Search Results

< Back to School Policy Hub Why LGBTQ+ History Matters October is LGBTQ+ History Month, which is meant to recognize and honor the historical impacts, achievements, and contributions of queer people. As a queer person, I was never much of a history buff. Sure, I learned about it in class, I passed most of my tests, but then I went home and forgot every single detail. It wasn’t until I started learning about LGBT history, about the storied struggle for the rights of people like me that spans decades, that I became a history buff. And it was that, it was learning of all the LGBT civil rights leaders, the persecution, the hate, the joy, the love, the hope of LGBTQ Americans, the textbook pages and educational videos and quotes from those that came well before me, that drove me to the work I do today. The history and beauty of my community, the LGBT community, goes well beyond discussions of sex and should be welcomed and cherished in schools, in media, and everywhere else. Eighty years ago, I would’ve been forced to wear a pink triangle. Thirty years ago, I might’ve worn it on purpose, a reclamation in my fight for survival in the AIDS epidemic. Up until 1998, I could’ve been fired in Miami-Dade for just being gay, much less doing anything close to that. And until the Supreme Court ruling in Bostock v Clayton County, which was a mere two years ago, I could’ve been fired, evicted, even denied service at a restaurant for being gay in 55 out of Florida’s 67 counties along with so many other Americans. We shouldn’t be depriving our students of foundational chapters of our nation’s story. LGBT History is American history because LGBT Americans are Americans. In solidarity, Maxx Fenning President, PRISM FL, Inc

< Return to Open Positions Publications Manager We recommend reading more about our task forces before starting your application. Please select the following option below: Publications Manager Position Title Please select the requested option Want to apply for a different position? Click here to browse what's available. Have a question about open positions? Contact us at: careers@prismfl.org PRISM relies on the dedicated contributions of volunteers to further its initiatives. PRISM conducts many initiatives, which makes building a solid brand image and marketing extremely important. A Publications Director functions under our Social Media/Design Coordinators Task Force and also works with the Board Of Directors. Publications Directors do not receive a paycheck, but they do receive the satisfaction that they are helping an organization for LGBT youth. There is potential for a paid position in the future. A Publications Director will have the following responsibilities: Develop and manage all physical brochures and flyers for PRISM events and initiatives Coordinate the design of flyers and other print material Develop and organize PRISM's monthly newsletter Develop and organize any other newsletters or messages for subscribers Analyze how PRISM's newsletter can be better, and how PRISM can receive more subscribers to said newsletter Coordinate community service with other Task Force Management and Volunteer Managers Next

< Back to School Policy Hub What is Racism? What is Racism? Racism in America Against: Indigenous Tribes Asian Americans Black Americans Hispanic Americans Fighting Racism Racism can be defined in a variety of ways relating to both individual actions and societal institutions. Merriam-Webster defines racism as “a belief that race is a fundamental determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race, and the behaviors and attitudes that foster this belief.” However, these definitions refer to racism as a racial attitude. Racism can also be defined in a systemic sense. Two such examples are the excerpts following which define systemic racism as “the systemic oppression of a racial group to the social, economic, and political advantage of another” and “a political or social system founded on racism and designed to execute its principles.” As seen, the term racism does not simply fall under one definition or one circumstance. Instead, it is a multifaceted term to describe the vast experiences of minority groups facing inequality due to their racial identity. History of Racism in America Racism has been present in society from the start, and it is still deeply rooted in our society today. In 1607, white British colonizers came over to America, quickly dominated, and took over the land. From that moment, rhetoric claiming white individuals as the “superior” race spread and was used to tragically oppress others. Here are examples of the roots of racist attitudes towards minority groups, where they stem from, and how they became widespread: Indigenous Tribes The cultural genocide of indigenous tribes: Colonizers forced the children into schools where they learned about Christianity and European values. They were stripped of their tribal clothing and were only allowed to speak English. The education system greatly idolizes the relation between the Natives and Colonizers as one of friendship, however the Europeans took advantage of their power to suppress the indigenous tribes. Before the British colonized the Americas, Indigenous