Tag Archives: Mitigating Gender and Racial Bias: Intersectionality and Allyship

June is National Pride Month, a time to reflect on the actions and courageous efforts of countless LGBT+ individuals in our history who fought for the rights of entire communities that faced unjust violence, discrimination, or were flat-out ignored by larger society. Every Wednesday throughout June we provided a social media highlight on an amazing LGBT+ individual whose community work changed the course of American, and LGBT+, history. Read all 5 features on Harvey Milk, Gilbert Baker, Marsha P. Johnson, Bayard Rustin, and Stormé DeLarverie in this compilation-style blog post.

Adolescence can be a difficult time. Trying to develop independence, finding yourself, body changes and first loves. For me I had a wonderful childhood, however, when adolescence hit, things changed. I tried to fit in and experience all the things I was SUPPOSED to according to society's norms. Those experiences didn't work for me, and I thought there was something wrong with me. My way of dealing with it was to use drugs, alcohol and engage in self-destructive behaviors. There were no support groups, no one to talk to about my confusion. I went on through my teens and twenties struggling to fit in. At the age of 28 I kissed a woman and my life changed...

Articles continue to pop up on my newsfeed about how the pandemic has been detrimental to the mental health of many, especially young people. The isolation, lack of connection with peers, and the uptick in violence within homes and racism within communities during the last 2+ years have led to a mental health crisis for youth.  According to the 2021 CDC Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey (ABES) of 7,705 high school students, nearly half reported they persistently felt sad or hopeless and experienced emotional abuse in the home, while The Trevor Project’s 2021 Survey showed that 70% of LGBTQ+ youth stated that their mental health was “poor” most of the time or always during COVID-19.  In October 2021, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) declared a national emergency in children's mental health. AAP President, Gabrielle A. Carlson said, “We are caring for young people with soaring rates of depression, anxiety, trauma, loneliness, and suicidality that will have lasting

El Manual S.O.G.I.E Handbook (la expresión de la orientación sexual e identidad de género) ahora está disponible en inglés y español. El Manual S.O.G.I.E. es una guía para aumentar el conocimiento y la comprensión de conceptos, términos, definiciones y praxis para crear entornos de seguridad para todo joven quien se identifique sobre el espectro S.O.G.I.E.   // The S.O.G.I.E Handbook (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression) is now available in both Spanish and English. The S.O.G.I.E. Handbook is a guide to expand understanding and knowledge of concepts, terminology, definitions, and actionable affirming practices and approaches to create safety for all youth along the SOGIE spectra. 

2022 is the 25th Anniversary of One Circle Foundation. Walk through a snapshot of the One Circle Foundation journey to see where it all began and how OCF became the organization that is thriving today.