Youth Share Voice, Vision During

2010 HRC Gala in Atlanta

 

The following speech was presented by Gabriel Haggray, President of YouthPride's YouthBoard:

Every day we wake up and go about our mundane tasks, until we are presented with the opportunity to encourage something in others and ourselves that makes this world a better place for all of us. I’ve come to understand that it’s harder for people to be homophobic and afraid if they know their son, brother, cousin, nephew friend, coworker, fellow student or even the guy that helps you find the perfect book at the book store is gay, because they realize that these stereotypes or boxes that we have been put in don’t hold the full truth.  I believe that deep down we are kind and loving individuals that embrace others because of the diverse nature of humankind; you see, people don’t just wake up and decide to be homophobic or bigots, it’s because of messages from the media, churches, governmental policies, and misguided individuals, that people have been conditioned to see the world through strict heteronormative lenses.  I combat this view- point not by forcing others to be out, not by holding signs and not by forcing my ideology on others, but by opening the door to conversation and being present.  If every day I can answer a question, challenge a thought, provide understanding and support and help others not feel alone, I will have encouraged individual change, which in the larger scheme of things creates global change.  With all this in mind, it’s equally important that we not only focus our energy on forming allies, but that we focus on listening to our youth, that we create a safe place where lesbian, gays, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning individuals will not feel ostracized, where safe behaviors, including sex habits are discussed and encouraged.  In short, we need a place where we can be ourselves.  I would love for this safe place to be everywhere in this world; I understand that this is not yet a reality, but that’s why my role at YouthPride is so vital.  I can relate to my peers because I know what it’s like to be kicked out of your home, to be called all those ugly names, to be singled out by people I trusted, I know what its like to be afraid of saying “I’m gay” out loud, but I also know what it’s like to fall in love, to not be discriminated against, to find happiness, I know what it’s like to make meaningful friendships and to make amends with the pain; it’s this compassion and understanding that I bring to my peers.  Aside from being a youth I am a leader, whether I’m socializing individually or leading the YouthBoard and helping to create youth driven events or sitting on the Board of Directors to help further the center by providing a different perspective.  Every day I give a piece of myself and I speak out, some days it’s harder then others, but I believe that at the end of every day, change happens.  I don’t want to change the world, I just want to get enough people to come together to create a small miracle!

 

Thank you        

 

 

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