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HRC Foundation Youth Ambassador Spotlight: Miles Sanchez

The 2018 HRC Foundation Youth Ambassadors are 16 inspiring young people, ages 15 to 22, from across the country who show courage in sharing their stories and demonstrate a commitment to speaking out about issues facing LGBTQ youth. As Youth Ambassadors, they represent the HRC Foundation, using their voices to raise awareness about HRC’s youth-focused programs.

HRC recently sat down with Miles Sanchez (he/him/his), a Youth Ambassador from Denver to learn more about his work challenging LGBTQ stigma in schools. After experiencing bullying, Sanchez chose to live proudly and openly, rather than letting bullies define him. He knows that it’s important for him to be open and visible for other students who are LGBTQ, especially if they are not comfortable living openly.

With the right training and support, school staff have the potential to improve school culture and make bullying a thing of the past. HRC Foundation’s Welcoming Schools offers professional development training for elementary school educators to learn how to prevent bias-based bullying.

What inspired you to become an HRC Youth Ambassador?

Since I came out at a young age, it’s important to me to support young LGBTQ people because I know firsthand how difficult it is. I hope that the work I do as a Youth Ambassador will contribute, even just a little, so that maybe someday kids like me won’t have to fight to be themselves like I did.

What’s been one highlight of your experience as an HRC Youth Ambassador?

As a Youth Ambassador, I’ve educated myself and others on the impact of being supportive. I’ve had the honor of being a part of a group of some of the most inspiring people from all walks. It’s given me hope for myself and for the future of the LGBTQ community.

This month, HRC Foundation’s Welcoming Schools is shining a light on the impact of bias-based bullying as kids head back to school. Have you experienced bullying at school?

Coming out at a young age isn’t easy, and I was bullied for most of middle school. A lot of the kids didn’t understand the choice I was making, and they singled me out for it because I was different. I still experience ignorance as an openly transgender male in the K-12 system, but I’ve grown a lot. I chose to use my hardships to educate others that there still is still a lot of transphobia everywhere.

What’s your message to other kids experiencing bullying based on their identities?

I want to let you know that there is light at the end of the tunnel. You are important and you are loved — even when you feel like you are all alone. I’ve been there. Once you start working on not caring what other people think, the right people will be with you on your journey.  

What’s your message to teachers who want to support LGBTQ youth, but might not know where to start?

The best way to start to support your students is to be open and let students and parents know that you are a safe resource. If you use your trans students’ preferred names and pronouns right off the bat, it’s reassuring and shows that you are willing to be an ally for youth in schools. Try to find LGBTQ spaces outside of school to expand your own knowledge about your students. If you don’t have any LGBTQ spaces in your community, look into creating one for your school.

Housed by the HRC Foundation, Welcoming Schools and Time to THRIVE are national programs designed to help LGBTQ youth succeed. Welcoming Schools is the nation’s premier professional development program providing LGBTQ and gender inclusive resources to schools to reduce bullying behavior and establish a positive school climate. Time to THRIVE is an annual national conference that brings together K-12 educators, counselors and other youth-serving professionals to build awareness and cultural competency to better support LGBTQ youth.

www.hrc.org/blog/hrc-foundation-youth-ambassador-spotlight-miles-sanchez?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

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HRC Endorses Lupe Valdez in Her Historic Bid for Governor of Texas

HRC announced its endorsement of Lupe Valdez (D) in her race to become the next governor of Texas. Valdez is the first out LGBTQ Latina candidate in the country to win a major party’s nomination for governor.

“Lupe Valdez is a trailblazing champion of equality who is committed to fighting for all Texans,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “From access to affordable health care to quality public education, Lupe Valdez knows personally the struggles and challenges that keep families up at night. She is breaking down barriers, building bridges and creating pathways to success so that every Texan has the opportunity to achieve the American dream. HRC is proud to endorse Lupe Valdez in her historic bid for governor of Texas.”

“I am honored to receive the endorsement of the Human Rights Campaign. My candidacy is in large part thanks to their tireless work in eliminating discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression across Texas and the United States,” said Lupe Valdez. “With their support, I am running to inspire others to break new ground as the first Governor of Texas from the LGBTQ community, because while I am the first in many ways, what’s more important is that I’m not the last. It shouldn’t matter who you are, where you are from, what color your skin is or who you love – everyone deserves equal opportunities, and I’m fighting to make that a reality in Texas.”

Lupe Valdez’s story is the story of Texas. She is running for governor to ensure ALL Texans have an opportunity and a fighting chance. She grew up the daughter of migrant farm workers in the poorest neighborhood in San Antonio — but because she got a quality public education, served in the United States military, was able to earn a living wage, and had access to healthcare, she had a fighting chance. Lupe is a veteran, a former federal agent, and a four-term Sheriff of Dallas County.

Valdez is running to replace the incumbent, Greg Abbott (R), who has long anti-LGBTQ record. During the state legislative session last year, Abbot signed into law a patently discriminatory bill allowing child welfare organizations using taxpayer dollars — including adoption and foster care agencies — to turn away qualified LGBTQ Texans seeking to care for a child in need. The anti-LGBTQ measure also forbids the state from canceling a state contract with an agency that subjects children in their care to the incredibly dangerous and debunked practice of so-called “conversion therapy.”

In Texas, HRC has identified more than 1.7 million voters as likely “Equality Voters,” meaning they are strong supporters of progressive LGBTQ policies including marriage equality, equitable family law, and laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Last year, HRC announced a coast-to-coast campaign to mobilize voters for the midterm elections called HRC Rising, which represents the largest grassroots expansion in the organization’s 38-year history.

www.hrc.org/blog/hrc-endorses-lupe-valdez-in-her-historic-bid-for-governor-of-texas?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed