Constant attacks on queer and trans youth at the state, local, and school board level are not only endangering queer and trans youth, they’re also creating a sense of hopelessness as harmful policies are enacted before many people even know what’s being debated. Young people are the target of these laws, and we are energized and ready to fight back!
- In Florida? We have organizers on the ground in Florida working to repeal the Don’t Say Gay and Stop WOKE Acts. See which signup is for you here.
Act Out! With Us
We’re ready to act out for equality, act out for justice, act out for our lives and the safety of our communities and our friends. Join our nationwide network of young people committed to taking action to stop the transphobic and homophobic laws sweeping our nation.
Advocates for Youth has been training youth activists on exactly that for decades! Join Act Out!, and then scroll down for how-to resources focused on launching walkouts, protests, and other direct actions supporting queer and trans youth.
Act Out Training Series
Our expert organizers train on an important organizing principle, and help you apply it to your town, school, campus, or state.
In October 2023, for LGBTQ History Month, trainings included:
- October 11th: Speak Out! A National Coming Out Day Training on Telling Your Story for LGBTQ Rights
- October 19th: What do you want? How to Demand Change for LGBTQ Youth and Win
In June 2023, for Pride Month, trainings included:
- June 1st: What do you want? How to Demand Change for LGBTQ Youth and Win
- June 6th: State Policy for LGBTQ Rights
- June 15th: Speaking Out for LGBTQ Rights: How to testify in spaces happening about us, without us
- June 22nd: Our Safety is in Our Hands – LGBTQ Organizing Under Restrictive Policy Environments
- June 29th: Putting It All Together: Training Review, FAQs, and Planning A Campaign for LGBTQ Rights in Your Community
Background: Understanding the Issue
In state legislative sessions in 2022 and 2023, a record number of bills targeting queer and transgender youth have been introduced - from book bans, to discriminatory bathroom laws, to bans on gender affirming care for youth and adults. As these bills become laws and go into effect, states across the country are becoming unsafe spaces for young people.
Getting Started: A History of LGBTQ+ Organizing
The hatred queer and trans people are facing is nothing new - we should remain grounded in the work LBGTQ+ activists have done before us as we fight for a better future.
Choosing Activism Goals
In some cases, you may want to organize to stop a homophobic or transphobic law that is being considered in your state, city or school. At other times, you may want to organize for proactive policies that support queer and trans youth. It’s important that you come together with others in your community or activist group to decide what exactly you are fighting for or against.
Creating a Strategy
Developing a strategy is an essential part of organizing because it helps you understand how each step you take will move you closer to winning your demands. A strategy can be defined as the method of building enough power to influence a decision maker to give you what you want.
Crafting Your Message
Media and storytelling have always been critical to LGBTQ+ organizing. Sympathetic news coverage drives public opinion; politicians are more likely to do something that the public supports, and are more likely to stop a bad policy if the public is against it.
Building Collective Power
People in power should do more to support LBGTQ+ youth, but too often they either actively cause harm or don’t act with courage in support of queer and trans youth. To make real change, we need to come together and demand more of institutions.