Many of you have been following us as we take a journey with Faith Shepherd - the 17 year-old out lesbian from Central Islip who won Homecoming King at her school this fall!
Faith ran - and won by a landslide - to raise awareness around transgender youth rights. Faith knows that being an out lesbian afforests her more privlige, a safer school experience & less risk when compared with her transgender peers. So she decided to create a space where any youth could come out as they are - whether they be male, female, cisgender, transgender or gender queer.
Since then, a controversy erupted as some adults in the community didnt like Faith's move. They asked that her move be banned, and that the school district create a policy banning youth from running for positions that didnt match their gender marker, because what she did broke tradition.
In November, we honored Faith at our 20th Anniversary Celebration as Long Islands first LGBTQ youth center, and our Social Worker Erin cultivated a relationship with Faith, advocating with her when needed. They were even on the news live!
In January and February Pride for Youth spoke to the Central Islip Board of Education asking them not to enact such a policy. Even the ACLU came along to show support and explain how the proposed policy violates Title XI, the NYS Constitution, The First Amendment & The Dignity for All Students Act.
At the meeting on Monday, TONS of Faiths friends, students, community members and parents flooded the Board of Education with testimonials asking them NOT to do this. Some people even spoke out in opposition of Faith's move. But in the end, the school board decided not to adopt the discriminatory policy! Even the Homecoming Queen, Valerie Baez spoke out!
Pride for Youth is proud and honored to take this exciting journey with Faith - and we will keep you posted on updates! Faith will be marching with us in the Long Island Pride Parade this June, and will be coming to Coffeehouse soon! Faith wanted to say 'Thank You' for all your support - please check out her video here!
