Project THRIVE is a multi-year national campaign of organizations that collaborate to create more equitable, inclusive support systems and communities for LGBTQ youth. The Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Youth Well-Being newsletter is a benefit to past Time to THRIVE attendees as well as current Project THRIVE members. This month’s newsletter features HRC's celebration of Black History Month, our February webinar, Welcoming Schools National Day of Reading, and article about Illinois signing gender affirming care in law, a Time to THRIVE recap, and highlights from President Biden's State of the Union address.
HRC Celebrates Black History Month and Highlights Black Resistance
“Our Resistance is the Pilot Light” is how artist Kah Yangni sees Black History. HRC celebrates Black History Month with the theme Black Resistance Lights the Way. To that end, HRC has collaborated with Kah, a visual artist based out of Philadelphia, in order to create a shirt to commemorate Black History Month 2023. Black people represent the power of community and the power of resistance. To quote HRC president Kelley Robinson, “Black people in this country have resisted all forms of repression and oppression from America’s earliest days to the present, seeking to live lives without fear and full of joy.”
Join us on Thursday, February 23th from 4:00 - 5:00 PM ET for our monthly Project THRIVE webinar. The webinar, “Decision 20??,” will be facilitated by Ralph Jones who serves as Youth Well-Being Program Manager and will feature a panel of diverse educational professionals and youth with lived experience. This webinar will highlight the challenges that LGBTQ+ youth face when picking a college that affirms their identity and meets their academic ambitions. This webinar is co-hosted by the National Association of College Admissions Counselors and HRC’s HBCU program.
Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week is Just Around the Corner!
Join us in honoring Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week (ASAW) from February 19th - 25th, 2023. ASAW is an annual, international event meant to spread awareness and acceptance of aromantic spectrum identities.
Aromanticism is a romantic orientation defined as people whose experience of romance is disconnected from normative societal expectations. Often there is little to no romantic attraction or in romantic relationships.
Illinois Signs Protections for Gender-Affirming Care into Law
Some lawmakers across America are seeing the vision of advancing LGBTQ+ equality by signing protections for gender-affirming care into law! Signed by Illinois Governor Pritzker and HB 4664 sponsors, State Senator Celina Villanueva and State Representative Kelly Cassidy. The bill will protect healthcare providers in the state who provide gender-affirming care and reproductive healthcare, as well as protecting providers from being targeted from other states who outlaw the same care.
The Time to THRIVE in the Deep South Summit has wrapped up in the city of Atlanta, Georgia this past weekend. The regional summit emphasized the unprecedented attacks on LGBTQ+ youth and youth serving professionals in the deep South.
With over nearly 20 workshops, numerous panels, networking, and a Drag Story Hour, the event, attended by nearly 200 educators and youth-serving professionals, was a big success! Over the two days changemakers from intersecting communities mobilized together for a common and bigger purpose, which is building a safer and affirming future for LGBTQ+ youth to THRIVE!
The summit was attended by educators and youth serving professionals from across the region. Thank you to our participants, speakers, exhibitors, and volunteers for your commitment to making the lives of LGBTQ+ youth better and envisioning a world where LGBTQ+ youth don’t simply survive, but THRIVE!
Save the Date! Time to THRIVE in the Mountain State
Are you ready? If not, then prepare to ready Time to THRIVE in the Mountain States happening April 14th-15th in Denver, Colorado. More details coming soon, please visit Time to Thrive
State of the Union: President Biden Highlights the Importance of Protecting Transgender Youth
During the State of the Union address, President Joe Biden made a point to highlight the importance of passing Pro-LGBTQ+ legislation. He put specific emphasis on the importance of protecting transgender youth urging Congress to pass the Equality Act. While the Biden Administration has an unparalleled record on advancing LGBTQ+ equality, countless state legislatures have continued to pass hundreds of anti-LGBTQ+ bills. HRC President Kelley Robinson highlighted the important role that the Biden Administration has played as a counterweight to the extremist rhetoric saying that, “we need our nation’s leaders to (continue to) show up and prove that collectively, we are greater than hate.”
If you or a person you know is thinking about harming themselves or needs to talk to someone — get immediate support. Use this link to the Trevor Project to connect via chat or text or call 1-866-488-7386.
