LGBT Youth Allies provides news, commentary and resources for all who care about the rights, safety, and well-being of LGBT youth and their allies. Have a suggestion? Please send it along. … [Read more...]
Marriage Equality Momentum in the U.S. and Abroad
Posted on May 17, 2013
[See the end of this post for May 20 updates.] In light of some recent encouraging poll numbers on marriage equality, I’ve updated a March 27 post that summarizes data from a series of 2013 surveys on the issue. You can find that update here: 2013 Polls: At Least Two Thirds of Young Americans Support Marriage Equality. Of course, the recent good news on marriage hasn't come only from the polls. Just this month, three states—Delaware, Minnesota, and Rhode Island—have enacted … [Read more...]
Too Young to Be Straight?
Posted on May 15, 2013
As it becomes more common for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth and their allies to form gay-straight alliances (GSAs) in middle schools, some adults have reacted with confusion, consternation, or outrage, insisting that middle school students are too young to know their sexual orientation or at least too young to disclose it. As discussed in an April post, for example, a member of Florida's Lake County School Board recently questioned the sexual orientation of an openly bisexual … [Read more...]
Fresh Content Coming Soon
Posted on May 9, 2013
We're busy with site maintenance and related projects this week, but we'll be back with fresh content in just a few days. Thanks for visiting! MK … [Read more...]
Gay-Straight Alliance Updates: Lake County, Polk County & Fort Worth
Posted on May 4, 2013
We've got three updates this weekend about gay-straight alliances and safe-schools efforts in Texas and Florida, including information on how you can speak out for LGBT youth and their allies in the ongoing controversy in Lake County. … [Read more...]
Lake County School Board Member Questions 14-Year-Old Student’s Sexual Orientation
Posted on April 29, 2013
A member of Florida's Lake County School Board questioned the sexual orientation of a fourteen-year-old student in his district in an email sent last Friday. A 2012 message from federal Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. The Lake County School Board should listen. The Board member's disturbing comment came in a written exchange with musician, blogger and LGBT-youth advocate Katy Bourne, who had sent an open letter to two members of the Lake County School Board criticizing their … [Read more...]
The Latest LGBT-Equality Legislation: Info & Links
Posted on April 26, 2013
As some readers are likely aware, members of Congress have recently introduced important legislation affecting the LGBT community. I hope to blog more in-depth about the legislation in the near future. In the meantime, I've added a page about federal legislation to the Resources section of this website. This new page, which I'll continue to expand, now includes basic information about the Student Non-Discrimination Act, the Safe Schools Improvement Act, and the Employment Non-Discrimination … [Read more...]
John Paulk & Progress in the Struggle Against So-Called “Reparative” Therapy
Posted on April 25, 2013
Though it took a long time, John Paulk—one of the most famous self-proclaimed "ex-gays" in recent history—has finally renounced the "ex-gay" movement and apologized for his past support of so-called "reparative" therapy. Paulk enjoyed the media's spotlight on "ex-gay" issues for several years, particularly when he appeared with his wife Anne on the cover of Newsweek in 1998. LGBT advocates, journalists and bloggers, as well as "ex-gay" activists, have all known for some time that Paulk … [Read more...]
Can and Should Middle Schools Allow Gay-Straight Alliances?
Posted on April 25, 2013
Under the federal Equal Access Act, public high schools must allow students to form gay-straight alliances (GSAs) if the schools receive federal funds and allow any other extracurricular clubs on campus. The First Amendment provides similar protections. But as students in younger grades increasingly speak out for LGBT equality, a new issue arises: Do public middle school students have a legal right to form GSAs too? Courts haven't directly addressed the issue, making it difficult to give … [Read more...]
Updated: The Boy Scouts’ Proposed Policy on Gays: Questions and Answers
Posted on April 23, 2013
This post, published on April 23rd and updated on May 22nd, tackles some basic issues concerning the Boy Scouts of America's (BSA's) current policy on sexual orientation and a proposed policy change. Click here to read the new questions added on May 22nd (you can then click on any question to read the answer). Under the proposed policy change, which members of the National Council will vote on tomorrow (May 23rd), the BSA would replace its longstanding ban on openly gay Scouts with a policy of … [Read more...]
