APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN, DUE APRIL 17th!
The SMYAL LGBT Youth Leadership Awards are individual post-secondary education scholarships of up to $5,000 for Washington, DC Metro Area youth who have demonstrated leadership in their school or community.
Self-identified members of the LGBTQ community from the DC Metro Area, who have demonstrated personal growth and leadership in their school or community are encouraged to apply!
Designed for queer and trans youth like you, our programs offer the opportunity to express yourself and build community. Our programs range from discussion groups and self-care workshops to kick-back nights and study halls. Programs are currently hosted virtually.
Pandas eating rainbow cake?! A pride of LGBTQ families?! Frogs galore?! SMYAL is partnering with the DC Center to provide interactive activities at this year's Gay Day at the Zoo.… Continue reading Gay Day at the Zoo
Join us on Discord for virtual programs! Our community spaces are a place where queer and trans youth can meet other young people who hold the same identities, talk about… Continue reading Virtual Drop-In Programs
Rotating topics in a chat-based discussion room for queer and trans youth ages 13-19. Join at QChatSpace.org
Join us on Discord for virtual programs! Our community spaces are a place where queer and trans youth can meet other young people who hold the same identities, talk about… Continue reading Virtual Drop-In Programs
Join us on Discord for virtual programs! Our community spaces are a place where queer and trans youth can meet other young people who hold the same identities, talk about… Continue reading Virtual Drop-In Programs: Movie Night
Join us on Discord for virtual programs! Our community spaces are a place where queer and trans youth can meet other young people who hold the same identities, talk about… Continue reading Virtual Drop-In Programs: Untold Hxstories
Rotating topics in a chat-based discussion room for queer and trans youth ages 13-19. Join at QChatSpace.org
Join us on Discord for virtual programs! Our community spaces are a place where queer and trans youth can meet other young people who hold the same identities, talk about… Continue reading Virtual Drop-In Programs: Mental Health Awareness for ages 19-24
Join us on Discord for virtual programs! Our community spaces are a place where queer and trans youth can meet other young people who hold the same identities, talk about… Continue reading Virtual Drop-In Programs: Poetry Slam
Get ready for a wonderful day! A full day of inspiration, important discussions and community-building. SMYAL will be presenting our original workshop "Books for Everyone- Diverse Representation for Queer Families"… Continue reading Rainbow Families LGBTQ+ Family Conference 2022
Join us on Discord for virtual programs! Our community spaces are a place where queer and trans youth can meet other young people who hold the same identities, talk about… Continue reading Virtual Drop-In Programs
Little SMYALs is a group dedicated to providing a safe(r) space for young people in the DC area and beyond who identify as LGBTQ or gender nonconforming, and those who… Continue reading Little SMYALs: Creative Kids (In-person, ages 6-10)
Rotating topics in a chat-based discussion room for queer and trans youth ages 13-19. Join at QChatSpace.org
Join us on Discord for virtual programs! Our community spaces are a place where queer and trans youth can meet other young people who hold the same identities, talk about… Continue reading Virtual Drop-In Programs: Building Blocks to Self-Esteem for ages 13-18
Join us on Discord for virtual programs! Our community spaces are a place where queer and trans youth can meet other young people who hold the same identities, talk about… Continue reading Virtual Drop-In Programs: Game Night
Join us on Discord for virtual programs! Our community spaces are a place where queer and trans youth can meet other young people who hold the same identities, talk about… Continue reading Virtual Drop-In Programs: Poetry Through the Ages
Little SMYALs is a group dedicated to providing a safe(r) space for young people in the DC area and beyond who identify as LGBTQ or gender nonconforming, and those who… Continue reading Little SMYALs: Middle Grades Book Club (hybrid in-person and virtual, ages 10-13)
Rotating topics in a chat-based discussion room for queer and trans youth ages 13-19. Join at QChatSpace.org
Join us on Discord for virtual programs! Our community spaces are a place where queer and trans youth can meet other young people who hold the same identities, talk about… Continue reading Virtual Drop-In Programs: Open Discord for Ages 19-24
Join us on Discord for virtual programs! Our community spaces are a place where queer and trans youth can meet other young people who hold the same identities, talk about… Continue reading Virtual Drop-In Programs: Creativity Night
Little SMYALs is a group dedicated to providing a safe(r) space for young people in the DC area and beyond who identify as LGBTQ or gender nonconforming, and those who… Continue reading Little SMYALs: Virtual Saturday Session (ages 6-12)
Join us on Discord for virtual programs! Our community spaces are a place where queer and trans youth can meet other young people who hold the same identities, talk about… Continue reading Virtual Drop-In Programs: Mental Health Care
Little SMYAL’s is a group for queer and trans 6-12 year olds to provide young people a safe(r) space hang out and meet new people, access resources, and gain support from staff while connecting youth and their families to community resources and services.
Little SMYALs is currently operating in a hybrid format, offering programs both in-person and virtually. Programs meet on Tuesdays and Saturdays, you can find more details on our general monthly Little SMYALs schedule.
Ever wanted to learn more about what it means to be a youth organizer?
Are you already engaging in organizing and activist work in your community, and want to find community with other youth organizers? Then check out Rise Up!
Rise Up! is a four-day, free, online conference that explores what it means to be a young queer organizer today. The conference is open to any queer, trans & nonbinary, and ally youth ages 13-24 years old.
Are you paving the way for your fellow LGBTQ students at your school? Do you organize school initiatives?
Then you’re improving the future of our community and we want you to get the support you need. As you pursue your dreams of secondary education, learn more about our award and apply today!
Breaking Ground is a summer program for LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults that utilizes theatre arts and music to discuss complex challenges, successes, and topics. Through acting, singing, and dance workshops, the youth develop a full length musical production based on their real life stories.
SMYAL works to provide inclusive sexual health education to LGBTQ youth. Knowledge is power and helps to encourage healthy behaviors.
Join SMYAL in our efforts to make sexual health more inclusive and accessible by becoming a Peer Health Fellow. The Peer Health Fellowships are paid 6-month positions.
The Genders & Sexualities Alliance (GSA) Network empowers queer, trans, and allied youth leaders to organize and mobilize a movement that advocates for safer schools and healthier communities. By providing leadership and activist training, we support the next generation as they lead the charge for LGBTQ rights and social justice.
Our Youth Council also meets to support campus leaders as they organize initiatives to create a safer learning environment. In doing so, we bring the voices and perspectives of youth to the forefront of the LGBTQ movement while educating community members and school faculty.
If you are looking for connections to housing in DC, please visit SMYAL.org/housing.
If you are looking for resources around mental & physical health, community & family support, or guides about identity, visit our resources page.
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