lgbt organizations

Selfish Giving by author Anne Tenino

February 17, 2012 By Brandon Leave a Comment

Guest Post by Anne Tenino

By nature, I’m a very giving person. Just this morning, someone cut me off in traffic and I gave him the finger. I don’t really think that’s the kind of giving Brandon wanted me to opine about, though. Let me start over. I’m a very giving person, although clearly I’m equal-opportunity about it; I’ll give you a hand if you need it, or the finger if you deserve it.

I’m a disorganized giver. I used to be an organized giver, but getting a long-term illness changed all of that. I’ll explain the difference in a bit, but first let me tell you something about my philosophy of giving.

I believe the giver always gets something out of a charitable act. In nearly every case, the giver gets the satisfaction of knowing they gave; of feeling like a “good person” for a while, or just knowing they are responsible for making someone’s life a bit better. In other cases, people and corporations get tax write-offs, or are assured that the cause they care about on a deep and personal level won’t die, or they get to have an experience they couldn’t have any other way. There are many more benefits of giving, I’m not going to go into them all here. These benefits are true (except the tax write-off) in both organized and disorganized giving. [Read more…] about Selfish Giving by author Anne Tenino

Facebook a danger to LGBT Youth?

January 19, 2012 By Brandon Leave a Comment

Back in September when Facebook started announcing and putting all their new changes into place, specifically the timeline, I had a talk with my online advisor. At that time we were discussing the fact that most LGBT Youth organizations do NOT communicate with teens through the medium they use most: their cell phone. In fact, most LGBT Youth organizations’ online info isn’t even accessible to at-risk teens if they aren’t sitting at a PC. Simply, website and contact info is nearly invisible if the organization’s website is not mobile friendly. (Or if they don’t have a mobile app.)

This came to light (to me) when I was trying to send some emergency contact info to an LGBT kid that needed immediate resources and help. I sent several of the most prominent national LGBT youth website URLs (and multiple local ones) only to have him tell me that he couldn’t read or access any of it on his cell phone. (The only thing available to him.) That’s a pretty big fail for LGBT Youth organizations, especially those trying to help homeless youth. If we can’t connect with the kids, how are we going to help? [Read more…] about Facebook a danger to LGBT Youth?

Helping LGBT Youth – January 2012

January 6, 2012 By Brandon 2 Comments

As many of you already know, I am a LGBT Youth advocate and donate half the proceeds from The Value of Rain to help two local nonprofit organizations whose dedication and goals match my own. Occasionally I post updates here about what they are doing and how they are affecting the LGBT Youth community. Considering the age of both of these organizations, what they have done in such a short time is nothing less than phenomenal, and it is exactly why they will continue to get my support. [Read more…] about Helping LGBT Youth – January 2012

Lost and Found Youth

November 18, 2011 By Brandon Leave a Comment

The Lost and Found Organization is a grass roots Atlanta based movement working to get LGBT kids off the street right now, at this very moment. It is still in its infancy, but it is already changing lives. Below is just one of the latest updates about what’s going on with the movement and with the organization. I am very proud to say that this is one of the nonprofits that benefits from sales of Rain and one of the very few I have ever worked with that is out there going to the kids instead of waiting for them to show up. This is the gay community helping lgbt youth. Read below how such simple acts of kindness change lives, perceptions and eventually… life outcomes. And please consider a donation. $20 gets one kid off the street for the night and gives him/her a warm bed, and the hope that tomorrow will be a better day.

FIRST – I am happy to report that the Lesbian couple and baby get to meet their GOSTER= Gay Foster Family tomorrow nite. If all goes well and they approve of each other, they will be moving in next week. [Read more…] about Lost and Found Youth

Our Youth Deserve Love & Respect

October 13, 2011 By Brandon 1 Comment

Guest post by by James Robinson, Director GLBT Advocacy & Youth Services

Young people need to know they are loved and that they have our support.

I believe those of us who have survived into adulthood have a responsibility to support and encourage youth who are struggling with many of the same issues we faced at their age. The fact that we understand these issues based on our personal experiences makes us uniquely qualified to provide this critical support. Our society is in a state of crisis brought about by a basis lack of love and respect for each other. Simply put, all people deserve love and respect regardless of any of the circumstances our society uses to segregate us into various sub-groups.

Fighting Bigotry and Hatred

My heart hurts each time I hear that another young person has committed suicide because they felt they were not important, less than human, sinful, ugly, or alone. Recently, after working all week dealing with local bullying issues and other concerns shared with me because of my work, I saw online that another young girl only 12 years old committed suicide here in Alabama. It is suspected that her death was caused by bullying. When I saw this I broke down, cried, called friends, and looked for personal support because I was tired and angry. How many of these beautiful young people have to die before we say as a society, “No More!”.

[Read more…]

PRIDE FOR YOUTH – SAVING LIVES IN THE SUBURBS

September 21, 2011 By Brandon Leave a Comment

Guest post by by Andrew J. Peters

Pride for Youth is a not-for-profit organization that is a service and an advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) teenagers. Located in Bellmore, NY, fifteen miles east of New York City, Pride for Youth serves Long Island, an area that is geographically diffuse and densely populated. The mission of the agency is to enhance the health, wellness and cultural competency of LGBT youth through education, supportive services and youth development.

It’s a cause that has been a central part of my personal and professional development. I started working there as a social work intern in 1994. As a fledgling initiative, we offered a safe place where kids could gather on a Sunday afternoon, and school-based LGBT-sensitivity workshops to outreach to isolated teens and combat prejudice and bullying.