“Our young people are a beautiful reflection of what’s actually possible in the world. They are so unapologetic about who they are, and at the same time I feel like their hearts are broken because the world’s so cruel right now. They’re getting misgendered at school, there are horrible bills at the state house; and national leadership is essentially saying that they don’t deserve to exist. And then we want to know why there’s increasing rates of mental health symptoms and suicidality among queer and trans youth – as if they need more reasons to not want to be alive.

At KYC, youth are invited into a space that allows them to set their armor down, even if it’s just a little bit, to come in and just breathe. They make friendships and build community with one another.

Young people are very clear about what they’re experiencing. They have language and are emotionally intelligent. And what they really want, and need is for the adults – the teachers, the providers, parents, and politicians to learn from them and be supportive of who they are.

Too many adults are concerned about the body parts and reproductive health of youth and young adults. It’s disturbing and gross. There are so many ways to express care and concern, that if there was genuine care for their lives and well-being of queer and trans youth, we would not see this focus on banning health care and creating additional barriers to make it harder for them to exist.

The attacks and removal of rights are dehumanizing, cruel, and blatant discrimination. No one should have to ask for permission to exist. We trust young people and are committed to the work of creating a safer, kinder, and more affirming world in which they get to thrive.

Each of us has a vision of what’s possible in the world. We do not have to recreate or perpetuate the current systems of harm. This is what gives me hope. I believe that when we’re able to lean into a shared vision of liberation, then we will begin to see sustainable change occur.”

– Erin Upchurch MSSA, LISW-S is the Executive Director of Kaleidoscope Youth Center, which provides a safer place, programming, and leadership opportunities so that LGBTQIA+ youth can be free to explore who they are and empowered to become their confident, truest self.