In some ways this has been a difficult quarter. Three Connecticut youth who identified on the LGBTQ spectrum died by suicide since our last update. That is unbelievably painful to their families and friends -- and to us who have made LGBTQ youth support our mission for the past 25 years.
I want to share with you my message (below) from the press conference we held along with Senator Richard Blumenthal, CT Child Advocate Sarah Eagan and Executive Director of the Commission on Children, Women and the Elderly on July 5th. I hope it leads you to take some action as an ally or LGBTQ adult to intervene when your hear mean; to volunteer in organizations that share your values, and to speak up and out. As LGBTQ/Ally adults we need to do more to make this world a safer place for our children.
At the same time, we are very grateful that your support allows us to do what we do. Here is some of what your donations helped make possible between last quarter:
I am also honored to note that I was chosen as Connecticut’s representative for The Advocates 50 American Heroes and one of the 50 Stories about Pride in USA Today in June. Thank you for your support. We know we couldn’t do what we do without YOU! And we are very grateful.
Warmly yours,
Robin McHaelen, Executive Director
July 5, 2017 Press Conference remarks: Robin McHaelen, Executive Director
Thank you all for coming. My name is Robin McHaelen. I am the Executive Director of True Colors, Inc. a Hartford-based, statewide agency dedicated to ensuring that youth of all orientations and genders are valued and affirmed, at home, at school, and in the community at large.
A reporter asked me if we were going to have youth here to tell their stories. I said no. Although youth are being dramatically impacted by what is going on, they are not responsible for it.
We are. This is a grown-ups problem. This is a problem where so-called adults spend much of their time, making so many people, “other”. Refugees, undocumented immigrants, Muslims, people with disabilities, unarmed Black men and women, and people who are transgender.
Much of the rhetoric isn’t new – but it has been generations since so many people felt so empowered to act on their biases publically.
Words fly, kids die and Trump tweets on.
It is time for actual grownups to say, enough is enough. Stop it. Just stop it. It is time for us to act like grown-ups. And it is past time for every grown person to speak up.
When you hear mean, intervene. No matter who says it. Biases are passed from generation to generation. Every time we hear something and we don’t say something – we have said something. We have said what just happened is okay with us. It is not okay.
A lot of us grew up with the adage, “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me…” it was wrong then and it is wrong now. Words do matter.
As adults, we have an obligation to model respect for differences (on both sides of the aisle). We have an obligation to model civil discourse. We have an obligation to interrupt intolerance every time it rears its ugly words and its even uglier actions.
It isn’t that hard. Hear something? Say something. Say, ouch. Or I disagree, or I feel differently about that. Or please don’t use that language around me or my children. Or stop it. Just stop it.
Words fly and kids die. It is long past time for every one of us to take responsibility for that.
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Like every year, our 1st quarter report focuses on our annual conference. The 24th annual True Colors conference, "Imagine a world!" was incredibly successful - largely due to the support of people like YOU!
“Not only was it the place where I learned I was transgender 7 years ago, this conference is responsible for helping me become the activist I am today. If it weren't for true colors, … I would have never had the courage to stand up for my rights in high school and college, and trained the faculty on transgender rights. I just wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart, and let you know how much the conference and organization means to me.” —a young adult participant
“I wanted to reach out to you and tell you what an amazing time I had this weekend...I was educated, enlightened and inspired. What a very necessary organization you have for these amazing youth.” —a presenter
“You have created an environment filled with joy for another year for our students to enjoy. I also took away valuable information as an educator.”— a teacher
With more than 3,500 participates, we imagine thousands of more stories like these. Support like yours made experiences like theirs possible. We are very grateful.
Please feel free to contact us at (860) 232-0050 or by email at director@ourtruecolors.org. We would love to hear from you -- feedback about our reports, programs etc; for more information about the programs your donations help support or for any reason. Your voice is always welcome here.
Thank you again. Together, we imagine -- a create - a world in which every child is welcomed, valued and affirmed.
Robin
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Thank you. No, really, THANK YOU! As I am sure you have seen and felt since November 8th, our world has tipped onto its side. Everything feels more than a bit off-kilter. We moved from a regime that supported our lives and identities to one that we have reason to suspect will be far less kind, let alone inclusive.
We get calls and emails from kids, especially transgender kids, who fear for their futures and don’t know what to do. It is hard to comfort them when they feel so hated.
At the same time, there are people like you in the world. People who have our backs. People who stand up, and stand out, against oppression. People who put their time, energy – and resources into helping us all survive.
We are very, very grateful.
In the weeks since the election, True Colors has re-doubled our efforts to support the youth we serve. We have offered a place for them to come and share their stories, get hugs or just talk. Friday night activities continue, as does our training, mentoring, conference organizing and other programming.
In January, we are hosting a week of intersectional action beginning with Brother Outsider, exploring the courage and actions of Bayard Rustin; a Martin Luther King Day Summit for High school/middle school Gay/Straight Alliance members and an Inauguation day Pot Luck. In each case we are bringing prople together to strengthen community, network and plan for our next steps in a scary new world.
We couldn’t do any of what we do without you. Thank you for having our back. Thank you for being who you are in the world. And thank you for helping us do what we do for the kids we all serve.
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