tribes lived peacefully on the land in harmony with their tribes and nature. Their sacred customs and beliefs were practiced and displayed. However, white colonizers saw strong Indigenous cultural identity as a threat to their own power and success and responded with violence. Colonizers stole their lands and forced Indigenous people into smaller and smaller reservation areas that were insufficient for survival and hindered the continuance of their tribal practices. Over time, they continued to whittle down the land belonging to Indigenous groups leaving them with even less land and resources. As Europeans continued to take over new land and gain power, they resorted to genocide to tragically kill an estimated 8 million Indigenous people. Many of these deaths occurred through the spread of European disease to which the Indigenous people had no immunity. Asian Americans Throughout the early 1940’s, 10 Japanese Internment Camps were opened. They were located in California, Arizona, Utah, Arkansas, Wyoming, and Colorado. Nearly 120,000 Japanese Americans, some being second or third generation, were gathered up and placed into these camps by the government as a means to prevent espionage during World War II. Throughout America’s history, Asian Americans have faced racism, especially in terms of immigration. In the 19th century, the United States promoted a “white-only” immigration policy. Asian Americans were seen as dirty and uncivilized to white Americans. Along with the promulgation of these xenophobic notions came the passing of the Chinese Exclusion Act, which prohibited the immigration of Chinese individuals. This was the first race-based act of immigration legislation to exist in the Americas. During World War II, those of Japanese descent faced mass incarceration into internment camps under Franklin Roosevelt's executive order due to unsupported suspicions of espionage for the enemy following the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Racism against Asian Americans was once again highlighted in 2020 with the Covid-19 outbreak. Many faced discrimination and prejudice due to the virus having origins in China, despite the fact that AAPI individuals do not have any responsibility for the tragic illness. Black Americans In the Supreme Court case, Plessy v Ferguson, the Supreme Court determined that the practice of “separate but equal” was constitutional as segregation alone did not violate the constitution. However, later on, the case of Brown v Board of Education abolished this practice when the Supreme Court ruled that segregation in schools was unconstitutional. (Library of Congress) The history of racism towards Black individuals in America began in 1619 with the start of the slave trade. Nearly 7 million Africans were enslaved and sent to America. White colonizers took advantage of African Americans and used them as a source of free labor. They would work the slaves in horrible conditions and provide severe consequences if they stepped out of line. Like what was done to the Indigenous people, slave owners also stripped African slaves of their culture and heritage by prohibiting communication and the use of their native languages. They also kept them in captivity by prohibiting slaves from learning to read or write which made escaping nearly impossible. This serves as one of the first examples of systemic discrimination that kept oppressed groups in a subordinate position through unequal accessibility. Following the American Revolution, Black Americans still faced great discrimination and segregation as the White majority did not accept them as members of their society. Every resource, from schools to water fountains, was segregated, reinforcing the American idea that White Americans were superior to Black Americans. It was during this time the discriminatory dictum “separate but equal” was coined. Despite the inclusion of the word “equal”, resources Black individuals received were nowhere near equal to those of White individuals. For example, they received used schoolbooks and had no funding. Fast forward to present-day America and we still see racism against the Black population through police brutality and systemic oppression. Black individuals are nearly three times more likely to be killed by a police officer than white people. This is due to systematic prejudice within the police force, as well as society, that still views Black individuals as being inherently more violent without any evidence. Hispanic Americans Hispanic Americans, though not often at the forefront of conversations surrounding racism, still faced discrimination in the U.S. due to their roots. Anti-Hispanic attitudes began to take hold in the mid-to-late 1800s. Scholars often point the beginnings of these oppressive beliefs to the Mexican-American war that provided the U.S. 55% of the Mexican territory. This was a tumultuous time for many Mexican individuals whose identity was suddenly thrown into uncertainty as they were no longer considered citizens of Mexico and instead were citizens of the U.S. Pictured is Olvera street, a Mexican market popular during the early 1900s. This market served as the location for a raid in which around 400 people were arrested and