Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth

Supporting LGBTQ+ youth is so important with the rates of suicidal ideation increasing. Guide the youth in your life through the following conversation so they have a chance to identify their role models and values. Let’s help empower youth on their journey of self-discovery.

“There are some people in this world that believe being gay is a choice. It’s not a choice, we’re born this way.”
  – Lady Gaga

LGBTQ+ youth and their allies often struggle with issues about their identity. Young people need role models to help them develop a positive identity about who they are. By exploring what we value in role models and what we value in ourselves, youth will have an opportunity to find supportive relationships and see that they are not alone. That they are enough just as they are and celebrate the PRIDE they feel as their unique self.

PRIDE Activity Guide: Session Two

Theme: IDENTITY – BORN THIS WAY & ROLE MODELS

Identify Role Models

1. Say,

• Let’s take some time to talk about what makes a good role model. What are the values and actions of a person whom you’d admire and look up to?
• There are a lot of people in the media who could be positive role models. Can anyone name someone famous who has been a role model for the LGBTQ+ community?
• What kinds of actions have they taken to be a role model?
• What challenges did they have with being a role model?

2. Say,

• Now that we have talked about people in the media as role models, let’s take some time and explore some everyday people who are role models in our lives; for example, teachers, friends, family members.
• Does anyone have a personal role model in their life?
• Who is that person?
• How do they support you?

3. Ask everyone to have a blank piece of paper and pen or pencil. Say:

• We are going to take a few minutes to write down what each one of us looks for in a role model.
• I invite you to write about the specific traits, values, or actions that make someone a great role model to you. Then list 1-3 people (famous or in our own direct lives) who are role models worthy of admiration. Write what they mean to you in your life.

Personal Values Identification

This activity is adapted from a values activity and list from Brene Brown’s Dare to Lead: Brave Work, Tough Conversations2.

1. Tell the participants that now that we’ve identified the values and actions of a role model, we can carry that into our own lives.
2. Pass out the Values handout in person, or ask participants online to pull out the Values handout sent to them. Use the Share Screen tool to pull up and show the Values handout.
3. In Person: Say,

• This Values handout has a long list of many values.
• Individually, please circle all of the values that align with you, or write your own at the bottom.
• Then whittle the list down to your top three to five, and write a sentence or two for each, stating why it’s an important value to you.

   Online: Say,

• Take a look at the Values handout sent via email, text, or mail; or
  show by using Share Screen.
• Individually, please write all of the values that align with you on a piece of paper, or write additional ones if they are not listed.
• Then whittle the list down to your top three to five values, and write
  a sentence or two for each, stating why it’s an important value to you.

4 Ask,

• What kind of values do you share with the role models you identified earlier?
• What do you have in common with your role models (interests, personality, history)?
• What values are different?
• Are there values you would like to have that your role models have?
• What do you need in order to be more like your role models?
• How can the circle support you ?