This Commission Will Make a Difference

Yesterday I attended my first meeting of the Maine Children's Cabinet LGBTQ Youth Commission. What an inspiring day!

The Maine Children's Cabinet believes that all youth and young adults should be able to participate in their schools and communities without concern for discriminatory actions, harassment, and/or violence, because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

The Cabinet believes that all Maine citizens should appreciate individual differences and ensure that Maine communities are free from any discrimination, harassment and violence, based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

The LGBTQ Youth Commission is to recommend practical, actionable strategies to reduce and eliminate anti-LGBTQ discrimination, harassment and violence that can be implemented by individuals and systems in Maine that interact with children, youth, and young adults. Witnessing this group of passionate, highly accomplished LGBT leaders and allies sharing deep insights and important research, I have no doubt that the Commission will succeed in this vital charge!

Please read more about the history and mission of the Maine Children’s Cabinet and its partner organizations.

Do you have any Best Practices for forging safe space for LGBTQ youth? Share them with us by posting a response to this blog!

October is LGBT History Month

They were gay?!
Yes, we know Ellen DeGeneres is gay, but did you know Bessie Smith was gay? Or, the father of computer science, Alan Turing? How about Bayard Rustin, close colleague of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and chief organizer of the 1963 civil rights march on Washington?

I invite you to join Equality Forum in celebrating LGBT History Month by sharing the legacy of 31 LGBT leaders with the young people in your life. Each day in October, glbthistorymonth.com will highlight the life and work of a different LGBT icon. The nominees comprise individuals, living or dead, who have distinguished themselves within their fields of endeavor, as national heroes, or in the LGBT civil rights movement. Learn about today’s featured icon below, and then click here to meet this year’s 30 other featured leaders.

Learn, Love & Live your Legacy
It is so important for young people to celebrate who they are and the communities they are a part of. Our LGBT youth come from a rich and diverse legacy of revolutionary politicians, scientists, writers, activists, and artists. Celebrate the contributions of today and yesterday, while fostering the greatness of tomorrow, by sharing the stories of LGBT leaders with the young people in your life.

Wishing you an inspiring and life-affirming LGBT History Month from all of us at Ugly Ducklings!