RYA Rainbow Youth and Allies - Howard Co., MD  Saturday January 28, 2012 News     Calendar    Links PO Box 1479 Columbia, MD 21044 Phone: 443-280-9047 Web: www.pflagmd.org/rya Email: rya_leaders@hotmail.com About Us Rainbow Youth and Allies (Howard County, MD) provides a safe space for youth (up to age 22) who are Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, & Transgendered (GLBT), as well as their allies. Meetings are 7:30pm on the 2nd & 4th Tues. of the month, at Owen Brown Interfaith Center, 7246 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, MD. RYA is affiliated with PFLAG Howard Co. (Parents and Friends of Lesbians & Gays). To confirm meeting room locations, contact facilitator: Stacie at rya_leaders@hotmail.com. Or call 410-280-9047. Please note that RYA is a support group, not a counseling service. A Parent's Support Group is also available (call or write facilitators for details).     News & Announcements   USA TODAY STORY: Gay teens coming out earlier to peers and family Gay teenagers are "coming out" earlier than ever, and many feel better about themselves than earlier generations of gays, youth leaders and researchers say. The change is happening in the wake of opinion polls that show growing acceptance of gays, more supportive adults and positive gay role models in popular media. Click on "More Info", to view the full story.    More Info... Getting Support - Coming Out Check out "Getting Support - Coming Out" on the Ntional PFLAG Website (click more info below). The "Frequently Asked Questions" page has answers to 15 questions that often come up when someone is Coming Out. There are tips on the Do's & Don'ts and "Dealing with the Holidays". On the "Resources" page you will find information about books and videos that will help with the Coming Out Process. The Rainbow Youth Alliance has been registered as an organizational endorser and will be receiving information for its members in the near future. If you are interested in further information, click on "more info" to be directed to their website.    More Info... American Psychiatric Ass'n Opposes Therapy to Change Sexual Orientation APA affirms its 1973 position that homosexuality per se is not a diagnosable mental disorder. Recent publicized efforts to repathologize homosexuality by claiming that it can be cured are often guided not by rigorous scientific or psychiatric research, but sometimes by religious and political forces opposed to full civil rights for gay men and lesbians. APA recommends that the APA respond quickly and appropriately as a scientific organization when claims that homosexuality is a curable illness are made by political or religious groups.    More Info... Article: Life of a Gay Teen Check out this great article about the life of a gay teen in Arlington VA from The Washington Post.    More Info... 2010 PFLAG Columbia/Howard County Scholarship The PFLAG Columbia/Howard County Chapter is pleased to announce its 4rd annual academic scholarship. The scholarship awards $1,000 to outstanding LGBT and ally students. Applicants must be a resident of the Maryland and currently attending or planning to attend a post-secondary educational institution. The deadline for submissions is May 1, 2010. Please click on "More Info" to link directly to the scholarship's website. Please email the facilitators with any questions you may have about the scholarship program at rya_leaders@hotmail.com.    More Info...   Calendar of Events   March 22 Tuesday RYA Meeting Owen Brown Interfaith Center   -   Mar. 22, 7:30 PM to Mar. 22, 10:00 PM RYA general meeting. April 12 Tuesday RYA Meeting Owen Brown Interfaith Center   -   Apr. 12, 7:30 PM to Apr. 12, 10:00 PM Tuesday meeting April 26 Tuesday RYA Hosted Meeting Owen Brown Interfaith Center   -   Apr. 26, 7:30 PM to Apr. 26, 10:00 PM RYA general meeting May 10 Tuesday RYA Meeting Owen Brown Interfaith Center   -   May. 10, 7:30 PM to May. 10, 10:00 PM RYA General Meeting May 24 Tuesday RYA Meeting Owen Brown Interfaith Center   -   May. 24, 7:30 PM to May. 24, 10:00 PM RYA General Meeting   Related Links   GLSEN- Baltimore Chapter - http://glsenbalto.blogspot.com/ Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network (GLSEN) of Baltimore. It works to ensure that all Baltimore schools provide a safe environment for all students, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity, brings Baltimore youth, educators, parents, and citizens concerned with GBLT issues together, and holds events for Baltimore area GSAs. Past events have included coffeehouses, youth summits, and more*. *(Information from GLSEN Baltimore Blog) Gay-Straight Alliance Network - www.gsanetwork.org/ Gay-Straight Alliance Network is a youth-led organization that connects school-based Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) to each other and community resources. Through peer support, leadership development, and training, GSA Network supports young people in starting, strengthening, and sustaining GSAs. Author Brent Hartinger's Website - www.brenthartinger.com Lot's of cool stuff from the author of The Geography Club- including a blog, listing of published books, & other related information. Gay and Lesbian National Hotline - www.glnh.org This hotline serves gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals, in addition to those questioning their sexual orientation or identity. The hotline offers free and confidential peer-counseling, information, and local resources (with over 18,000 listings) for cities and towns throughout the United States. Topics discussed include coming-out issues, relationship concerns, HIV/AIDS anxiety and safer-sex information and lots more. Steve Charing's OUTspoken Blog - www.stevecharing.blogspot.com PFLAG Columbia/HC's own Steve Charing, our media coordinator, operates a blog with commentary on a variety of issues but focusing on the struggle for LGBT equality. Steve also is the Senior Political Analyst for Baltimore OUTloud, a publication dedicated to the LGBT community in and around Baltimore. PFLAG Columbia/Howard County, Maryland - www.pflagmd.org Parents & Friends of Lesbians & Gays is a Community Support Group for anyone who has a different sexual orientation than "The Norm". PFLAG also sponsors a Parent's Support Group as well as a Youth Group (RYA) that helps to educate people on GLBT issues and provide understanding and acceptance from a group of people who truly understand the experience of being different. PFLAG National Organization - http://www.pflag.org/ In 1972, holding a sign that read "I LOVE MY GAY SON", Jeanne Manford sparked national attention at the annual Gay Pride Parade in New York City. Many gay and lesbian people ran up to Jeanne during the parade and begged her to talk to their parents. Jeanne decided to begin a support group and the first formal meeting took place in March 1973 where approx. 20 people attended. Today there are over 450 chapters around the U.S. including Canada, England, France, Germany and Mexico. What Makes Someone Gay? - by The National Mental Health Association - http://www.nmha.org/whatdoesgaymean/questions.cfm Some people believe gay people are born gay, while others believe they choose to be gay. Most researchers believe sexual orientation is complex, and that biology plays an important role. This means that many people are born with their sexual orientation, or that it is established at an early age. Books for GLBT Youth! - www.pinkbooks.com Pinkbooks is a specialist site for books and resources about gay and lesbian teenagers and young people. Gay books and lesbian books can be hard for gay teens to find- by providing links and information, Pinkbooks aims to make it easier for gay and lesbian youth to see their lives reflected in the literature they read.