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We advocate for LGBTQ youth so they can seize each day and prepare for the future.

We advocate for LGBTQ youth so they can seize each day and prepare for the future.

Through youth leadership, SMYAL creates opportunities for LGBTQ youth to build self-confidence, develop critical life skills, and engage their peers and community through service and advocacy.
Through youth leadership, SMYAL creates opportunities for LGBTQ youth to build self-confidence, develop critical life skills, and engage their peers and community through service and advocacy.

Youth Services

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Need inspiration for your next GSA campaign? On the hunt for scholarships? We’ve got your back.

Giving Back

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From volunteering to donations, the opportunities to support LGBTQ youth are endless.

Housing

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LGBTQ youth deserve a place to live, learn, and grow. That’s why our transitional housing program includes mental health services, networking, mentorship, and more

Empower LGBTQ Youth to Thrive

With 40% of youth experiencing homelessness identifying as LGBTQ, our mission has never been more clear. From transitional housing to leadership development, SMYAL serves at-risk youth as they overcome the challenges associated with their identity. Our services are made possible by the generous contributions of our community. Help SMYAL continue to make a difference in the lives of LGBTQ youth.

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Upcoming Event

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25TH | RED BEAR BREWING | 6-8 PM

 

SMYAL for the New Year

The SMYAL Young Donors Committee invites you to ring in 2024 and kick off SMYAL 40th anniversary year at the annual SMYAL for the New Year celebration!

We’re excited to be back celebrating at Red Bear Brewing Co. as we reconnect with old friends and meet new supporters. Bring a friend, raise a glass, and make a New Year’s resolution to support LGBTQ+ youth in 2024 by becoming a part of the SMYAL Champions monthly donor program. Join us to show up and show out for LGBTQ+ youth!

SMYAL Social Media

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SMYAL

SMYAL

SMYAL supports and empowers LGBTQ+ youth ages 6-24.

SMYAL

2 days ago

SMYAL
It’s day 2 of #LesbianVisibilityWeek and we’ve got a fun little game for you...Pick a Cat, Get a LesbianIt’s pretty simple, pick one of the cats you see on the first slide, then swipe to the second slide to see which lesbian you got! Tell us who you got in the comments ❤️ ... See MoreSee Less

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SMYAL

3 days ago

SMYAL
📅 WEEKLY DROP-IN PROGRAMS FOR APR 23 - 27Tuesday 4/23, 4-7 pm: Drop-In Programs for Ages 18-24Wednesday 4/24, 4:30-6 pm: Virtual QChat Programs for Ages 13-19Wednesday 4/24, 5:30-6:30 pm, Little SMYALS Virtual for Ages 10-13Thursday 4/25, 5-7 pm: Virtual Drop-In Programs on Discord for Ages 18-24Friday 4/26, 4-7 pm: Drop-In Programs for Ages 13-24Saturday 4/27, 11:30 am-1 pm: SPECIAL Drop-In Programs for Ages 13-24Learn more and join our programs for queer + trans youth ages 6-24 at SMYAL.org/schedule or click on the links in our bio! ... See MoreSee Less

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SMYAL

6 days ago

SMYAL
As part of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, NVRDC will be hosting the Clothesline Project on Friday, April 26 from 3pm-6pm at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library. SMYAL will be tabling at this event, so be sure to stop by!More about this project: The Clothesline Project is a visual display of t-shirts created by survivors of crime in order to bring awareness to the impact of violence and to honor survivors. The color of each shirt represents a different type of violence. These shirts will then be part of a larger collection that can grow from year to year in our DC community.We can’t wait to see you there! ... See MoreSee Less

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SMYAL

7 days ago

SMYAL
There is no singular experience of homelessness, which is why SMYAL offers a range of programs and services to support LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness.SMYAL’s affirming housing services include: a Transitional Housing Program, a Rapid Re-Housing Program, an Extended Transitional Housing Program, and a Housing and Healthcare Partnership with DC Department of Health.Across SMYAL’s Youth Housing Program, residents receive LGBTQ-affirming support and individually tailored services. Each program provides safe and stable shelter, food, case management services, mental health counseling, crisis intervention, and community support for its residents. Residents meet weekly with case managers to collaboratively work on their individualized service plans.Residents can attend life skills courses and community engagement opportunities including nutrition and cooking classes, financial literacy, healthy relationships and communication, and resume workshops.If you or someone you know is in need of housing support, reach out! Entry into SMYAL’s Housing Programs are part of the District of Columbia Coordinated Entry System. Head to smyal.org/housing-2/ to connect with services today! ... See MoreSee Less

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SMYAL

1 week ago

SMYAL
Gender-affirming healthcare saves lives 🏳️‍⚧️On Monday, the Supreme Court allowed Idaho's ban on gender-affirming care for youth to go back into effect. At this time, the order is only enforceable in Idaho as the case proceeds in court. However, this is a monumental ruling as it is the first time SCOTUS has weighed in on gender-affirming healthcare. While this most recent order is a procedural decision, it no doubt is a message to trans and nonbinary youth and their families across the country. These continued attacks on the youngest members of our community are devastating and dangerous for trans and nonbinary youth.We must continue to fight for access, to defend healthcare, and protect bodily autonomy. SMYAL will not stop working to support trans and nonbinary youth. ... See MoreSee Less

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SMYAL

1 week ago

SMYAL
Introducing our SMYALstone Moments series as part of #40yearsofsmyal!We are kicking it off with the year that started it all-1984. In the photo above, you can see a group of youth, original SMYALers, holding a banner with our first logo.SMYAL (then, the Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League) was founded in 1984 when local youth service professionals and community activists organized a conference on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth issues after an LGBTQ-identifying youth was hospitalized. Through this conference, advocates founded SMYAL to meet the needs of LGBTQ youth in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. In the first year, SMYAL was mostly a referral-based service, and helped refer youth and their families to supportive professionals. The organization operated mostly out of basements/spaces of recreational centers -- we didn't get our current office space for quite a while! SMYAL realized after some time that there was a need for LGBTQ+ youth to meet and socialize with other LGBTQ+ youth to help reduce isolation, which led to them organizing support groups on Saturdays.These services were run by volunteers at the time -- such as teachers and mental health workers. Large group meetings for youth had structured curriculums like HIV prevention and how to come out to your Family/Friends/School. Eventually, a hotline service was added for youth as well as more educational programs and trainings for youth services professionals in schools, shelters, and hospitals. These programs were created by professionals and delivered by volunteers, who were required to take extensive training.SMYAL has come such a long way since then, and here we are, 40 years later! Stay tuned for other #smyalstonemoments on the way... ... See MoreSee Less

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