My platform for my reign of Mr Phoenix Gay Pride is GLSEN (The Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network). The why is easy. They help promote safe schools. Not just for LGBTQ youth but for everyone. I look at kids today and they don’t realize how lucky they are, really. Many schools now have a Gay/Straight Alliance (GSA) and counselors who are both knowledgeable and supportive. Many gay and lesbian juniors and seniors are finding they can take their partners to prom with little upset. Trans kids are more able to express their gender identity than ever before. Yes, there is still bullying, ignorance and intolerance. This is evident by the rash of LGBTQ teen suicides over the last year or so. Luckily, thanks in part to Dan Savage’s It Gets Better Project, that number has dropped to next to nothing. But the bullying is still there.
Since winning my Pride title back in March I’ve been asked a few times what my platform is for this year, and why. So I figure I’d answer both questions here.
My platform for my reign of Mr Phoenix Gay Pride is GLSEN (The Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network). The why is easy. They help promote safe schools. Not just for LGBTQ youth but for everyone. I look at kids today and they don’t realize how lucky they are, really. Many schools now have a Gay/Straight Alliance (GSA) and counselors who are both knowledgeable and supportive. Many gay and lesbian juniors and seniors are finding they can take their partners to prom with little upset. Trans kids are more able to express their gender identity than ever before. Yes, there is still bullying, ignorance and intolerance. This is evident by the rash of LGBTQ teen suicides over the last year or so. Luckily, thanks in part to Dan Savage’s It Gets Better Project, that number has dropped to next to nothing. But the bullying is still there.
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