Acceptance Week: a Resounding Success
Simi Valley, CA (March 22nd, 2022) – The Youth Pride Association's inaugural Acceptance Week program was a resounding success. The program works to model a safe and affirming campus climate for LGBTQ students in high schools through education, support, and advocacy. The pilot program was operated at Royal High School (RHS) from February 28th to March 4th.
All 101 pride flags provided for the program were hung in classrooms at RHS. The flags were optional for teachers to hang in their classrooms, however, the flags were still in very high demand with flags running out on the first day. Nearly 70 pride flags are still hanging in classrooms at RHS. All 100 SAFE space stickers were also distributed to classrooms at RHS.
Students were given the option to provide anonymous open feedback for the program. The following are quotes are from students:
"I hope this can be done yearly at our school, it was really needed and very informative," said a junior student at Royal High School.
"Such a great program!! I’m so glad it was such a success," said a senior student at Royal High School.
“While there was some hateful and misinformed outcry from a very small minority of Simi Valley community members, the reception of the Acceptance Week program at Royal High School from students, parents, teachers, faculty, and administrators was overwhelmingly positive,” said Cameron Bartosiewicz, President at the Youth Pride Association. “The program was an outstanding success, exceeding all metrics and expectations. This program had a positive impact on reducing the disparities LGBTQ students face in schools. The data speaks for itself, the Acceptance Week program is effective in creating a safe and accepting environment for LGBTQ students in high schools."
With the success of the pilot program, the Acceptance Week program is set to expand operations in high schools across the country in the coming 2022-2023 academic year.
About Youth Pride Association
The Youth Pride Association (YPA) is a national nonprofit organization working to promote and foster the acceptance of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) people in educational institutions. YPA works to address the adversities LGBTQ youth face in schools through education, support, and advocacy.
Youth Pride Association's President, Cameron Bartosiewicz, is available for interviews.
(949) 755-7694
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