Out Spotlight XIX

We have something a little different today on the Spotlight. This time we're focusing on an organization. SMYAL is the Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (you can see why they just go by SMYAL!). It's based here in Washington, D. C. , but has branched out into Northern Virginia and Maryland.

An organization like this is needed EVERYWHERE! SMYAL works with queer youth to help them deal with sexuality and gender issues. Here is their mission-

Our mission is to promote and support self-confident, healthy, productive lives for LGBTQ youth as they journey from adolescence into adulthood. To fulfill our mission, we concentrate our commitment and energy on five focus areas: (1) Life Skills & Leadership Development, (2) Counseling & Support, (3) Health & Wellness Education, (4) Safe Social Activities, and (5) Community Outreach and Education.

SMYAL came about in response to cross-dressing youth being seen as mentally ill and hospitalized at the local psychiatric hospital (St. Elizabeths). They started out as a referral service but realized that the main problem facing queer youth was isolation. They started operating a social club out of borrowed space for queer youth so kids could meet in a safe place. Now they have their own Youth Center in its own building.

SMYAL's other services include a hotline for youth, educational trainings for schools, counseling services, sexuality education, HIV testing and counseling, peer support, and activities for youth. SMYAL encourages youth to be leaders and some of its Board members are youth. Another program they have is RYSE (Rainbow Youth for a Safe Education), which is a group of queer kids working to combat bullying in schools.

When I worked on the Gay and Lesbian Switchboard, we got many calls from kids who were either questioning or trying to come out. The number one question they asked was, "Is there anywhere I can go to meet other gay kids?" The relief in their voices when we referred them to SMYAL was incredible. I hope there are organizations like this in other areas. We really need to assist our queer youth as much as possible.

Check out SMYAL's website for more on the great work this organization is doing!

Remember to vote for our first movie for the Movie Club! The poll is still open.