The Fight for Equality: YPT Partners with SMYAL

On my way into work this morning, I listened to a call-in advice show on which a sixteen-year old girl from my home state asked for advice about a problem with her mom.  The girl had recently come out as gay, and her mother was threatening to stop paying for her private school, had forbidden her from coming out to anyone else, and had told her that her sexuality was “unnatural”.  The host of the show assured the caller that her mother would come to terms with the news and become more supportive, and even knowing how likely that is, the call still broke my heart.

The difficulties that openly gay youth face today have received much national attention over the last year or so, due in part to the seeming epidemic of suicides among gay teenagers in recent years.  While a number of amazing  projects  have dealt with the issue nationally, it is always refreshing to see local organizations responding as well.  The Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL) is a DC nonprofit that has served lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth since long before it was trendy.

YPT was fortunate enough to work with SMYAL’s Youth Arts Ensemble this year to create an original play.  I had the honor of seeing this play when the students performed it at the Columbia Heights Community Center on June 23, 2011.

While SMYAL primarily deals with gay/gender rights, the students delved into a number of relevant issues.  Throughout a series of short vignettes, they examined matters of racial profiling, drug abuse and mental health, as well as homophobia, gay marriage and gender identity.  It was inspiring to see these talented students engaging in scenes that explored topics they clearly cared about wholly and passionately.  Even more wonderful was seeing the support they received from the community through both the amazing staff at SMYAL and the audience that had come to encourage them.  It is such a relief to know that any gay students in DC facing a reaction at home similar to the teenage girl I heard this morning have a place to go that not only accepts them, but also encourages them to share their stories with the world.

It is obvious that the fight for equality in America is far from over, but if the next generation is anything like the students I saw perform with SMYAL last month, I’d say we have a pretty impressive group leading the charge.

Be sure to check out another brave student performance when the students of YPT’s Young Playwrights’ Workshop present Out of the Shadow, their original play about bullying, at the Capital Fringe Festival next week.

Laurie
Program Associate

Something to SMYAL About

Back in October, YPT initiated a partnership with another organization that serves our city’s youth: Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL).

Partnering with SMYAL has been a dream of mine for a couple years now. As a queer woman, I can’t help wondering about LGBT youth within the walls of every school I step into. In light of the recent tragic suicides within this national community, the need to hear these students’ voices is even more urgent.

SMYAL is located in a cozy blue row house on Capitol Hill. I noticed immediately that the youth who walked through SMYAL’s door felt at home. They readily prepared Hot Pockets in the kitchen, flopped on the couches, and gave friendly greetings to staff and youth alike. This is a community, built on mutual respect and trust.

My role is to work within SMYAL’s Youth Arts Program, ably lead by Stephanie Remick, Youth Leadership Coordinator. I will continue working with this group all year.

I told the youth when I first met them that at YPT we believe every person has a story worth telling. I want to give them the opportunity to tell theirs. With such a close-knit bunch, I knew that I would have to earn everyone’s trust.

During one workshop I led the youth in a story sharing exercise. We split into partnerships, and I instructed them to tell their partners the story of a time when they felt proud of themselves. My partner was clearly still trying to figure me out. She shared a proud moment, but without detail, just a bold declaration, leaving me to fill in the blanks.

When it came time to share I told the students that instead of sharing their own stories they would share what their partner told them. On top of that, they would share their partner’s story in the first person and attempt to imitate his/her gestures, tone of voice, etc.

I took the floor. I shifted my weight and assumed a standoffish pose. I did my best impersonation of my partner’s voice, and tried to match her boldness.

“I graduated high school. Until you graduate high school, you’re still a child.”

She cracked up. Her body language softened, and she congratulated me on my performance. It was a small moment, but I knew that I had expanded her perception of me. Perhaps I could be trusted.

Currently we’re working on the creation of a short performance to mark the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN)’s “No Name-Calling Week.” I’m excited to hear the youth’s contributions to this much-discussed topic. It promises to be eye opening.

Nicole
Program Manager