RYA
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| About Us |
| Rainbow Youth Alliance (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, 7426 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, MD. RYA is affiliated with PFLAG Howard Co. (Parents and Friends of Lesbians & Gays). To confirm meeting room locations, contact facilitator: Erin at rya_leaders@hotmail.com. Or call 410-290-8292. 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). |
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| USA TODAY STORY: Gay teens coming out earlier to peers and family |
| Getting Support - Coming Out |
| American Psychiatric Ass'n Opposes Therapy to Change Sexual Orientation |
| PFLAG National Scholarship |
| PFLAG Columbia/Howard County Scholarship |
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January 6 Sunday |
Join the RYA as we celebrate the holiday season! Please email the facilitator by Thursday, January 3rd to RSVP for the event. |
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January 22 Tuesday |
Join us as we meet with representatives from the newly formed FreeState Law Project, find out ways to get involved and discuss current events. Come and bring a friend! |
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February 11 Monday |
PFLAG Columbia/HC will be carpooling to Annapolis for Equality Maryland's Lobby Day. Meet at 3pm at the Owen Brown Interfaith Center. See link below for more information. |
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February 12 Tuesday |
OBIC will be closed due to elections, so we will be unable to meet for our second Tuesday meeting. Please join us on February 26th for our next RYA meeting! |
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February 23 Saturday |
Join the Baltimore Chapter of GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network) for their 2008 youth summit and dance at Towson University. It is always a fun and informative event for the RYA. Please see link below for more info. Register by February 13th. Hope to see you there! |
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February 26 Tuesday |
Join your friends for our February RYA meeting. Refreshments will be served! Bring a friend! |
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March 25 Tuesday |
RYA movie night! Please come and bring a friend! Popcorn will be provided :) |
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April 8 Tuesday |
PFLAG General Meeting- Positive Voices Performs!! See www.pflagmd.org for more information. |
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April 22 Tuesday |
RYA is attempting to hold our 4th Tuesday meeting at Towson University and listen to Coming Out Monologues hosted by their Queer Student Union (QSU). There is an event posted on facebook. Check back for more info, or email the facilitators ASAP if you plan to attend: rya_leaders@hotmail.com. |
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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.
