We’re so excited to introduce you to the newest members of our state partner network: IYG and Fairness Pennsylvania!

‍

‍IYG (formerly Indiana Youth Group) is the oldest continuously operating organization for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults in North America. IYG has been creating safer spaces and empowering queer young people since 1987. They envision an Indiana that has supporting, affirming communities where LGBTQ+ young people live vibrant, empowered lives.

IYG offers programs that revolve around building community, developing leadership qualities, and increasing self-esteem and self-efficacy. 

A few of their core programs include:

• Basic Needs
  One in four LGBTQ+ youth that comes out to their family is kicked out of their home, which is why IYG offers resources to young people, including laundry, showers, food pantries, rehousing assistance, housewares and household products, hygiene products, and transportation assistance.

• Support Advocacy (formerly Case Management) 
  IYG’s support advocates support youth and young adults in accessing the resources they need to thrive, including mental health counseling, housing, and legal assistance. For those experiencing homelessness, support advocates help navigate the system and obtain the necessary documentation (i.e., social security card, state identification, birth certificate, etc.). Many parents withhold these documents when kicking their queer child out of the family home, or they may become lost while an individual is unhoused or housing insecure. These documents are often essential for young people to apply for services, enroll in school, apply for a job, or register for the High School Equivalency exam.

• Mental Health Services 
  Provides free short-term and long-term individual counseling and clinician-led support groups to queer youth, young adults, and their allies in the state of Indiana. 

• Housing Program 
  Provides long-term housing to young people experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.

• Support and discussion groups 
  Offers education, support, and resources to parents, guardians, family, and other caring adults with queer young people in their lives. Meetups, support groups, discussion panels, and both one-on-one and family counseling sessions are all available!

• GSA Network 
  Provides support to GSAs and similarly minded diversity clubs in middle and high schools across the state. The support includes information, community, skill-building resources, regional and statewide events, and annual site visits. IYG also helps student leaders and faculty advisors in the startup, development, and maintenance of GSAs in their own schools.

Other regular programs that IYG offers include Sexual Health Education, STI/HIV Testing, Affinity and Special Interest Groups, Arts and Crafts, Educational Support, Workforce Development, and Risk Prevention.

‍

Fairness Pennsylvania is a newly formed LGBTQ+ civil rights nonprofit and statewide advocacy organization dedicated to fair treatment and civil rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Pennsylvanians. Their mission is to ensure LGBTQ+ people can be open, honest and safe at home, at work, and in the community.

Their core programs include:

• Public Education
  Educates Pennsylvanians about the realities facing the LGBTQ community. Educational programming includes a wide range of platforms – from sharing stories on social media to assisting local communities in their efforts to protect their citizens. 

• Legislative Advocacy
  Leads the advocacy efforts at the Pennsylvania State Capitol during the PA Legislative Session and year-round. Works one-on-one with legislators, providing individual Senators and Delegates as well as Senate and House Committees with the facts and context needed to properly consider legislation that may impact the LGBTQ community in the Keystone State.