#QYFDAY 2024 Press & Media Kit
Press Release
Beloved Arise Celebrates Queer Youth of Faith Day with 'The Power of And’ Campaign
In honor of the fifth annual Queer Youth of Faith Day on June 30, Beloved Arise continues to amplify the voices of religious LGBTQIA+ youth
SEATTLE, WA – Beloved Arise, the leading national organization dedicated to celebrating and empowering LGBTQIA+ youth of faith, will host their fifth annual Queer Youth of Faith Day celebration on June 30. Leading up to the big day, the organization will launch ‘The Power of And’ — a social media campaign highlighting the personal journeys of queer youth from a variety of religious and spiritual backgrounds.
“Queer youth in religious spaces are often pressured to choose between their faith or their queer identities,” says Jun Love Young, founder of Beloved Arise. “This rigid dichotomy is harmful to one’s identity and mental health — and it’s completely unnecessary. We refuse to accept the tyranny of ‘or’ and instead celebrate the power of ‘and,’” he adds.
Throughout Pride Month this June, Beloved Arise will spotlight the stories of LGBTQIA+ youth who embrace both their faith AND queer identities.
The organization’s message shines through its three youth ambassadors, Sid High (he/him), Christian and Trans, Sabrina Hodak (she/her), Jewish and Bisexual, and Mia Miller (they/them), Muslim and Queer. The youth ambassadors are at the forefront of these conversations and represent the nonprofit's dream for all queer youth navigating their spiritual journeys.
These elements will all commemorate on Queer Youth of Faith Day with an inspiring and meaningful youth-led celebration. The three youth ambassadors will come together to host an Instagram live, where participants will be making friendship bracelets while holding conversations relating to the power of AND.
These celebrations are part of Beloved Arise’s ongoing work to celebrate and empower queer youth of faith. Earlier this year, the nonprofit hosted a national essay contest for high school seniors. The annual contest, which awards $10,000 in academic scholarships, has become a powerful platform for queer youth to share their stories of faith, resilience, and hope.
“The profound impact of my faith shaped who I am, influencing my lifestyle, and shaping my worldview. I have learned that the intricate integration of my faith and spirituality with my queer identity reveals a harmonious coexistence that enriches my sense of self,” says Laila, an essay contest participant who is a Taoist and Bisexual.
Beloved Arise has also recently launched the first national mentorship program for queer youth of faith. During the pilot of the program, queer youth of Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Hindu faith were paired with queer mentors of the same faith.
“It has been amazing to be mentored by someone who I can connect with on a spiritual level,” said Youth ambassador, Mia Miller about the mentorship program.
To learn more about Beloved Arise, Queer Youth of Faith Day and its mentorship program, please visit www.belovedarise.org.
About Beloved AriseBeloved Arise is the first national organization dedicated to empowering youth to embrace both their faith and their queer identity. We are a movement to fight for the lives of LGBTQIA+ youth, particularly those who exist in the margins of their faith communities. Beloved Arise is a multi-faith community that celebrates and embraces queer youth and young adults from all faith traditions. We uplift and empower LGBTQ+ young people in all spiritual beliefs, identities, expressions, and aspirations.
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Youth Ambassadors 2024
LGBTQ+ & Muslim・ Texas
Photograph by Mia Miller Archives
Mia Miller Bio →
LGBTQ+ & Jewish・ Florida
Photograph by Tiny House Photo for Beloved Arise
Sabrina Hodak Bio →
LGBTQ+ & Christian・ Iowa
Photograph by Sid High Archives
Sid High Bio →
Bios & Photos
Dr. Jun Love Young, Founder of Beloved Arise
Photo credit: Stanton Stephens
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Jun (he/him) 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.
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On Queer Youth of Faith Day, we celebrate LGBTQ+ youth who refuse to accept the tyranny of “or” – and we join them in proclaiming the power of “and.” Order your Power of ‘And’ tee and hoodie to show your support on June 30th. When you shop at the Beloved Arise Store, 100% of the profits go to funding our work with LGBTQ+ youth.
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Press Contact
Haylee Elmore & Grace Connor, Interdependence Public Relations
(602) 350-1455 | belovedarise@interdependence.com
