Beloved Arise Press & Media Kit

Feb 14

Our Story

Beloved Arise is the only national organization dedicated to empowering youth to proudly embrace both their faith and their queer identity.

Launched on Valentine’s Day 2020, this labor of love started because a group of friends in Seattle, Washington, saw the shame and suffering of LGBTQ+ youth in their own congregation and in faith communities across the country. They heard heartbreaking stories from young believers rejected by those they loved and trusted most — parents, pastors, and teachers.

They discovered how queer youth of faith are among the most vulnerable members of the LGBTQ+ community. Religion is important to 1 in 4 LGBTQ+ youth, but they have been told they are unwelcome in God’s family. As a result, many stop engaging with their faith community. Others experience such despair and self-loathing that they lose their will to live. An estimated 1.8 million LGBTQ+ youth and young adults seriously consider suicide each year.

The founders of Beloved Arise wanted to send a message to these youth in Seattle and beyond: you are beloved just as you are. No caveats, no limits, no exceptions. They didn’t want young people to have to choose between what they believe and who they are or who they love.

Over the last two years, Beloved Arise has worked to bring healing and hope to queer youth who have experienced rejection and shame from their faith communities. As other organizations work to advance LGBTQ+ inclusion in faith communities, we offer support and a sense of community to vulnerable youth until that reform happens.

Our Work

To support our mission to celebrate and empower queer youth of faith, Beloved Arise offers a variety of programs, community and resources for youth ages 13-19 who struggle to reconcile their faith and their God-given queer identity.

Beloved Arise has reached thousands of young people with our message of love. Since our inception in 2020, we have:

Published original content to encourage LGBTQ+ youth of faith – including books, guides, art and an album of original songs of love dedicated to queer youth
Nurtured hundreds of kids at our weekly virtual youth group called “Rebel”
Created access to mental health services and awarded academic scholarships
Founded Queer Youth of Faith Day to celebrate youth from all faith traditions
Raised awareness for queer youth of faith through national media coverage
Inspired more than 40,000 youth and allies on Instagram and TikTok

Many programs and resources are delivered online where teens spend their time; this digital outreach is a cost-effective, scalable way to reach young people, especially in communities that lack queer-affirming resources. Beloved Arise is complementing this online presence by forming local groups in places of worship and college campuses – in-person communities where young people can fully belong, connect with others and grow in their faith together.

Beloved Arise also works to mobilize allies to take action. Through targeted grassroots campaigns and partnerships, we aim to inspire influencers who will make noise, artists who will create, teachers who will mentor, faith leaders who will advocate, and everyday people who will make room in their hearts for kids in their local communities who need to be loved.

Christian Roots, Multi-Faith Vision

Initially focused on youth in Christian spaces, Beloved Arise is evolving to serve queer youth from any religious tradition where LGBTQ+ inclusion falls short. We aspire to be a resource hub for all queer youth of faith – because every young life matters!

One step in this multi-year journey is to develop the right partnerships. We are forming a multi-faith coalition of faith leaders and youth organizations so we can learn from each other and find ways to collaborate on behalf of all LGBTQ+ youth of faith.

Beloved Arise also sponsors the annual Queer Youth of Faith Day. Held every June 30 as part of Pride month, #QYFDay is a multi-faith celebration of LBGTQ+ youth from all faith traditions and religious communities.

Press Photos

*Dr. Jun Love Young, Founder of Beloved Arise*
Photo credit: Stanton Stephens
Download *.jpg*

Jun is the founder and CEO of ZUM Communications, an award-winning digital storytelling and communications agency in Seattle. With more than 20 years of experience in corporate communications, Jun’s passion is to help people and organizations communicate with remarkable impact. Prior to ZUM, he served as Microsoft’s Director of Communications, where he launched several flagship products, including Windows. Jun holds a Doctorate in Communication from the University of Washington and was named by the Puget Sound Business Journal as one of the region’s most notable entrepreneurs. In 2020, Jun founded Beloved Arise, and he currently serves as Director. Born and raised in the Philippines, Jun loves to travel the world with his two amazing teenage daughters.