Category Archives: LGBTQ

Education, LGBTQ

Fusion: Need for LGBTQ Inclusive Sex Ed in Del Norte’s Schools

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CRESCENT CITY, CA– Growing up queer in a remote Northern California town of just 7,500 people, I experienced firsthand how a rural school can fail to meet the needs of LGBTQ students. It’s a failure with dire consequences.

I experienced abuse in a relationship for the first time at age 13, in part because I lacked any knowledge of what it means to consent. And without healthy queer relationships to model, I presumed my partner’s manipulations were normal. Suffering abuse, dealing with intolerance in my community and lacking any institutional support to speak of, I developed some unhealthy coping mechanisms: I was self-medicating by age 14, and self-harming at 15. At the time, I hated myself and was feeling ashamed. In an attempt to leave Del Norte, I had my first experience in sex work at 16, with a man three times my age.

Sadly, this ripple effect is not altogether uncommon among LGBTQ youth, especially for those of us living in geographically and culturally isolated areas. When we don’t see ourselves reflected in the world around us, when we are systematically marginalized and when our very identities are painted as deviant, we can become that self-fulfilling prophecy.

California took a positive step toward addressing the problem with the passage of AB 329, otherwise known as the California Healthy Youth Act, late last year. The bill expanded on existing law to ensure that students will receive “comprehensive” sex education, including “affirmative” examples of same-sex relationships and education about gender identity.

But how will it actually play out in the classroom? If taken seriously and applied thoughtfully, the new law could make a huge difference in the lives of queer youth, especially those living in rural communities. So, I went to my local high school, Del Norte High, to ask queer students: What would you like to see covered in your new, “comprehensive” sex-ed classes?

Read the rest of the article here: http://fusion.net/story/284851/queer-lgbtq-sexed-ab329/

To read more about writer, Jacob Patterson and her Rise Up; Be Heard! Fellowship with Fusion, check out our article here: http://www.redwoodvoice.com/local-youth-journalist-selected-for-fusion-fellowship/

Health, LGBTQ

Get PINK with Gender Talk’s Women’s Health Celebration

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Do you know where you can access women’s health resources? Do you know where to direct a friend in need? Are you interested in learning more about local resources and women’s health issues? Gender Talk has a solution, and it comes in the form of a celebration. Gender Talk’s Pink Party is a fun, free event open to all ages and genders organized with the purpose of broadening interest in women’s health and youth development through performances, art, music, and presentations from your local health agencies.

Gender Talk is a community group housed at Coastal Connections that advocates for promoting gender and LGBTQ+ equality in addition to providing a safe space for discussion and creative outlets for local youth. Jacob Patterson, facilitator of Gender Talk states “Our goal is that with the Pink Party, we will bridge gaps between local services and maximize this opportunity not only to educate the community, but to allow agencies to network and learn about each other. We want to make it a fun event that makes health more approachable and that also makes talking about health issues less scary for people.”

The event will include live performances by Spare Change, a youth group with Planned Parenthood NorCal, in the form of educational skits on healthy relationships, gender equality, domestic violence, and bullying. Other presenters, booths, and guests include Building Healthy Communities, CASA, Del Norte Child Care Council, Del Norte High School’s new GSA, Expanding Youth Horizons, Harrington House, the Inter-Tribal Council of California, North Coast Rape Crisis Team, Open Door Community Health Center, Planned Parenthood, Redwood Voice, Tolowa Dee-Ni’ Nation, True North Organizing Network, Universal Heart Shamanic Drummers, Wild Rivers Community Foundation, Yurok Tribe, and more.

“Agencies don’t always have a venue to mingle and learn what each other is doing” Patterson says, “We want to break down health silos and perpetuate community discussion around health issues.” If you are an agency looking to educate the public about what you do, you are welcome to bring along any promotional materials (pamphlets, flyers, business cards, etc) to make available to attendees during the event at a local resources booth.

“Women’s health issues have impact on the community as a whole,” says Patterson, “At the Pink Party, you will have the opportunity to educate yourself, meet with groups whose services you may not have been aware of, and learn how to be an advocate by familiarizing yourself with services available. If someone in your life is in need, you will have names and face that you can refer them to.”

The Pink Party will take place Friday, February 19th from 5:00pm-8:00pm at the Veteran’s Hall 810 H St, Crescent City. There will be door prizes, catering by Bar-O Boys Ranch, music, and art. All are encouraged to attend! For any questions, visit Gender Talk on Facebook at facebook.com/GenderTalkCC

LGBTQ, Videos

Video: Quiltbags PLUS Campaign Launch

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This kickoff video for the Quiltbags PLUS campaign is a collaboration of Redwood Voice and Gender Talk in partnership with young people enrolled in the 2015 Youth Training Academy. The Quiltbags PLUS Campaign was designed by youth to address visibility and representation of marginalized individuals in the LGBTQ+ communities. The YTA was put on by Building Healthy Communities and California Center for Rural Policy in the Del Norte County and Adjacent Tribal Lands area.