Announcing the First National Queer Youth of Faith Day on June 30th, 2020
Announcing the First National Queer Youth of Faith Day on June 30th, 2020
(Seattle, WA) - Queer Youth of Faith Day (#QYFDay) is the first national multi-faith celebration of queer youth from all religious backgrounds. Launching on June 30th, the last day of Pride, #QYFDay has a simple message to youth: Take pride in all of who you are, including your gender identity, sexuality, ethnicity, and faith!
#QYFDay is sponsored by Beloved Arise, a Christian nonprofit dedicated to celebrating and empowering LGBTQIA+ youth and actively seeking other faith traditions and organizations to celebrate and promote #QYFDay. On June 30th, a #QYFDay party will be streamed as a virtual event through Beloved Arise’s Instagram, featuring youth speakers, essay winners of Beloved Arise’s essay contest, and musicians such as Trey Pearson, a GLAAD Award nominated musician, and Brian Falduto who will release an official theme song and music video. Confirmed cosponsors of #QYFDay include The Trevor Project, Human Rights Campaign, PFLAG, JQY (Jewish Queer Youth), Keshet (LGBTQ Equality in Jewish Life), Galva-108 (LGBTI Vaishnavas & Hindus), Muslim for Progressive Values, Reconciling Ministries Network, Q Christian Fellowship, The Reformation Project, Buddhist Churches of America, Gender Spectrum, Mama Bears, Free Mom Hugs, Freed Hearts, Queerology podcast, Mama Bears, Interfaith Alliance, BCA Center for Buddhist
Education, and Trey Pearson.
Queer youth of faith are an under-served demographic. Gen Z (age 13-18) teenagers are twice as likely than adults to identify as LGBT, according to Barna. More than 1 in 3 LGBTQ youth identify with a religion, and 1 in 4 describe it as “important” or “very important” to them -- especially Black and Native American youth - according to The Trevor Project.
Despite the high prevalence of religiosity and queerness among youth, there are few organizations that exclusively serve this segment of the population; most resources to help people integrate their queerness and faith are geared towards adults. The paucity of services for queer youth of faith is tragic because religiosity is associated with higher rates of suicide among LGBTQ youth. The irony is that research suggests that religion is generally a factor that reduces the likelihood of suicidality -- except when it comes to LGBTQ people, especially youth.
“There is an immense need for national awareness among youth that it is possible to be LGBTQ and religious,” said Jun Young, the founder of Beloved Arise. “We see that through our work at Beloved Arise. Most of our programs are digital, reaching youth through Instagram and weekly online meetings that regularly draw 30-40 youth attendees across the U.S. We do this because we know that youth are incredibly tech-savvy and don’t enjoy freedom of movement as most adults do. Their primary outlet of freedom and exploration is their phones, especially during this COVID-19 pandemic. After working with LGBTQ+ youth from Christian communities, we sensed a need to launch a broader campaign, partnering with other organizations to reach queer youth of all religious backgrounds. This is why we created #QYFDay and calling on the entire LGBTQ+ community and allies to celebrate with us!”
To take action, go to www.qyfday.org and share on social media with the hashtag #QYFDay. If you are a clergy member or organization who would like to sign on as a sponsor for this event, contact sarah.ngu@belovedarise.org. Full media briefing available here.
Queer Youth of Faith Day, or #QYFDay, is the first national multi-faith celebration of queer youth from all religious backgrounds. It is sponsored by Beloved Arise, a Christian nonprofit dedicated to empowering and celebrating queer youth of faith. Cosponsors of #QYFDay include The Trevor Project, Human Rights Campaign (HRC), PFLAG, JQY (Jewish Queer Youth), Muslim for Progressive Values, Keshet (LGBTQ Equality in Jewish Life), Galva-108 (LGBTI Vaishnavas & Hindus), Reconciling Ministries Network, Q Christian Fellowship, Buddhist Churches of America, Gender Spectrum, Mama Bears, Free Mom Hugs, The Reformation Project, Freed Hearts, Queerology, Mama Bears, Interfaith Alliance, BCA Center for Buddhist
Education, and Trey Pearson.
Media contact: Beloved Arise, sarah.ngu@belovedarise.org