ALMOST THERE: Pride Series 2021
Jun, 04, 2021
***TW: this post contains non-graphic descriptions of mental health issues, suicide, and violence specifically within the queer community***
Happy LGBTQ+ Pride Month! ALMOST THERE unequivocally supports the queer community, and we are so excited to celebrate Pride with all of you. For those of you who don’t know the history of Pride, June marks an important month for the LGBTQ+ community as celebrations are held all over the United States honoring the queer community and commemorating the historic Stonewall riots. Although Pride Month is a celebration, it is also very much a political event protesting the unjust treatment of queer community. ALMOST THERE would like to highlight 6 organizations EVERY WEEK for the entire month of June! We are committed to researching and expanding our knowledge and your knowledge on the various initiatives and missions that these organizations uphold in order to better support our LGBTQ+ family!
The Trevor Project is a national organization “providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning young people under 25.” This organization addresses an issue that has a huge and devastating impact on the queer community. “LGBTQ young people are four times more more likely to attempt suicide than their peers.” The Trevor Project provides a variety of services from crisis interventions through the Trevor Lifeline, Trevor Chat, and Trevor Text to suicide prevention trainings and resources.
For more information, please visit https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
This organization is very near and dear to our hearts. For Pride Month, 10% of all proceeds from ALMOST THERE will be donated to the Trevor Project!!
2. GLSEN
The Gay, Lesbian, & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) is an organization founded by teachers who wanted to create safe and “affirming learning environments for LGBTQ youth.” They conduct massive amounts of research in order to better advise and advocate for “comprehensive policies designed to protect LGBTQ students as well as students of marginalized identities.” Since it’s inception, GLSEN has fought discriminatory policy in over 15 states, has expanded into 43 chapters across 30 states, and has grown into a network of more than 1.5 million people.
For more information, please visit https://www.glsen.org/
3. Trans Women of Color Collective
The Trans Women of Color Collective (TWOCC) “was created to cultivate economic and affirming spaces for trans people of color and our families, to foster kinship, build community engage in healing and restorative justice through arts, culture, media, advocacy and activisim.” This organization increases access of resources to the most disproportionately impacted. Their work includes initiatives such as “Our Community Teach Ins”, Survival funds, Education funds, and Wellness funds.
For more information, please visit https://www.twocc.us/#
It wouldn’t be right if we didn’t include a local organization in our list! The Los Angeles LGBT Center “provides services for more LGBT people than any other organization in the world.” Their services and programs cover four categories: Health, Social Services and Housing, Culture and Education, Leadership and Advocacy. The Center has more than half a million visitors each year, and all of their services are accessible to everyone and free or low-cost.
For more information, please visit https://lalgbtcenter.org/
“The It Gets Better Project is a global non profit that reaches millions of young people each year through inspiring media programming, education resources, international affiliates in 20 countries plus the United States, and access to an arsenal of community based service providers.” The It Gets Better Project uses Storytelling and Community Building in order to uphold it’s mission: “to uplift, empower, and connect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) youth around the globe.”
For more information, please visit https://itgetsbetter.org/
The Transgender Law Center (TLC) is “the largest trans-specific, trans-led organization in the United States.” TLC has set precedent in a number of litigation victories across numerous areas (employment, education, healthcare, immigration, and prison conditions) in their effort to advance transgender and gender nonconforming people’s rights. Aside from legal advocacy, TLC organizes community programs that “assists, informs, and empowers thousands” of individuals.
For more information, please visit https://transgenderlawcenter.org
Thank you so much for reading! We hope you for this post informative, and we can't wait for you to read about some new organizations next week!!
XOXO
Miranda Le & Stella Patel
ALMOST THERE