deported to Mexico. (Wikimedia Commons) As time passed and political contention increased in Mexican politics, many Mexican citizens found themselves emigrating to the U.S., where attitudes regarded Mexican Americans as “lazy, stupid, and undeserving”. It’s because of these attitudes that many Americans began to have deep-rooted anti-Hispanic beliefs, and some even turned to mob violence. This outbreak of mob violence became widespread in the late 1800s and early 1900s targeting Mexican Americans from all gender and age groups. The great depression became a time of extreme anti-Hispanic beliefs. As unemployment rates increased, the belief that those of Hispanic backgrounds were “stealing jobs” became prominent. States began to pass immigration legislation targeting Hispanic individuals. One such example is Colorado, which forced anyone who spoke Spanish or even “looked” Hispanic to leave. Fighting Racism Fighting against racism is a difficult uphill battle as it is deeply rooted in our society. However, we have seen a general increase in tolerability and equality, especially with younger generations fighting for social change. Here are some important steps individuals can take to reshape how our society views other races: Education . Learning about other races and cultures and the history of their fight against racism can promote acceptance. Acceptance can also be promoted by studying and conversing about how discriminatory notions took hold and became widespread. Recognizing and accepting one's privilege and utilizing that privilege to promote the voices and ideas of oppressed populations. This doesn’t only apply to White people. Colorism is also a problem in race relations, and it’s imperative we come to understand our conceptions of skin tone and the effect they have on perceptions. Find your own implicit biases . While we may not initially realize some of the prejudices we hold, by acknowledging them rather than denying them, we can actively work to reduce them. Being antiracist through actions. Many of us are likely to come across racist statements at some point, and it’s important to not ignore these statements but to speak about them. Talk about the negative effects they have and how they proliferate into acts of extreme xenophobia. Racist statements are breeding grounds for extremism, so we must stop the problem at the root. Fighting against racism may be a new and uncomfortable topic that many are just now facing, but it is important to remember that some people have been directly facing the consequences of racism for centuries, and it will take not only personal but also great systemic changes in order to overcome racism in America. References Blakemore, E. (2017, September 27). The long history of anti‑Latino Discrimination in America . History. https://www.history.com/news/the-brutal-history-of-anti-latino-discrimination-in-america Christina Marie Noel. (2020, June 3). 4 Steps That I and Other White People Can Take to Fight Racism . Medium; B The Change. https://bthechange.com/4-steps-we-can-take-as-white-people-to-fight-racism-a582e826eb92 History.com Editors. (2018, November 16). Black History Milestones: Timeline . HISTORY; HISTORY. https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-milestones Merriam-Webster Dictionary . (2019). Merriam-Webster.com. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/racism PBS NewsHour. (2020, April 9). The long history of racism against Asian Americans in the U.S. PBS NewsHour. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/the-long-history-of-racism-against-asian-americans-in-the-u-s The Legacy of Injustices Against Native Americans - NETWORK Advocates . (2019, March 29). NETWORK Advocates. https://networkadvocates.org/recommittoracialjustice/legacy/

< Back to School Policy Hub Diaphragms A diaphragm is a latex or silicone dome that covers the cervix to prevent sperm from entering the uterus. There are four types of diaphragms: Arching spring diaphragm Coil spring diaphragm Flat spring diaphragm Wide seal rim diaphragm The last type is made of silicone and is meant for people allergic or sensitive to latex. Your doctor can help you decide which diaphragm type is best for you. Diaphragms do not protect against STIs. Condoms and dental dams are the only forms of contraception that can prevent STIs. How to Use a Diaphragm Diaphragms must be used with spermicide to prevent pregnancy. Spermicide is a foam, gel, or cream that kills sperm. Diagram of how to use a diaphragm (Image Source: PRISM FL, Inc / Amelia St. Peter) Apply 1 teaspoon of spermicide to the inside of the diaphragm, as well as around the rim. Fold the diaphragm with the dome pointing down. Insert the diaphragm into the vagina and aim for the tailbone. Push the diaphragm as far back as it will go. Push the front rim of the diaphragm behind the pubic bone. If you have sex more than once, apply more spermicide to the vagina without removing the diaphragm. After sex, leave the diaphragm in for at least 6 hours. Hook your finger on the front rim, then pull down and out. Safety Practices Do not use a diaphragm during your period. A diaphragm can be inserted up to 18 hours before sex Do not leave a diaphragm in for more than 24 hours, as this can cause toxic shock syndrome or infection

