Participants at The Attic Youth Center were given some words of encouragement, along with school supplies and more, at a back-to-school event at the LGBT-youth center last week.
Organized by Latonya Myers, the Friday-evening event connected youth from the center with mentors, who shared their stories of succeeding in school, despite challenges of growing up LGBT.
“We had a transgender woman speak who’s now 40 and who came out at 16,” Myers said. “She told them that she didn’t have as much support as there is today, and that no one should be ashamed to go to school as they are. She encouraged them to put all the effort they can toward the dreams and goals that they set for themselves.”
It was a message, Myers said, that resonated with the teens.
“A couple kids pulled the mentors aside and asked them personal questions,” she said. “They were really into it, asking questions and learning. We asked the kids what they wanted to do and be, and some said writers or fashion designers. They were really participating.”
Myers said she was motivated to create the event after seeing youth in the Gayborhood who appeared to be couch-surfing, and reflecting on her own school experiences.
“I know what it was like going through school on my own,” Myers said. “I faced adversity because of my sexuality, not being able to fit in at school, and I know how it feels to not have a family member there to push you to get up and go to school or not having someone as excited about your future as you are. So I thought, why can’t we come together as a community and get these kids everything they need to go back to school and make sure their school year is successful?”
In addition to the inspirational advice, Myers worked with community businesses — like Pizzeria Cappelli and Cappelli Brothers Cigar Company, as well as 12th Street Gym and ICandy — to design an event that armed youth with items to help them “go back to school with pride.”
Youth were able to get free haircuts, dine on pizza, pasta and water ice and each received a backpack full of school supplies, like notebooks, writing instruments and pencil cases. There were also H&M gift cards to help youth get new school wardrobes.
Myers applauded Nellie Fitzpatrick, director of the Office of LGBT Affairs, for supporting the effort and helping her craft an outline for it.
Myers added she was impressed by the community involvement, and the youth feedback, and is eager to stage similar events in the future. She also plans to return to The Attic to volunteer.
“I want to continue to do events that motivate kids,” she said. “We have so many positive people within the community and I want to show them that you can be a successful lesbian or transgender person or whatever the case may be. There are so many professionals out there all around us who are getting things done. We just need to all be connected.”