This project establishes and builds relationships between CU Boulder students and faculty and Colorado-based LGBTQ+ youth-serving organizations in order to understand and support what LGBTQ+ middle and high school students want and need to improve their experiences at school. Through listening sessions and workshops led by the CU Boulder researchers, youth leaders and adult allies will strengthen their resources, knowledge and skills to improve LGBTQ+ equity in Colorado schools through advocacy and activism Three organizations have already confirmed their involvement and more may be added over the course of the project: Boulder County Health: OASOS; Rainbow Youth Center – Durango; and One Colorado.

This project seeks to: 

1. Establish mutually beneficial relationships with three to four LGBTQ+ youth-serving community organizations.
2. Elevate student voices by equipping participating students with knowledge and resources to identify and address key issues in their school communities.
3. Provide educators with information and resources so they can more effectively support students as they take on change-oriented projects.
4. Collect data from youth activists about their experiences working towards LGBTQ+ equity and how these workshops and materials informed their activism.
5. Provide expertise, mentoring and support to LGBTQ+ youth-serving organizations and their staff as they work to expand their capacity to support youth activism and youth-led organizing

The workshops will be scheduled in collaboration with community partners to capitalize on existing networks and events designed for LGBTQ+ youth and the educators who support them.

• Listening session with LGBTQ youth

  Additional Info

  These sessions will be planned by the CU Boulder team with community partners and LGBTQ youth groups to learn about youth experiences advocating for LGBTQ equity in schools. These meetings will aim to identify key questions and issues to address in workshops as well as the design of activities and materials. We will collaborate with community organizations to identify when and where to offer these sessions to ensure the greatest participation of involved youth (in person or remote). These private events scheduled in fall 2024 will be advertised through their existing communication channels.
  

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  Location

  in colorado

  Boulder

  Dates

  9/4/2024 - 11/15/2024

  Public or Private

  Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

  Program Fee

  No charge to attend/participate in activity or program