< Back to School Policy Hub Bisexuality What is Bisexuality? History Issues Symbols What is Bisexuality? Bisexuality is the attraction to two or more genders. Although bisexuality is commonly misunderstood as an attraction to "men and women," in reality, the term is far more inclusive! The Bi+ Umbrella Many sexualities are often considered subgroups of bisexuality. That's why we refer to bisexuality as an "umbrella term." Sexualities that fall under the umbrella include: Pansexuality - Attraction all gender, or attraction regardless of gender Omnisexuality - Attraction to all genders Polysexuality - Attraction to multiple genders While these may sound confusingly similar to bisexuality, it’s important to remember that the term(s) a person chooses to use is something personal to them, and that no one term is more valid than the other. Ultimately, all of these terms signify attraction to more than one gender. To learn more about these various identities in-depth, check out our Bi+ Umbrella post . Bisexual History Bisexuality has been documented in humans—and animals!—throughout history. In 1859, the word bisexual was first used, and its original meaning had nothing to do with sexual orientation. Anatomist Robert Bentley Todd was the first to use the word in its original definition: someone with male and female sex characteristics, which we now know as intersex. It wasn’t until 1892 that the modern use of the word was found in the book Psychopathia Sexualis . Of course, bisexuality didn’t just pop up when the term was first coined. Forms of bisexuality have been apparent across cultures throughout history. In both ancient Japanese and Greek culture, there were several contexts where relationships between men were not only encouraged but expected. The admittedly problematic ideal was for a young man to be mentored and trained by an older man, eventually leading to a relationship. This bond and wisdom would be lifelong, but the relationship would eventually end when the young man found a wife later on. People who experienced attraction to more than one gender typically didn’t label themselves, primarily because there was no word to describe this specific experience. Ancient texts didn’t differentiate bisexuality from homosexuality. In Western culture, bisexuality was just as condemned as homosexuality. The before-mentioned book, Psychopathia Sexualis , was one of the first works on homosexuality/bisexuality in men. It concluded that these were "mental disorders" caused by degenerate heredity. The U.S. treated bisexuality as a disorder until the declassification of homosexuality as a disorder in the 1970s. Treatment for this “disorder” would include castration, shock therapy, and other means to make patients heterosexual. One influential researcher was biologist Alfred Kinsley. Kinsley was the first to create a scale that measured the nuance of sexuality. The self-named Kinsley scale categorized sexuality from the numbers 0-6, 0 being exclusively heterosexual and 6 being exclusively homosexual. He found that a large group of people experienced a mix of both types of attraction. He also criticized other researchers for believing you can only be straight or gay. His research was immense towards the recognition of nuanced sexuality. Unfortunately, much of history is doused in misogynistic and male-focused perspectives. This is the same case for bisexual history, which makes the search for female queer experiences difficult to find. Bisexual Issues Even though bisexuality has been around for a very, very long time, there are still problems bisexual people face. Misconceptions Bisexuals are really either gay or straight and just need to figure things out Bisexual women are just straight girls looking for attention Bisexual guys are just confused gay men Bisexuality is just a phase — a transition between straight and gay Bisexuals are only attracted to men and women and do not feel attracted to non-binary, transgender, or gender-non-confirming individuals Bisexuals are more likely to cheat or sleep around because they are attracted to multiple genders Bisexuals stop being bisexual once they engage romantically or sexually with someone of the opposite/a different gender Bierasure Also known as bisexual erasure or bisexual invisibility, this is the tendency to ignore, remove, falsify, or reexplain evidence of bisexuality in history, academia, news media, and other primary sources. In its most extreme form, bierasure can include the belief that bisexuality itself does not exist. Our post about Bisexual Stereotypes goes into some of the myths and misconceptions, then busts them. According to the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, the lack of acceptance towards bisexuality plagues not only straight individuals but also lesbian women and gay men. Their study found that participants often used the words “confused,” “different,” and “experimental” to describe bisexual people. Biphobia Bisexuality has historically struggled to be taken seriously in queer and heterosexual spaces. In the 1970s, there were times when The Gay Liberation Front treated bisexual people as straight, which led them to edge bi+ people