Debra Hauser, President

This year, after 14 dynamic and visionary years at the helm of Advocates for Youth, James Wagoner stepped down as President and Executive Director. His vision, commitment and passion set the organization on a bold path as a champion for the sexual health and rights of young people the world over.

In January 2012, with great excitement and a strong sense of commitment, I took over the leadership of the organization after serving as Executive Vice President during the entirety of James’ tenure. His mentorship and vision continues to be a great gift to me. One of the goals of any good leadership transition must be to strike the right balance between ensuring stability and breaking new ground.

Advocates’ mission remains relevant and inspirational. The organization will continue to be a bold and innovative voice promoting a rights-based, evidence-informed, positive approach to youth sexual health. A cornerstone to our vision is the authentic partnerships we have with young people. The entire organization is committed to empowering youth as activists and leaders. Advocates champions youth leadership not just as a pathway to healthy adolescent development but as a strategy for changing the world. 

Help us realize our vision:  donate to Advocates today.

My name is Urooj, and I lead Advocates for Youth’s efforts to help young people fight homophobia and transphobia abroad. In too many countries around the globe, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth face discrimination that threatens their lives and their access to sexual and reproductive health care and HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment.

I recently traveled to Uganda to train a group of LGBT youth activists and allies. We had to identify a “safe space” to meet because just meeting is an act of resistance. Uganda is one of 78 countries where homosexuality is a crime. Policy makers have proposed a bill to make Uganda the eighth country where homosexuality is punishable by death.

Donate today to help raise $5,000 to support brave LGBT youth activists who are fighting harassment and life-threatening laws around the globe. Donate today and you can be an ally in places like Nigeria, Jamaica and Uganda where LGBT youth activists face intimidation, imprisonment or worse.

Advocates for Youth provides training and seed grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 to organizations overseas to keep the doors open at their youth-led resource centers. These centers provide support and encouragement to LGBT youth, many of whom have nowhere else to turn in communities where it is not safe to be who they are.

Donate today in honor of our youth activists who put nothing less than their lives on the line all year long. Your gift today supports their work and lets them know they are not alone.

With thanks for your activism and support all year long,

Urooj Arshad

International LGBT Health and Rights

In Uganda, a terrifying “anti-homosexuality” bill has resurfaced within parliament for discussion. At its worst, it would call for putting LGBT people to death. In addition, it would demand a three-year prison sentence for people who do not turn in “known homosexuals” to the police, and a seven year sentence for “aiding and abating” homosexuality.

When the bill was last introduced, human rights and LGBT rights groups were horrified, and many governments condemned it. Pressure from around the globe led to its never being voted on. We need to put that pressure on again NOW.

• Let Uganda’s parliament and the world know you join with the millions who condemn this bill by tweeting about it today. 
• Then sign a petition urging Uganda’s President to veto the bill if it passes.

This week,  several Advocates staff and youth activists are at the ICPD Global Youth Forum.  We had to share this recap that Advocates' Director of Public Policy Janine Kossen sent to staff!

Hi all, I just wanted to let you know that International Youth Leadership Council member Meredith was ah-mazing at the Global Youth Forum this morning (last night for you all). If you don't know, she was chosen among thousands of youth applicants to be the youth respondent for a plenary session, sitting right next to the Indonesian Minister of Health! I mean, you can't get much fancier than that! And she really did knock it out of the park. Tons of folks on the #icpdyouth twitterverse raved about her speech, hundreds of young people applauded her every word, and she was clearly the star of the plenary.

Meanwhile, we have a strong delegation of 11 Advocates-affiliated folks here, counting Meredith, Kike and Tope from Nigeria, Abongwa and Gaston from Cameroon, Liz (former IYLC, now with USAID), and staff and board. From youth respondents to virtual facilitators to steering committee members to rock star delegates, Advocates is really visible here thanks to all our amazing youth activists. And, it's just day ONE so there's lots more visibility to come.Stay tuned and check out live feeds (remember it is +13 hours time difference here).