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AFSC Gay Liberation
Program
The Gay Liberation
Program began its work in 1997 with the same-sex marriage issue. Over
the years the work has evolved and now focuses on broader social justice
issues impacting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals
in Hawai'i. We work to:
- empower LGBT youth
to become their own advocates
- create safe, supportive
schools and communities for LGBT and questioning youth
- decrease the social
and political marginalization of LGBT Kanaka Maoli and LGBT people of
color
- address and reduce
heterosexism, homophobia, and discrimination by educating the community
at large
- activate an LGBT
peace and anti-war movement in Hawai’i
Projects
- Rainbow Revolutionaries
is a youth-led initiative for LGBT youth and their allies. They meet
monthly to “talk story,” meet other youth, share ideas,
and plan events and advocacy.
- Youth Speakers
Bureau provides LGBT youth to speak about their own issues. It is an
opportunity for youth to hear from their peers about what it is like
to be LGBT and the issues they face.
- Hawai’i Safe
Schools Coalition (HSSC) works to end discrimination in schools, educate
on LGBT issues, and create safe schools for LGBT youth and their families.
As a founding member, AFSC plays a key role in this community based
coalition.
- Resource Distribution.
In collaboration with the HSSC we produce a Student Resource Card informing
youth of their rights and how to handle violations of those rights.
We also developed a bookmark directed at educators which gives teachers
some information on LGBT youth and how to handle harassment.
- Sticks & Stones
Workshop is a training developed to accompany a 10-minute documentary
about growing up gay, lesbian, or transgender in Hawai’i. The
workshop is primarily directed at educators and people that work with
youth but can be adapted to various audiences. The workshop covers the
issues LGBT youth face, strategies for creating safe spaces, and ways
to intervene in a situation of anti-LGBT harassment.
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