Jamey Rodemeyer 1997-2011

I was so sad to hear about the suicide Jamey Rodemeyer, a 14-year-old gay high school student in Buffalo, New York who endured years of bullying. Jamey was a big fan of Lady Gaga, and Gaga honored Jamey by dedicating her song, "Hair" to him at the iHeartRadio music festival (check out the video below). 

For local resources here in the Seattle area related to LGBT bullying and suicide prevention, check out the Youth Suicide Prevention Program. Need help now? Call toll-free nationwide: 1-800-273-TALK. 

Not sure where to start? Call 1-800-273-TALK for resources or reach out to someone you can trust, like a teacher, mentor, or friend. You can also reach out to local agencies, like Lifelong AIDS Alliance or Lambert House for assistance. Looking for more resources? Email jamesw@llaa.org or call 206-957-1665. 

Check out Jamey's It Gets Better project video, and please know that there are people right here in your community who can help. 

I just wanna be myself,
And I want you to love me for who I am
I just wanna be myself,
And I want you to know, I am my Hair

I’ve had enough
This is my prayer
That I’ll die living just as free as my hair

I’ve had enough
This is my prayer
That I’ll die living just as free as my hair

I’ve had enough
I’m not a freak
I must keep fighting to stay cool on the streets

I’ve had enough, enough, enough
And this is my prayer, I swear
I’m as free as my hair. –Hair, Lady Gaga

Youth Community Advisory Board -- Limited Openings!

We currently have a few spots open on our Youth Community Advisory Board (YCAB). YCAB will meet twice each month for an hour in October, November, and December. YCAB meetings are used to plan LGBT youth events and activities in Seattle and to give YCAB members an opportunity to tell us what services they would like to see us provide.

This is a volunteer opportunity, and we provide food at each meeting. There are a limited number of seats on the YCAB. If you would like to sit on this board, please contact James at jamesw@llaa.org and I will send you the meeting schedule.

YCAB members are asked to commit to at least four of the six meetings (4-6 hours total over three months).

Take advantage of this leadership opportunity an BE HEARD!

A-List Seattle: The Top 5 Reads for Queer Youth

It’s back to school season across Seattle, time to crack open those books and, if you go to the high school in Glee, to break into song. So maybe the title of this post is a little misleading: it’s not about some new offshoot of Logo’s “The A-List New York.”

Although we would all love to have Austin and Reichen run off to the Emerald City, this post is “a list” for all the booqworms out there. Here are the top five hottest reads for queer youth this season, according to my humble opinion.

5. “Liquor: A Novel” by Poppy Z. Brite: A good read for foodies and all lovers of N’Awlens, “Liquor” is the story of two lovers/chefs as they launch a restaurant based entirely on, you guessed it, liquor. The story is a great read for lovers of food writing and good gay fiction.

4. Queer Attitude--Gay Youth Blogs: Okay, not so much a book but a collection of links to other blogs. If you prefer short streams-of-consciousness instead of books, scroll on through and find something that speaks to you. Some of these are great, others, not so much.

3.  “Drugs in Partyland”: Drugs and alcohol are all around and peer pressure is intense. Here is an easy to read guide to help you make the best decisions for you, as well as resources for more information or help if you need it.

2.  “Send Me” by Patrick Ryan: A tale of two gay brothers, one out and proud, and the other struggling to make sense of it all. Set in Florida, “Send Me” is a story of complex family issues and how sharing common roots does not necessarily mean families share common experiences (probably don’t need a book to know that now, do you?)

1. “Dream Boy” by Jim Grimsley: Recently reviewed by NPR, this story touches on homophobia, bullying, adolescent awkwardness, and finding gay love where you least expect it (namely in the South).

What are some of your favorite books, blogs, websites, comics, or other reads (queer or completely unrelated to sexuality)? Feel free to post your suggestions (or criticisms of my choices) in the comments section!

Paid Internship Available!

Lifelong AIDS Alliance has an immediate opening for a Peer Outreach Intern. The intern conducts street outreach for homeless and unstably housed youth, works on projects, and develops marketable job skills. The position begins at the end of September and lasts until the end of 2011 for 15-20 hours per week. The compensation is $10/hour.

The internship is designed for a Seattle youth/young adult 22 or under who has experienced homelessness or unstable housing and experience with LGBTQ issues. If you or someone you know is interested in this internship, please contact James at jamesw@llaa.org or 206-957-1665.

Applications are due September 9!

Welcome to the SQY Blog!

Seattle Q-Youth (SQY, or "Sky") is the blog for the outreach and education program at Lifelong AIDS Alliance. Check back regularly for news, events, program updates, volunteer opportunities, and more!

If you are 24 years old or younger and would like to learn more about SQY, please contact jamesw@llaa.org!