Saginaw SOGI YAC

Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Youth Advocacy Council Mission: Identify risks and explore needs for SOGI youth in our community with a focus on collaboration, education, outreach and support. Volume 1, Issue 16 August 2018

TV’s First Transgender Superhero Upcoming Events LGBTQ Youth Leadership Camp The CW series will make history by welcoming tel- Thursday, August 23, 4:30 to 6:30pm evision’s first transgender superhero in Season 4. The role of Saginaw YMCA Nia Nal, aka Dreamer, will be played by trans activist and 1915 Fordney St, Saginaw, MI 48601 actress Nicole Maines. In 2014, Maines, who has identified as a female since age 2, successfully sued her school district Understanding LGBTQ after her elementary school denied her access to the girl’s Communities restroom. It was the first time a court had ruled in favor of a transgender stu- Hosted by Perceptions dent’s right to use the restroom congruent with her gender identity. Tuesday, August 28, 7 to 9pm Based on the DC Comics character, Supergirl follows the title character as she Midland Center for the Arts learns to embrace her super powers. The series has received praise in the past for 1801 W. Saint Andrews Rd. its inclusive storytelling and accurate portrayal of the coming out process as expe- Midland, MI 48640 rienced by another lead character. In the upcoming season, the character of Nia Drag Queen Bingo Brunch Nal will join the CatCo Magazine reporting team in the fictional universe. Sunday, September 9, 1:00pm For LGBTQ youth, especially those lacking support or resources, high profile Hamilton St. Pub, 308 S. Hamilton LGBT characters and familiar storylines may be helpful in affirming their sexual/ Saginaw, MI gender identity. GLAAD, which tracks the presence of LGBTQ characters on scripted television shows, reported that representation on television is increasing. 2nd Annual Transgender Picnic In the 2016-2017 season, 4.8% (43) of the 895 series regular characters appearing Sunday, August 26, noon to 9pm in scripted primetime programs identified LGBTQ. 3582 State Park Dr Bay City, MI 48706 The fourth season of Supergirl airs October 14th at 8pm on the CW. http://www.perceptionsmi.org/ http://glaad.org/files/WWAT/WWAT_GLAAD_2016-2017.pdf

PFLAG Monthly Meeting Save the Date: LGBTQ Mental Health Conference Sunday, August 19, 7 to 9pm Our Savior Lutheran Church The first of its kind in the region, the LGBTQ Mental 2525 Hemmeter Rd, Saginaw, MI Health Conference seeks to bring together mental health leaders to discuss best practices for serving and supporting LGBTQ+ youth, adults, and family mem- bers. The conference is underwritten and supported by Mid-State Health Network (MSHN), Saginaw County SOGI YAC Next Meeting: August 28 Community Mental Health Authority (SCCMHA), the September 20, 2018 5 to 7 pm at Saginaw Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Youth 8am-5pm Advocacy Council (SOGI YAC), and Percep- Four Points by Sheraton Healthsource tions. Email [email protected] for more 4960 Towne Centre Rd 3340 Hospital Road, Saginaw MI information. Saginaw, MI 48604

Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected] or call us at (989) 573-8494 Saginaw SOGI YAC

2018 SOGI Youth Leadership Camp

This summer marked the first SOGI Youth Leadership Camp. The camp was an event to foster participation in the LGBTQ+ community from local youth and to encourage leadership development. The idea was to bring together LGBTQ+ emerging adults and allies to invoke change that would make a val- uable impact and impression on their daily experiences. The camp ran for 8-weeks and was held Thursdays at the Saginaw YMCA.

While attendance varied from week to week, the camp brought about many insights. The participants were given a goal of creating some sort of project that would be the capstone of the 8-week camp. Not only were the future leaders ambitious in their desire to design projects that were important, they sought to create something that would leave a lasting impact on the community.

One project, a video featuring the youth discussing topics ranging from “how to out to family” to ways to address bul- lying is in its final recording stage. After editing, the participants wished to make video available on YouTube and po- tentially as informative PSAs for television. Their other project idea, a homeless shelter to address the unique needs of LGBTQ+ youth, is one that would require more than the camp length would permit. However, their ideas were as in- valuable as they were informative. In all, the camp was a huge success and we thank the youth for their participation!

Center for the Arts Hosts Perspective Series SOGI YAC Survey To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the death of Matthew Shepard, a 21-year- SOGI YAC is continuing old student who was brutally attacked and to solicit responses for its annual survey. Now left to die in Laramie, WY, the Midland in its third year of Center for the Arts has developed the Per- implementation, the spective Series. In the weeks leading up to survey seeks to evaluate the September 16 performance of Conspi- the community climate and identify are’s Grammy-nominated Considering better ways to serve LGBTQ+ youth in Matthew Shepard, MCFTA is bringing the Saginaw region. together community partners to open doors to conversation through education, To date, over 650 surveys have been storytelling, and creativity. All events ex- collected. Help us reach our goal of cept Considering Matthew Shepard are 1,000 by directing area residents to: free. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ For more information, visit SaginawSOGIsurvey www.midlandcenter.org/perspectives

The following websites offer information about SOGI youth issues or local resources and support: (click to learn more) PFLAG Inclusive Justice Perceptions SEHS SOGI Initiative Delta College LGBT resources Michigan Organization on Adolescent Sexual Health The Pride Center at SVSU Youth Project Equality Michigan GLSEN

Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected] or call us at (989) 573-8494