SMYAL - Supporting and Mentoring Youth Advocates and Leaders

SMYAL In the News


Both SMYAL and the LGBTQ youth we serve have been featured in a variety of news articles. Read on below to learn more about the work that we do.

Working to Build a Stronger Network for Youth.  Washington Blade.  May 2013.

Andrew Barnett Named "Best Gay Activist" in Best of D.C. 2013.  Washington City Paper.  April 2013

DC LGBT Youth Group Rebrands Itself.  Washington Blade.  April 2013.

DC Task Force to Release Anti-Bullying Recommendations.  Washington Blade.  January 2013.

Gray Announces New Department of Behavioral Health.  Washington Blade.  January 2013.

Year in Review: Photography.  Washington Blade.  December 2012.

Service with SMYAL.  Metro Weekly.  December 2012.

Make the Season More Festive for Those in Need.  Washington Blade.  December 2012.

Photos: SMYAL Fall Brunch.  Washington Blade.  October 2012.

SMYAL Honors Katie O'Malley at Fall Brunch.  Washington Blade.  October 2012.

PHOTOS: DC Vigil for Teen Lesbians Shot in Texas.  Talk About Equality Blog.  June 2012.

Gray Wows at Town Hall.  Metro Weekly.  June 2012.

Official 2012 Capital Pride Guide (pages 110-111).  Washington Blade.  June 2012.

Capital Pride Names 2012 Heroes.  Metro Weekly.  May 2012.

LGBT Represent Majority of Homeless Youth.  Street Sense.  April 2012.

GLAA Celebrates 41st Anniversary.  Metro Weekly.  April 2012.

SMYAL to Host Discussion Panel on Factors Leading to LGBT Youth Suicides. Metro Weekly. April 2012.

"Addressing the Needs of LGBTQ Youth." Texas Conflict Coach Radio Show. March 2012. (Please press play below to listen.)
Listen to internet radio with Texas Conflict Coach on Blog Talk Radio

"Interview with the Director of SMYAL, Andrew Barnett." QRadio Podcast. March 2012. (Please press play below to listen.)

Op-Ed: Solitary Confinement. Metro Weekly. February 2012.

Test Time: Locals Mobilize for National HIV Testing Day. Metro Weekly. June 2011.

Helping Hair: Dyer Offers "Wig Aid" for Wanda Alston House. Metro Weekly. June 2011.

Tracy Morgan, Ryman Apologize for Anti-Gay Rant. 9 News Now/WUSA9.com. June 2011.

Youth Speak Out: SMYAL's Performing Arts Group.  National Clearinghouse on Families & Youth (NCFY) Podcast.  May 2011.

Sadie-Ryanne Baker on the Role of Trans Activism in the LGBT Community. TBD.com. December 2010.

Gay Teenagers Face Harsher Punishments. New York Times. December 2010.

Gay and Lesbian Teens Are Punished More at School, by Police, Study Says. Washington Post. December 2010.

LGBT Witnesses Back D.C. Anti-bullying Bills. Washington Blade. December 2010.

Get the Ball Rolling. Washington Blade. November 2010.

Youth Task Force Helps County's Gay Community. Prince George's County Gazette. October 2010.

Safe Schools Panel on "Making It Better." PFLAG National Blog. October 2010.
Rhee Recap: Some Gay Leaders Assess Deparing DCPS Chancellor's Tenure. Metro Weekly. October 2010.

Helping Hands: GLSEN and SMYAL Work to Make Things Better for LGBTQ Youth. Metro Weekly. October 2010.

SMYAL Youth Address Recent LGBTQ Suicides. Metro Weekly. October 2010.

Spotlight on Bullying After Rash of Teen Suicides. Washington Blade. October 2010.

Push to Stop Bullying in Schools. MyFoxDC/WTTG. October 2010.

Rutgers Suicide Prompts New Focus on Anti-Gay Harassment. TBD8/WJLA. October 2010.

For Bullied Gay Teens, the World Is Still Far from Accepting. Washington Post. October 2010.

SMYAL Fall Brunch. Washington Blade. September 2010.

SMYAL Celebrates Their 13th Year of Fundraising in Grand Style. Examiner.com, Washington DC. September 2010.

On the Street, Without a Safety Net. Center for American Progress. August 2010.

Record Turnout for Pride. Washington Blade. June 2010.

DOJ Dollars for DC. Metro Weekly. June 2010

Ten People Who Make Us Proud. Washington Blade. June 2010.

Capital Pride Heroes and Engendered Spirit Awards. Metro Weekly. June 2010

Next Generation Awards 2010: Andrew Barnett--Hometown Boy's Return Benefits LGBTQ Youth. Metro Weekly. April 2010.
 
D.C. Schools Get Incomplete Score on LGBT Youth Survey. Washington Blade. March 2010.
 
Gay, Young, and Homeless. Campus Progress. March 2010.

