Colin G. Van Dyke’s Post

What actions can caring adults take to support LGBTQ+ youth at a time when a growing number of states are placing restrictions on inclusive services, relationships, and spaces? In 2023, we saw more than 500 anti-LGBT bills proposed in 47 states. Seventy-five were enacted into law. In this climate, more and more youth-serving programs have become afraid to openly offer support to LGBTQ+ young people and a lot of potential allies are unsure of what, if anything, they can do. That's why I created the "Ally: Verb" training series, which I'm releasing this week. This free online training is designed to provide guidance to educators, staff in youth-serving organizations, volunteers, policy makers, funders, and caring adults to take and support asset-driven approaches to interactions and relationship with LGBTQ+ young people in their lives. The first two modules in this 7-module series share why our actions as allies matter. They are now available at mentorist.org: • Research on the Lived Experience of LGBTQ+ Youth  • Anti-LGBT Laws and Policies: An Urgent Need for Each of us to Act Future modules highlight the importance of building assets of PRIDE in LGBTQ+ youth: Possibilities, Resilience, Identity, Development, and Engagement. Each contains research-informed tips and recommendations, videos, stories, and resources. Please feel free to share these free trainings with your professional network. You can also sign up on my website for email alerts when new modules are released. If you want to know more about these trainings, or how I can work directly with your organization to build your capacity for LGBTQ+ inclusion, don't hesitate to reach out. https://lnkd.in/gMXvrzBF

What is a Possibility Model, and why do LGBTQ+ young people need Possibility Models now more than ever? The vast majority of LGBTQ+ youth don't grow up in families with other LGBTQ+ people. Many of us come out in isolation. We have to seek resources, connections, and supports outside our families and communities of origin to understand what our lives could look like. As a caring adult—especially in this current political climate—you can make a difference in LGBTQ+ young people's lives by becoming a Possibility Model. By sharing your lived experience, and how you have overcome adversity in your own life, you can offer them one potential example of what life can be like as they grow up.  Your affirming words and actions can help to connect them with visions of a more hopeful future — and help them unlearn negative ways they might see themselves. Today, Mentorist is releasing my new free self-paced course for caring adults, youth-serving organizations, and educators: "Supporting Possibilities in LGBTQ+ Youth." In the course, you'll learn: - Stories and research about LGBTQ+ young people's hopes and fears - Supportive actions you can take in your relationships with LGBTQ+ youth, including being an LG for LGBTQ+ youth, serving as a Possibility Model, and helping with Goal Setting  - Additional Resources if you want to learn more In the coming weeks, I will release four more modules in my Assets of PRIDE series on strengthening Resilience, Identity, Development, and Engagement. Visit my webpage, and subscribe to my mailing list to receive an email when each new module comes out. If you want to know more about these trainings, or how I can work directly with your organization to build your capacity for inclusion, please reach out!

Over the first three and a half weeks of 2024, 341 anti-LGBT bills have been proposed in states across the country. If enacted into law, these bills may harm an entire generation of young people. Research shows us that, every 45 seconds, an LGBTQ+ young person attempts suicide. These new bills don't just fail to respond to this ongoing crisis. Many would restrict our ability to provide safe and supportive services, spaces, and relationships to young people at a time that support can mean the difference between life and death. My new training “Anti-LGBT Laws: An Urgent Need to Act” takes a closer look at how these new bills change -- either directly or indirectly -- how young people access care and support. This new module also highlights ways that your community, program, school, or organization might be impacted. I invite you to share these free trainings with your professional network and other caring adults who want to support LGBTQ+ youth amid this crisis. In the coming weeks, I will release five more free modules at mentorist highlighting action you can take to strengthen protective assets in LGBTQ+ young people. There, you can subscribe to my mailing list to receive an email when each new module is released. I'll also post about each new release on LinkedIn. https://lnkd.in/gMXvrzBF

Friendly reminder: LGBTQ+ young people deserve to feel safe and respected in school 🌈 That’s why we created our guide for Creating Safe Spaces in School for LGBTQ+ Young People, aimed at giving allies resources to signal to LGBTQ+ young people that you are a safe person to turn to. While the majority of young people spend most of their waking hours in school, the education system can be a challenging place to navigate and explore identity for LGBTQ+ young people — especially if they experience harassment, discrimination, and lack of support &  resources. Our allies provide important support for LGBTQ young people, especially in the face of increased marginalization. It’s up to teachers, administrators, and fellow students to find ways to show support, because the costs can be devastating. Read our full guide below ⬇️ #TheTrevorProject #BackToSchool #SafeSpaces #LGBTQ #ProtectTransKids