Joe Bell Set to Begin Epic Journey Across the U.S.
Posted on April 19, 2013
Joe Bell sets out tomorrow from La Grande, Oregon, on an ambitious journey: He will walk from Oregon to New York to raise awareness about bullying and to support anti-bullying programs. Joe will also share the story of his openly gay son Jadin, who died earlier this year. You can follow and support Joe's Walk for Change through the website of Faces for Change, an organization that supports anti-bullying efforts. Jadin Bell's family and friends formed the organization in Jadin's memory and … [Read more...]
Thumbs Up for Gay Youth in Boy Scouts, Thumbs Down for Gay Leaders?
Posted on April 19, 2013
Breaking news: In a surprising (and strange) move, the Boy Scouts of America is reportedly considering a policy to allow gay youth but not gay adult leaders. According to the Washington Post and other sources, a resolution proposed by the national organization—which still needs to receive approval at a May meeting of national council members before going into effect—provides that "no youth may be denied membership in the Boy Scouts of America on the basis of sexual orientation or … [Read more...]
In Their Own Words: Students Who Fought for the Right to Support LGBT Youth
Posted on April 19, 2013
Best wishes to students across the country and world as they observe the Day of Silence today. Among those participating is Lambda Legal client Maverick Couch. Last year, after Maverick's Ohio school prohibited him from wearing a t-shirt that said "Jesus Is Not a Homophobe,” Lambda Legal brought a free-speech suit on Maverick's behalf. Lambda Legal won the case when the school district and principal agreed to a court judgment affirming Maverick's right to wear the shirt on any day he … [Read more...]
Audio of Court Arguments Available in California Conversion-Therapy Case
Posted on April 18, 2013
Audio recordings are now available on-line for the oral arguments heard by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals yesterday in the cases involving California's new conversion-therapy law. The law, not yet in effect, would ban state-licensed professionals from engaging in sexual-orientation conversion therapy with minors. I will post some comments on the issues later on. In the meantime, readers interested in hearing the details of the legal arguments can follow this link (first half of argument) … [Read more...]
The Day of Silence is Almost Here
Posted on April 17, 2013
The Day of Silence is this Friday! Best wishes to all those who are participating. It's not too late to get involved: For a compilation of resources, click the Events & Days of Action section on LGBT Youth Allies' rapidly expanding Resources page, or visit www.dayofsilence.org. By the way, if you have suggestions for our Resources page, send them along! MK … [Read more...]
Another Teen Places Eagle Scout Status at Risk to Fight Anti-Gay Policy
Posted on April 15, 2013
Yet another brave teen has placed his membership in the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) at risk by coming out as gay and speaking out against the organization's anti-gay policy. Sixteen-year-old Pascal Tessier, who is close to earning the Eagle Scout honor, also recently organized a protest against the BSA's policy. As this local story from a Maryland television station reports, Tessier's "honesty could get him booted out of the organization." … [Read more...]
Did Firing of U.K. Teacher for his Anti-Gay Comments Violate his Rights?
Posted on April 12, 2013
A court in London has upheld a decision banning school teacher Robert Haye from teaching for at least two years. The case arose after Mr. Haye told a class of 15- to 16-year-old students that gay people live "disgusting" lives. He told an even younger class that "anyone who worships on Sunday is basically worshiping the devil." Mr. Haye belongs to the Seventh-day Adventist Church, which observes Saturday as the Sabbath. Mr. Haye said in response to the court decision that "Christians are … [Read more...]
Updated Questions & Answers about the Boy Scouts’ Policy on Sexual Orientation
James Dale The Boy Scouts' National Council votes this week on proposed changes to the organization's discriminatory membership policy regarding sexual orientation. For an in-depth look at the issues, check out this newly updated post: The Boy Scouts' Proposed Policy on Gays: Questions and Answers. MK … [Read more...]