out of the organization and associate them with regressive politics. While this was happening, bi people were still being prosecuted nearly the same as homosexual people and were viewed as promiscuous by the general public. While bi acceptance has progressed in the past decades, many of these ideas that invalidate bisexuality are still around. It's commonly heard from both straight and gay people that bisexuality is just a phase. Many bi+ people feel they need to prove their bisexuality for fear of not being seen as queer enough. There are concepts such as “straight passing” that increase this anxiety. Straight passing is a privilege some queer people believe bi+ people have. It’s usually referred to when a bisexual person is in a relationship with someone of the opposite gender. The term assumes it’s a positive thing to be seen as straight, but it can be the opposite. Bi+ people don’t want to hide their identities; they want to take pride in them. Invisibility or passing as straight is not something openly queer people desire. Bisexual Symbols Bisexual Flag A more common symbol of bisexuality today is the bisexual pride flag, first designed by Michael Page in 1998. It has a large magenta stripe at the top, a large blue stripe at the bottom, and a thinner lavender stripe in the middle. The original interpretation of these colors was based on the gender binary, or the assumption that bisexuals are attracted to just men and women. Today, most people interpret these colors as: Pink - Same-gender attraction Blue - Attraction to other genders Purple - Blend of both same- and other-gender attraction Some might argue that even this updated perspective is less inclusive than it should be. That's why there are no "rules" for interpreting these colors; each person can decide the meaning for themselves according to their own truth. Triangle Badges Some people who identify as bisexual use a derivative of the pink triangle, one of the first symbols of homosexuality, which were forced upon gay and lesbian individuals in Nazi concentration camps during World War II. Homosexual men were required to wear an inverted pink triangle, while those who were homosexual and Jewish had to wear an inverted pink triangle overlapping a yellow triangle. When these symbols were reclaimed by some gay men in the decades that followed, some bisexual men and women began using a variation that added a blue triangle, forming purple where the two overlap. Pride Symbol The bi pride symbol consists of interlocking female, male, and infinity symbols, with a circle linking them together in the middle. References Anderson, L., File, T., Marshall, J., Mcelrath, K., & Scherer, Z. (2021, November 4). New Household Pulse Survey data reveal differences between LGBT and Non-LGBT respondents during COVID-19 pandemic . Retrieved from https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2021/11/census-bureau-survey-explores-sexual-orientation-and-gender-identity.html Boehringer, S. (2021, September 7). Female Homosexuality in Ancient Greece and Rome (1st ed.). Routledge. Considerable gender, racial and sexuality differences exist in attitudes toward bisexuality . Graduate School of Public Health. (2013, November 5). https://www.publichealth.pitt.edu/news/details/articleid/1568/considerable-gender-racial-and-sexuality-differences-exist-in-attitudes-toward-bisexuality. Erasure of bisexuality . GLAAD. (2014, September 21). https://www.glaad.org/bisexual/bierasure . GSS data Explorer: NORC at the University of Chicago . GSS Data Explorer | NORC at the University of Chicago. (2018). https://gssdataexplorer.norc.org/trends/Gender%20&%20Marriage?measure=sexornt . Hydzik, A., McGrath, C., & Zellner, W. (2013, November 5). Considerable gender, racial and sexuality differences in attitudes toward bisexuality . EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/461313 Jones, J. M. (2021, February 24). LGBT Identification Rises to 5.6% in Latest U.S. Estimate. Gallup.com. https://news.gallup.com/poll/329708/lgbt-identification-rises-latest-estimate.aspx. Oxford University. (n.d.). Bisexual Meaning . Lexico Dictionaries. https://www.lexico.com/en/definition/bisexual . Page, M. (1999, December 5). The History of the Bi Pride Flag. Retrieved from https://web.archive.org/web/20010801185547/http://biflag.com/Activism.asp Thorpe, J. R. (2014, September 23). A Brief History Of Bisexuality, From Ancient Greece and The Kinsey Scale To Lindsay Lohan. Bustle. https://www.bustle.com/articles/40282-a-brief-history-of-bisexuality-from-ancient-greece-and-the-kinsey-scale-to-lindsay-lohan United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. (n.d.). CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM IN NAZI CONCENTRATION CAMPS . Holocaust Encyclopedia. https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/classification-system-in-nazi-concentration-camps Zane, Z. (2021, June 15). 6 facts you never knew about the BISEXUAL FLAG . Gay Pride - LGBT & Queer Voices. https://www.pride.com/bisexual/2015/5/15/6-facts-you-never-knew-about-bisexual-flag-yes-there-one

