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SMYAL

1 week ago

We are back with another SMYALstone Moment for #40yearsofsmyal!The year is 1997, and SMYAL has moved into our very own permanent office space in Capitol Hill!The photo above is of SMYAL's main office (before it was painted blue) with the sold sign in the front yard, indicating that it was officially ours! This marked a shift in SMYAL programming, with us having a permanent space for youth to gather and continue creating community. Before this, SMYAL had rented space on 17th Street and then further down Pennsylvania Ave.If you scroll through, you can check out photos of youth and staff at the time tending to the yard and painting the walls. ... See MoreSee Less

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SMYAL

1 week ago

SMYAL wishes our community a Happy Transgender Awareness Week!Trans Awareness Week takes place before Trans Day of Remembrance and aims to uplift the voices and stories of the transgender community. This year for Trans Awareness Week, we will be sharing the hopes and dreams of trans youth and their parents & caregivers. Messages that remind us of the humanity and the futures we are fighting for in the face of hateful rhetoric and political attacks.Now more than ever we must rally behind trans and nonbinary youth and show them our unwavering support. It is the time to be loud and proud, and show that we are not going anywhere. ... See MoreSee Less

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SMYAL

2 weeks ago

💌 A Message to LGBTQ+ Youth and Our Community from SMYAL Executive Director, Erin Whelan 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️It is hard to find the right words today.We at SMYAL are feeling the same sadness, anger, and disappointment as we woke up to the results of the election.Remember this: no decision, no law, no societal judgment can change who you are or the incredible strength you carry within you.Our community has shown resilience, courage, and love for generations. This moment is no different and it only strengthens our resolve. SMYAL will continue to fight for and support queer and trans youth, their families, and their communities.Your lives, your loves, your existences, matter profoundly.After all, if trans and queer lives were not overwhelmingly powerful evidence of the possibility of change and hope, people would not be working so hard to erase us.I can’t tell you the exact path forward, but I promise this: we’ll face it together. With grace, understanding, patience, and the fierce fire that has always burned in us, we will create spaces that are safe, affirming, and filled with love as we build a future worth living for.For the next four years, and beyond, we will do whatever it takes to ensure you feel protected, valued, and free.So today, grieve. Hold your loved ones. Scream. Be patient with yourself. Feel what you need to feel. Take up space. Be unapologetically yourself.You are powerful. You are revolutionary. You are seen, and you are loved. We are here for you. ... See MoreSee Less

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SMYAL

3 weeks ago

We are back with another SMYALstone Moment for #40YearsofSMYAL!The year is 1990, SMYAL takes big step to promote our programs and services for LGBTQ+ youth by taking out ads in local high school newspapers. However, these ads receive backlash and catch the attention of national news outlets.The image above is of a newspaper clipping reporting the aftermath of the ads placed in various local high school newspapers. Up until this point, youth mainly found out about SMYAL through their friends or referrals from providers or teachers.Many parents voiced concern and disdain about the ads promoting SMYAL's youth groups, which then caught the attention of the Washington Post. The Post then wrote an article and SMYAL was suddenly placed in the limelight. The clipping above is from the Washington Blade who covered not only the backlash, but the Posts reporting.Only 25 of the 78 high school papers chose to run the ad. A fierce debate ensued throughout the DC area over public censorship which ultimately provided a platform for students and community leaders to initiate critical discussions surrounding SMYAL’s work and resources for LGBTQ+ young people.In the end, the controversial backlash SMYAL’s support programs experienced in the early ‘90s gave voice to an issue LGBTQ+ people faced for generations and continue to face today. The censorship of SMYAL’s advertisements facilitated crucial dialogue and debate which have provided room for growth and progress as an organization. ... See MoreSee Less

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SMYAL

3 weeks ago

Is it your birthday month? Share the joy! Easily create a Facebook Birthday fundraiser to support LGBTQ+ youth using our simple guide at [bit.ly/FBFundSMYAL](bit.ly/FBFundSMYAL?fbclid=IwAR320yXWSqdduyhSj9clnDfDm87eA5B1wDuepUZuM2CV4Om20wQSn0542To) in just a few minutes. ... See MoreSee Less

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SMYAL

4 weeks ago

"When I was 16, I figured out that I was bisexual. I only told close friends, my aunt, and my mother at the time. I found out about SMYAL originally when the housing office was by my house 6 years ago. I visited the main office in 2019 but didn’t become a youth here until 2021. During the pandemic, I went through several pronoun changes, thinking I was genderfluid for a while only realizing last year that I’m nonbinary. Throughout the past year and a half, SMYAL has been a safe space for me after work or if I need to get out of the house for a couple of hours. I’ve met some great friends at the drop in programs and learned more about myself at my time here. Recently my brother outed my sexuality out to my dad. My dad yelled at me the morning I injured my knee and I said I needed to figure myself out. He apologized about that later on. I’m grateful to have friends and family to accept me for who I am and I hope to be that someone to a youth who isn’t or doesn’t feel accepted by anyone. I’m grateful for SMYAL and the friends I’ve made here so far."-Trevour, (they/them), Age 22, Current SMYAL Youth....Do you have a story of how SMYAL has impacted your life? We want to feature you in our #MySMYALStory campaign! Share yours today at SMYAL.org/shareyourstory or click the link in our bio#40YearsofSMYAL #MySMYALStory ... See MoreSee Less

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SMYAL supports & empowers LGBTQ+ youth.

We actively work to create a world where queer and trans youth thrive through affirming programs and services designed to develop critical life skills, build community, and foster a sense of belonging.

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