Hetrick-Martin Institute is the oldest and largest organization of its kind in the US, reaching more than 2,000 LGBTQIA+ youth each year. They provide life-changing programs in a safe and welcoming environment. Community is the heart of their mission, and the HMI community is diverse and ever-expanding. It includes youth members and their families, staff, volunteers, donors, board members, community leaders, corporate partners, and policy makers. Together, we are making the world a safer and more inclusive place for LGBTQIA+ youth!
HMI DIRECTIVES
Created in 2013, HMI’s Center for LGBTQIA+ Youth Advocacy and Capacity Building, advocates on behalf of queer youth by influencing policy on local, national and international levels, while helping to build the capacity of decision-makers, individuals and institutions that serve this marginalized population. MORE
HMI is the host agency for the groundbreaking Harvey Milk High School, devoted to serving at-risk youth and founded in 1985 in collaboration with the New York City Department of Education, which administers the school and is responsible for admissions. MORE
They believe in the LGBT youth
Mental Health
HMI believes the following:
• youth service providers should utilize the studies of trauma-informed care, emotional wellness, and positive youth development in serving their communities.
• all systems, policies, and organizations should be curated to make sure LGBTQIA+ youth feel safe and included.
• that reparative therapy is harmful, and laws should be in place to protect minors from the negative impacts of these practices.
• LGBTQIA+ youth should have access to emotional wellness services that are affirming of LGBTQIA+ communities.
Education
HMI believes in the following:
• LGBTQIA+ youth should have the opportunity to learn in an inclusive and affirming environment.
• LGBTQIA+ youth should have access to quality education.
• all school personnel should be actively encouraged and enabled to practice cultural fluency in creating inclusive and affirming school environments for LGBTQIA+ students.
• All schools should have anti-discrimination policies that support youth in celebrating their most authentic selves and protecting LGBTQIA+ youth in schools from bullying, harassment and violence.
• The sexual harassment law is very clear on how people should not put up with any type of harassment no matter their gender.
Healthcare
healthcare for LGBTQIA+ youth.
HMI believes part of healthy adolescent development is access to inclusive comprehensive sexual health education. HMI believes that with proper sex education they can better understand their bodies and their limits and explore themselves safely.
Homelessness
HMI believes the following:
• Homelessness is a byproduct of systemic discrimination, rejection, and isolation.
• all youth should have access to safe spaces to sleep.
• all homeless shelters should have cultural fluency in serving LGBTQIA+ youth.
• that when safe to do so, families should be supported and encouraged to have their child(ren) remain in the house.
Economic Empowerment
HMI believes the following:
• all youth should have access to opportunities for academic and career success.
• encourages and supports all policies and laws that support and protect LGBTQIA+ youth employment.
• that LGBTQIA+ youth and adults deserve federal protections.
Transgender and Gender-liberated Youth
HMI believes the following:
• that emotional and physical safety is essential for the growth of young people.
• the development of policies, practices, and programs that increase economic and educational opportunities for Trans and gender-liberated youth.
• that all young people should be encouraged to live as their true authentic selves, free of stigma, bias, and fear.
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