PRIDE FOR YOUTH & FAITH SHEPHERD SCORE A VICTORY FOR GENDER NON-CONFORMING STUDENTS!

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!

Faith Shepherd & Pride for Youth fight for Transgender Youth Visibility!

Check this amazing video!

Long Island girl elected homecoming king challenges gender-specific policy at school: Long Island girl elected homecoming king challenges gender-specific policy at school

Pride for Youth is very lucky to be able to support Faith Shepherd, the 17 year old lesbian from Central Islip who won Homecoming King in her journey to raise awareness for transgender rights!

We have been supporting Faith from the beginning...we even honored her way before all the controversy began at our 20th Anniversary Celebration this past fall!


Check out Faith and our Social Worker Erin on the WPIX morning news discussing the issue! And stay tuned - Faiths journey isn't over yet!

Film Star Heather Matarazzo to Celebrate PFY's 20th Anniversary!

This Friday is the 20th Anniversary of Pride for Youth!

 

This Friday Pride for Youth celebrates it's 20th Anniversary at The Crescent Beach Club in Bayville, Long Island!

Did you know that Pride for Youth was the first LGBTQ youth program on Long Island?

Did you know that Pride for Youth was the first suburban program for LGBTQ youth in the COUNTRY?!

We are so proud to celebrate 20 years of ground breaking achievements with Long Island LGBTQ youth that we are having a special fundraising celebration to recognize some of these achievements! We will also be honoring Faith Shepherd, a local lesbian youth and Transgender advocate, and we will be joined by Heather Matarazzo, out lesbian, Independent Spirit Award winner for film and Keynote speaker!

Even Newsday wanted to spread the word! Tickets available until 5pm Friday, Nov. 14th by calling 516-826-0244 or at http://pfy20th.karma411.com/ !

Fios TV highlights Pride for Youth & Cyberbullying!

Pride for Youth and Fios cable teamed up to bring you information on cyberbullying- something that affects millions of teens every day, all around the world.

Fios came to Pride for Youth to film a workshop on cyberbullying presented by Laura, our Community Education Specialist a from our parent agency Long Island Crisis Center! LICC offers free 24/7/365 crisis hotline at 516-679-1111 or www.licconline.org.

 Laura travels to local middle and high schools as well as colleges to educate young people about the dangers of cyberbullying and how to deal with it. Fios also profiled one of our young people who is transgender and has been the victim of cyberbullying. Push play to hear his story, check out our workshop and learn more!

If you are an educator looking to book one of our free workshops, you can give us a call as 516-679-9000 and ask for Meredith! We offer free workshops in cyberbullying, self-injury, homophobia, transphobia, working with LGBTQ youth, anger management and more!

And if you are being cyberbullied or just need someone to talk to you can call us 24/7/365 at 516-679-1111, chat us at www.licconline.org or text LICC to 839863 from 7-9 pm to talk to a counselor. Pride for Youth also offers free, confidential counseling to LGBTQ youth. Call 516-679-9000 for more information and check us out on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram!

Three Little Girls Raise BIG Money for Pride for Youth!

Pride for Youth serves LGBTQ young people of all ages - and our services are free! So imagine our surprise when we received a HUGE donation from 3 young girls - sisters age 8, 10 and 12.

The granddaughters of one of our long-time supporters Sandy (who was also one of the founders of the Long Island Pride Parade!) fund raised over $350 for Pride for Youth! Proof that even the smallest of voices can be heard!

The girls took the PFY literature from their Grandmothers room and without telling her made a sign to fund raise for Pride for Youth! The sisters sold lemonade and goodies to make the money!

Thank you so much to all of you! Our young people made tons of 'Thank You' cards for the young girls that are in the mail with PFY t-shirts, bracelets and more! They made our day, so we wanted to make yours! 

If you or a group you belong to ever want to donate to Pride for Youth, you can do so here!