Advocates for Youth supports the rights of young people everywhere to live free from discrimination, violence, and fear. Young Palestinians must have the economic, social, and political power to exercise their bodily autonomy and self determination. 

Advocates for Youth applauds the introduction of the Health Equity and Access under the Law (HEAL) for Immigrant Families Act. The bill was introduced this morning  by Representative Pramila Jayapal and Senator Cory Booker with over 80 original cosponsors, and is endorsed by over 250 organizations who believe in the importance of accessible health care for all. 

The Resolution works to replace an outdated and ineffective National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month to better provide young people with complete, accurate, and inclusive sexual health information and access to sexual and reproductive health care services, empowering them to make healthy decisions for themselves and promoting healthy lifelong attitudes toward sex, health, and reproductive rights.

“Within 13 seconds of arriving on the scene, the police officer had fired the shots that killed Ma’Khia. The policing of Black communities is a threat to young Black lives, and it’s past time for policy makers and youth-serving professionals to acknowledge that - and to take radical action to fight that threat."

These days, weeks, and years are hard - from watching the prosecution blame George Floyd’s death on anything but the police officer who killed him, to the killings of Adam Toledo and Daunte Wright by police, to the frequent reports that there has been another killing, another officer unpunished, another protest met with even more brutality from the state. These guilty verdicts help a little - but it isn’t enough. It’s far from enough.  

"Transgender young people have the right to lead healthy lives. They have the right to supportive and safe environments, and to full participation in activities, including sports.  The fact is we are all privileged to know the young trans and non binary people in our lives. It is our responsibility  to do everything we can to make our world safer and more welcoming for gender expansive youth," said Debra Hauser, President, Advocates for Youth.