New Year's Resolution: Service to Others. DC Examiner. January 2010.
 
CTA Serves for SMYAL: Tennis tourney will raise money for GLBT youth. Metro Weekly. September 2009.
 
The Kids Are All Right: SMYAL's Andrew Barnett leads the way for local GLBT youth. Metro Weekly. August 2009.
 
Gay Blacks in D.C. Get Few Mentors, High Risks. Washington Post. July 2009.
 
Three LGBT Activists Receive Colin Higgins Youth Courage Awards. Tides Foundation Press Release. June 2009.

Sun Day: Youth Pride welcomes the young with rays and rhythms. Metro Weekly. April 2009.
 
Barnett Takes the Helm: SMYAL names acting executive director to permanent spot. Metro Weekly. March 2009.
 

Non-Profit SMYAL. It's Okay to Be Gay! Hill Rag. September 2008.

SMYAL brunch sets new attendance, donation records. Washington Blade. October 31, 2008.

Muffins for Minors. SMYAL readies for 11th Annual Fall Brunch. Metro Weekly. September 25, 2008.

Pride arrives next weekend. 33rd annual celebration to bring thousands to city. The Washington Blade online. June 6, 2008.

Gay students more likely to consider suicide: study. Survey shows D.C. gay youth face bullying, harassment. The Washington Blade online.April 4, 2008.

Story. Special feature for National Coming Out Day 2007. The Washington Blade online. October 11, 2007.

Letters to the Editor: City must support its young, vulnerable gay residents. Letter from Tasha Hill, Executive Director, SMYAL. The Washington Blade. August 24, 2007.

Safety Monitor: DCPS educators gather to keep queer kids safe. Metro Weekly. August 2, 2007.

QUEERY: 20 gay questions for Tasha Hill. The Washington Blade. April 27, 2007.

Leadership changes: SMYAL announces new ED, SLDN bids farewell to co-founder. Metro Weekly. April 26, 2007.

The Latest: Lesbian sargeant to head police gay liasion unit. SMYAL also news new director. The Washington Blade. April 23, 2007.

Charges dropped against Anacostia High students. The Washington Blade. April 6, 2007.

Anacostia High reinstates lesbian class president: Principal approves creation of school's gay-straight alliance. The Washington Blade. March 30, 2007.

Lesbians arrested in school fight face expulsion.The Washington Blade. March 23, 2007.

Life on the street: Despite disproportionately high numbers, resources are slim for homeless gay youth.The Washington Blade. March 16, 2007.

Troubling Times: Suicide of two young girls highlights the hurdles faced by gay youth.Metro Weekly. February 15, 2007.

Teens' suicides draw attention to at-risk youth.The Washington Blade. February 9, 2007.

Youth Movement: SMYAL's Fall Brunch raises funds and highlights dangers of "ex-gay" movement.Metro Weekly. November 16, 2006.

Sultans of Swing: 14th annual Capital Classic tennis tournament to benefit local gay youth.The Washington Blade. October 20, 2006.

SMYAL's Weiss announces resignation: Executive Drector to leave position at D.C. LBTQ youth organization.Metro Weekly. July 20, 2006.

Wearing their labels: As teens become even more style conscious, gay youth are using fashion to announce their orientation to the world.The Washington Blade. July 7, 2006.

Capital Pride Heroes: 2006 Capitol Pride Parade.Metro Weekly. June 1, 2006.

The Kids Are Not Alright: A community forum and a new report examine the hardships faced by the city's GLBT youth.Metro Weekly. April 13, 2006.

'Ex-gay' ministries shift their focus to young people.The Washington Blade. March 17, 2006.

SMYAL Like You Mean It: the organization advocating for LGBTQ youth turns another corner with Bruce Weiss at the helm.Metro Weekly. November 17, 2005.

Scene: 8th Annual Fall Brunch. Metro Weekly. November 17, 2005.

Crystal and the Community: A grassroots alliance gains momentum in its fight against methamphetamines.Metro Weekly. July 7, 2005.

Passing the Torch: the next generation gears up for Youth Pride.Metro Weekly. April 24, 2005.

Nine Years of Youth: Youth Pride Day 2005 grows for a new generation.Metro Weekly. April 21, 2005.

SMYAL prepares for annual fall fund-raiser: 2004 marks youth advocacy group's 20th birthday.The Washington Blade. November 12, 2004.

More than a day at the park: Four organizations that work to help gay youths are joining forces for the first time to provide support in the suburbs.The Washington Blade. July 23, 2004.

Gay street youth stick to the shadows: Many were thrown out by family after coming out.The Washington Blade. July 9, 2004.

Donning their wigs for charity: Drag performers to raise money for SMYAL during WigAid.The Washington Blade. May 14, 2004.

Scene: 6th Annual Fall Brunch.Metro Weekly. November 16, 2003.

Youthful Spirit: Youth Pride 2003.Metro Weekly. April 10, 2003.