With the new itgetsbetter.org, we set out to make the safety of LGBTQ+ youth our top priority. That's why we introduced the "Safe Exit" button! We know it's not safe or accepted for everybody to browse LGBTQ+ content at home or school. So we added a floating "Safe Exit" button on every page of our new site. When you click or tap the Safe Exit button, a new tab opens directly to Google. The tab you were originally browsing on also automatically changes to Google. And no worries - if the "back" button is clicked, it won't go back to our site, either. Having a safe space to feel more confident learning about identity is critical for LGBTQ+ youth — even if they are in safe environments. We want all LGBTQ+ young people to be able to navigate their journey at their own pace, free from fear of judgment or retaliation. #itgetsbetter #lgbtqresources #queeryouth #lgbtqyouth #newwebsite #education

Trigger Warning: sensitive content 52% of LGBTQ+ youth in America have been bullied because of their sexual orientation. What's more, almost 2 in 5 LGBTQ+ youth said they don’t think schools in America are safe environments for LGBTQ+ students. Our latest data has uncovered alarming rates of unreported bullying of LGBTQ+ students in US schools, with many not feeling safe or accepted by teachers. So far almost 500 names have been added in support of making schools safe for LGBTQ+ students. Will you help us hit 1,000? Add your name: bit.ly/safe-place-to-learn #LGBTQYouthUK #InclusiveEducation #SafeSchools #LGBTQSupport #LGBTQ #LGBT #Pride #Pride2024 #PrideMonth2024

Do you have an LGBTQ+ client, child, sibling, niece, nephew that you want to support? Do you have questions around gender, sexuality, or the LGBTQ+ community? Join one·n·ten for our July 19 community training: Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth. This event is open to all parents, family members, community leaders, or any trusted adults who have LGBTQ+ youth in their life that they want to support. https://lnkd.in/ejshCwDa In this training, we will discuss basic LGBTQ+ concepts; tease apart the differences between gender identity, gender expression, and sexuality; learn best practices for creating an inclusive environment; and discover available community resources for LGBTQ+ youth. Come join us to learn, ask questions, and build community in an interactive and comprehensive workshop. 

"How do you know if it's safe to come out at home?" "What do you think about trans women competing in women's sports?" "Can you be religious and LGBTQ+ e.g. Catholic, Muslim, Jewish?" I've had the pleasure of going into Latymer Upper School over the last few months to work with students from all year groups, age 11-18, on how to navigate the world as a LGBTQ+ young person at school, and on how everyone can be supportive friends and allies to LGBTQ+ peers. The students' questions (above) show they are thinking about these issues and want to learn about them. Online spaces like X and TikTok are often polarised and full of feelings disguised as facts, so it is more important than ever to create informed, balanced and kind spaces where they can learn about LGBTQ+ identities and issues, particularly how to behave humanely if you aren't LGBTQ+ yourself. I love doing this work!! #lgbtq #inclusion #education #transally #comingout

It’s LGBTQ+ History Month! Over the years the Historical Association has started to gather a selection of articles, resources and podcasts that explore LGBTQ+ histories in the UK and sometimes in other cultures. For LGBTQ+ History Month 2024 we have brought together some articles and resources and we are in the process of commissioning some more that we hope to bring you later in the year. After all, the month is the start of an opportunity, not the end of the discussion. Not only is LGBTQ+ history often unfamiliar to many groups, but the fact that the language around sexuality and gender identification has changed across time, in different cultures and with different levels of exclusion, legal constraint and societal acceptance means that it has frequently been hidden or ignored. Click the link below to find a range a resources for primary and secondary students as well as general resources: https://buff.ly/4blVLrm #LGBTQ+history #PrideHistory #HAResources

🌈 Happy Pride Month 🌈 This month is a celebration of love, acceptance, and the vibrant diversity of the LGBTQ+ community. It's also a crucial reminder of the steps we must take toward a more inclusive society in the UK. ⚫ Education & Awareness: Promote understanding and dispel myths through workshops, training, and open conversations. ⚫ Supportive Workplaces: Implement policies that protect and support LGBTQ+ employees, including anti-discrimination measures and inclusive benefits. ⚫ Visibility & Representation: Amplify LGBTQ+ voices in media, politics, and business to foster a culture of acceptance and normalcy. ⚫ Community Engagement: Support LGBTQ+ organisations and events to strengthen community bonds and offer safe spaces. Let's commit to these actions not just in June, but every day, to ensure everyone feels valued and respected. #PrideMonth #Pride #LGBTQ #EDI #Inclusivity #Acceptance #LoveIsLove