Month: October 2022

Janelle Monáe: Suicide Prevention Advocate of the Year

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The Trevor Project Honors Janelle Monáe with Annual Suicide Prevention Advocate of the Year Award

NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — The Trevor Project, the world’s largest suicide prevention and mental health organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people, announced Janelle Monáe (they/them or she/her pronouns) as the recipient of its 2022 Suicide Prevention Advocate of the Year Award, which recognizes influential public figures for their unwavering commitment to LGBTQ mental health awareness. The second annual award marks September’s National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and amplifies The Trevor Project’s mission to end suicide among LGBTQ young people. Monáe joins Lil Nas X – who was the inaugural recipient of the award in 2021 – in receiving this powerful honor that reminds LGBTQ young people that they are not alone.

“No matter what you’re going through, your life matters so much…don’t let anyone try to dim your light,” said Monáe.Tweet this

The Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, actor, and author has been a longtime champion for the LGBTQ community and conversations around mental health. A fierce advocate and activist, Monáe has consistently used their platform to elevate the voices and experiences of marginalized people. In a recent interview with CNN, Monáe explained, “my natural instinct has always been to stand up to bullies, and to protect the ones who are trying to just live and love in peace and in their authentic selves.” Over the years, the multi-hyphenate artist has proudly and openly shared their personal journey around their sexual orientation and gender identity. In 2018, Monáe came out as pansexual in a Rolling Stone cover story, and announced they identify as nonbinary on an episode of Red Table Talk this past April, stating: “I just don’t see myself as a woman, solely. I feel all of my energy.”

In accepting the award, Monáe said: “Growing up queer and Black in a religious household, I faced a lot of challenges trying to understand my identity and where I fit in as someone who always felt beyond the binary. We, as LGBTQ folks, as people of color, are a powerful and unstoppable community. I want every young queer person out there to know that I see you, you are beautiful in all of your forms, and you are never, ever alone in this world. As someone who has dealt with depression and anxiety, prioritizing and protecting your mental health is everything. Amazing organizations like The Trevor Project have got your back, and I will personally continue to advocate for you and celebrate you always. No matter what you’re going through, your life matters so much — don’t let anyone try to dim your light. Thank you to The Trevor Project for this incredible honor and for all that you do to support LGBTQ young people.”

According to The Trevor Project’s 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health, which captured the experiences of nearly 34,000 LGBTQ youth across the U.S., 45% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, and nearly 1 in 5 transgender and nonbinary youth attempted suicide. The findings also revealed that LGBTQ youth of color reported higher rates of attempting suicide in the past year than their white peers, and 60% of LGBTQ youth who wanted mental health care in the past year were not able to get it.

Monáe has been outspoken about addressing negative mental health outcomes and ending suicide among LGBTQ young people – The Trevor Project’s mission. In 2019, Monáe took to Twitter to spark discourse around LGBTQ mental health, stating: “I wanna have a real discussion around bullies (kids and adults) who bully kids/people because of their sexuality. Bullying leads to kids & adults in the LGBTQIA [community] falling into depression & [dying by] suicide in many instances. What should the repercussions be for bullying?” They have also been candid about their own past struggles with depression and the importance of mental health accessibility and affordability. When speaking to The Grio in 2018, Monáe asserted, “I wish that our system here in America made mental health care more affordable, or quite frankly, free for every human being.” In normalizing these conversations, Monáe is helping to destigmatize mental health and create open dialogues around suicide prevention.

“Queer representation in the media can have a life-saving impact on LGBTQ young people, and Janelle Monáe is the embodiment of unapologetic self-expression,” said Josh Weaver (they/them or he/him pronouns), Vice President of Marketing at The Trevor Project. “Throughout their career, Janelle has been a trailblazer who constantly challenges the status quo – from their depictions of queer love in their music videos, to their iconic, gender nonconforming style, they continue to redefine the rules around how LGBTQ and BIPOC people can navigate through life. Our research found that 79% of LGBTQ youth reported that seeing musicians come out as LGBTQ made them feel good about their own identity, and Janelle’s willingness to let us in on her personal journey of self-discovery makes her the perfect recipient for this award.”

The Suicide Prevention Advocate of the Year Award adds to a long list of accolades for Monáe, who has been recognized for their work in the Oscar-winning film Moonlight and Oscar-nominated film Hidden Figures. Monáe will star in the upcoming Knives Out sequel Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery in December. The Trevor Project will award a new individual each year to celebrate possibility models, allies, and outspoken advocates fighting for those in the LGBTQ community to survive and thrive. To learn more about The Trevor Project, visit TheTrevorProject.org.

If you or someone you know needs help or support, The Trevor Project’s trained crisis counselors are available 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386, via chat at TheTrevorProject.org/Get-Help, or by texting START to 678678.

