Open Letter: SNEP National Task Force
Washington, DC (December 4th, 2023) – The Youth Pride Association (YPA), a national nonprofit working to address the disparities LGBTQ youth face in schools, attended the first annual SNEP National Task Force last week. YPA was joined by other LGBTQ organizations, educators, librarians, school officials, and stakeholders in the three day deliberations.
Joint statement from the SNEP National Task Force:
For three days a group of 25+ individuals from California to New York and from Fort Lauderdale to Albany, representing nonprofit organizations, learning institutions, state agencies, and other entities gathered in Washington, DC to address the root causes behind an educational system struggling to meet the needs of marginalized students, specifically LGBTQIA+ students.
Curriculum and creating safe and welcoming environments were discussed, along with “parental rights”, capacity building, and a host of other issues. Central to it all was considering how we get to a place where the human dignity of all people is universally accepted and protected.
This was but a first meeting of a nascent group of committed people representing organizations with a deep commitment to education and social justice. We recognize that the LGBTQIA+ community exists in every community on this planet, no group, no nation is without representation. That gives us access to all communities, even those who protest against us. It demonstrates the value of our intersectionality and our potential for being a bridge between diverse peoples in service to those in our community.
All was discussed in the name of furthering education at all levels. The next Task Force meeting will take place on April 14th, following the Stonewall National Education Project Symposium, running from April 11-14. We hope you will consider joining our effort, for the community, for our families, for our young people.
Signed by the Task Force Members
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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