About The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project is the world’s largest suicide prevention and mental health organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people. The Trevor Project offers a suite of 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention programs, including TrevorLifeline, TrevorText, and TrevorChat as well as the world’s largest safe space social networking site for LGBTQ youth, TrevorSpace. Trevor also operates an education program with resources for youth-serving adults and organizations, an advocacy department fighting for pro-LGBTQ legislation and against anti-LGBTQ rhetoric/policy positions, and a research team to discover the most effective means to help young LGBTQ people in crisis and end suicide.

Virgin Atlantic Updates Gender Identity Policy

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Virgin Atlantic Updates Gender Identity Policy

PRNewswire

Virgin Atlantic has launched its updated gender identity policy, giving its crew, pilots, and ground team the option to choose which of the iconic uniforms, designed by Vivienne Westwood, best represents them – no matter their gender, gender identity, or gender expression.

Reflecting the diversity of the workforce and in a move that cements its position as the most inclusive airline in the skies, Virgin Atlantic will offer its people a fluid approach to its red and burgundy uniforms, meaning LGBTQ+ colleagues will be able to choose either the red or the burgundy uniform, depending on which best reflects themselves.

The announcement is part of an ongoing drive to champion the individuality of its people and customers and is complemented by the roll out of optional pronoun badges for all its people and those traveling with the airline. This move enables everyone to clearly communicate and be addressed by their pronouns. The badges will be available to teams and customers from today and customers simply need to ask for their preferred badge at the check in desk or in the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse.

Virgin Atlantic has also updated its ticketing systems to allow for those who hold passports with gender neutral gender markers to select ‘U’ or ‘X’ gender codes on their booking as well as the gender-neutral title, ‘Mx.’ In lieu of passports with gender neutral gender markers being available for all, Virgin Atlantic is implementing a longer-term plan to amend communication preferences to ensure customers are addressed by their preferred pronouns across all touchpoints.

Mandatory inclusivity training will also be rolled out for its people at all levels across Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Atlantic Holidays as well as a series of inclusivity learning initiatives for tourism partners and hotels within destinations such as the Caribbean to ensure all our customers feel welcome despite barriers to LGBTQ+ equality.

Launched as part of its ‘Be Yourself’ agenda, the airline has already unveiled a series of industry-leading inclusivity initiatives for its people to ensure they can truly be themselves at work and feel comfortable in their roles. This latest addition follows a decision in 2019 to offer cabin crew the choice whether to wear make-up as well as the option to wear trousers and flat shoes. More recently the airline lifted restrictions around allowing visible tattoos for crew members and its front line people.

Jaime Forsstroem, Cabin Crew at Virgin Atlantic commented: “The updated gender identity policy is so important to me. As a non-binary person, it allows me to be myself at work and have the choice in what uniform I wear.”

Michelle Visage, Tanya Compas, Talulah-Eve and Tyreece Nye have teamed up with Virgin Atlantic to showcase the new policy in a stylised fashion shoot that has been released today.

Michelle Visage commented: “As the mother of a non-binary child, and as an ally to the LGBTQ+ community, these efforts by Virgin Atlantic to further inclusivity for its people are extremely important and personal to me. People feel empowered when they are wearing what best represents them, and this gender identity policy allows people to embrace who they are and bring their full selves to work.”

The announcement comes as research finds that enabling employees to express their true selves at work boosts happiness (65%), increases mental wellbeing (49%), creates a more positive workplace culture (36%) and provides a better experience for customers (24%). Employees also reported feeling more accepted and comfortable when able to be their true selves at work (26%) and an increased sense of loyalty to their employer (21%).

The airline’s initiatives also include an update of its existing trans inclusion policies, which already allows time off for medical treatments related to gender transition, personal choice of changing & shower facilities that align with the gender a person identifies as and co-creation of a personalised transitioning plan.

Juha Jarvinen, Virgin Atlantic’s Chief Commercial Officer says, “At Virgin Atlantic, we believe that everyone can take on the world, no matter who they are. That’s why it’s so important that we enable our people to embrace their individuality and be their true selves at work. It is for that reason that we want to allow our people to wear the uniform that best suits them and how they identify and ensure our customers are addressed by their preferred pronouns.”

To find out more about Virgin Atlantic’s inclusivity commitments head to https://virg.in/oji6 or follow the airline on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

*Data conducted by 3Gem on behalf of Virgin Atlantic between September 5-6, 2022, polling 2,000 adults aged 18+ across the UK.

About Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic was founded by entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson in 1984, with innovation and amazing customer service at its core. In 2021, Virgin Atlantic was voted Britain’s only Global Five Star Airline by APEX for the fifth year running in the Official Airline Ratings. Headquartered in London, it employs 6,500 people worldwide, flying customers to 27 destinations across four continents.

Alongside shareholder and Joint Venture partner Delta Air Lines, Virgin Atlantic operates a leading transatlantic network, with onward connections to over 200 cities around the world. On 3 February 2020, Air France-KLM, Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic launched an expanded Joint Venture, offering a comprehensive route network, convenient flight schedules, competitive fares and reciprocal frequent flyer benefits, including the ability to earn and redeem miles across all carriers.

Sustainability remains central to the airline and since September 2019, Virgin Atlantic has welcomed seven brand new Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, helping to transform the fleet into one of the youngest, quietest and most fuel efficient in the sky. By 2022, the airline will operate a streamlined fleet of 38 twin engine aircraft following the retirement of its B747-400s and A340-600s, making its simplified fleet 10% more efficient than before the Covid-19 crisis impacted.

For more information visit www.virginatlantic.com or via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @virginatlantic.

SOURCE Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd

The Best Thrift Store in Pennsylvania Gives Back

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Philly AIDS Thrift

Philly AIDS Thrift, recently voted the best thrift shop in Pennsyvania by the readers of Apartment Therapy Magazine, has a long history of giving back to the LGBTQ+ community.

Philly AIDS Thrift, founded in 2005, is located at 710 S. 5th St. It began as a small thrift store and has always given back to support HIV prevention, care, and support. In it’s most recent 2022 grant cycle, Philly AIDS Thrift distributed $300,035 in grants to 27 Delaware Valley organizations. Since it’s inception, it has distributed more than 3.6 million.

In addition to our cash contributions, Philly AIDS Thrift provides free store vouchers to Philly area HIV/AIDS service providers for distribution to clients in need of clothing assistance and household necessities. 

Find out more about Philly AIDS Thrift at: https://www.phillyaidsthrift.com/

Governor Newsom Signs Legislation Strengthening Protections for LGBTQ+ Californians

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Equality California

Equality California Press Release

SACRAMENTO —  Governor Newsom signed SB 107, legislation co-sponsored by Equality California and Planned Parenthood on gender affirming health care, today. In addition, Governor Newsom signed the following Equality California sponsored bills, SB 923 by Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) – Gender-affirming care, AB 1041 by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) – Leave for Chosen Families, AB 2417 by Assemblymember Philip Ting (D-San Francisco) – Juveniles: Youth Bill of Rights and SB 1194 by Senator Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica) – All Gender Public Restrooms.

“While small minded men like Greg Abbot and Ron Desantis attack trans children and their families, Governor Newsom ensures that they are protected and receive the necessary life saving health care they need. SB 107 officially makes California a state of refuge for trans kids and their families,” said Equality California Executive Director Tony Hoang. “SB 107 will continue California’s legacy of leadership in protecting and advancing the health and well-being of LGBTQ+ communities in a time when we cannot take our rights and protections for granted.”

“Extreme politicians across the country are openly attacking trans youth and their families like never before, but thanks to today’s action by Governor Newsom and the leadership by Senator Scott Weiner, SB 107 provides reassurance that California will be a place where people can get the care they need,” said Jodi Hicks, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California. “We stand in solidarity with our friends and colleagues at EQCA and LGBTQ+ communities across the country. California Planned Parenthood health centers are committed to providing care, including gender-affirming care and LBGTQ+ services, to all who come through their doors – regardless of where they call home.”

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Equality California is the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization. We bring the voices of LGBTQ people and allies to institutions of power in California and across the United States, striving to create a world that is healthy, just, and fully equal for all LGBTQ people. We advance civil rights and social justice by inspiring, advocating and mobilizing through an inclusive movement that works tirelessly on behalf of those we serve. www.eqca.org

Pride Outside Las Vegas Hiking Events

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Pride Outside

With PRIDE OUTside, Las Vegas Pride invites you to join them each month as we meet in the great outdoors for fun activities.

The meeting place may change each month. These events will provide free participation to all and will be inclusive of all ages. Please bring your own snacks and plenty of water to stay hydrated for this event. Participate at your own pace and risk.

To find out about the latest PRIDE OUTside hiking event, visit:
https://lasvegaspride.org/las-vegas-pride-outside/

Greater Boston PFLAG Support Groups

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Boston PFLAG Support Groups

No matter where you are with supporting your child, there’s a support group ready to welcome you.

Greater PFLAG Boston support groups are safe and welcoming spaces where you can meet with other community members with LGBTQ+ people in their lives, including families whose children have come out to them, friends and significant others, or those who are interested in learning how to become a better ally to LGBTQ+ people. These groups meet once or twice a month, are run by trained volunteers, most of whom are parents, and are filled with people who can offer support, answer questions, and link you to resources. These meetings are free of charge to attend and all information you share is confidential.

Click here to find out more about current groups and meeting times.