< Back Avion Goordeen Outreach Director Avion is a bisexual man and a first-generation immigrant from the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago. He has a Master's in Ocean Engineering from Florida Atlantic University and has been involved in LGBTQ+ activism and leadership since 2018. This includes working with CompassGLCC and being a member of the board of directors of Night Runners WPB. In his free time, Avion enjoys paddleboarding, photography and is currently a fan of the manga, One Piece. < Back to Our Team

< Back to School Policy Hub School Board Advocacy School Board Advocacy: Why It Matters and How to Get Involved School boards have enormous influence over what happens in classrooms. From bathroom policies to club recognition, from curriculum rules to teacher training, these elected bodies decide what is allowed, what is encouraged, and what is erased. For LGBTQ+ students and families, this is where many of the most important fights are happening. While state laws set the framework, school boards often determine how those laws are interpreted and enforced. That means speaking up at a school board meeting can directly impact your school and your district. What School Boards Decide In Florida, each of the state’s 67 school districts has its own school board. These boards vote on official policies, approve instructional materials, decide whether to recognize student clubs, and adopt or repeal diversity protections. They are also responsible for enforcing state mandates like the Parental Rights in Education Act and HB 1521. But how they enforce those laws can vary. Some school boards move quickly to restrict LGBTQ+ expression. Others find ways to protect students while staying within legal limits. Broward County Public Schools is a clear example. In recent years, its board has passed public resolutions supporting LGBTQ+ History Month and affirming the existence of GSAs. These are not just symbolic. They create space for student-led visibility and signal that affirming practices are still possible. How to Speak at a Meeting Anyone can sign up to speak at a Florida school board meeting. You do not need to be 18 or have a parent’s permission. Here are the basics: Check the board website for meeting dates and speaker deadlines. Some require sign-up one or two days in advance. Look at the agenda to see if items related to LGBTQ+ rights, curriculum, or student groups are listed. Some items appear on the consent agenda, which can be passed without discussion unless someone pulls them. Prepare a short comment. Most districts allow one to three minutes. Focus on what the policy means for you or someone you care about. Be specific. Ask the board to vote yes or no on a particular item, or to make a clear change to an existing rule or practice. If you are nervous, bring a friend or speak as a group. You can also submit written comment by email if you cannot attend in person. What You Can Expect Sometimes board members will thank you. Sometimes they will ignore you. Sometimes you will be speaking in a room where people are hostile to LGBTQ+ rights. That does not mean you are doing it wrong. It means your voice is needed. Even if the policy passes, your words become part of the public record. They shape future conversations. They give others the courage to speak next time. Change is often slow. But when students and families show up consistently, it makes a difference. Why Local Action Still Matters In recent years, LGBTQ+ advocates have stopped book bans, protected GSAs, and slowed the repeal of equity policies—all by organizing around school boards. These are winnable fights. But they take coordination, courage, and presence. PRISM is here to help. We offer reminders, speaker training, talking points, and on-the-ground support for school board advocacy across Florida. Whether you are giving your first public comment or leading your entire GSA, we want to work with you. Your story can change the conversation. Your voice can shape policy. And your presence can shift power.

< Back Career Office General Information < Back to Our Team

< Back to School Policy Hub Sexual Orientation Basics What is Sexual Orientation? Discovering your Sexuality Sexuality Resources What is Sexual Orientation? Sexual orientation, or sexuality, is a term used to refer to a person's pattern of emotional, romantic, and sexual attraction to people of a particular gender. There are a variety of sexual orientations, and it is often said that everyone falls on a spectrum of sexuality depending on how strongly they are attracted to a certain gender. Discovering Your Sexuality Sexual orientation is complicated. Firstly, it isn't a choice. No one chooses to be gay, lesbian, or bisexual, just as no one chooses to be heterosexual (straight). Discovering where you fall on this spectrum is a process unique to you; each journey to discovery is different. There are all sorts of different sexualities, and it's not something that you need to decide overnight. You are allowed to experiment and find out who and what you are attracted to. Sexuality Resources We have several helpful pages where you can learn about different orientations—the basics, the history, the people, the symbols, and more! Gay Resources Lesbian Resources Bisexual Resources Asexual Resources Pansexual Resources

< Return to Open Positions Assistant Fundraising Manager We recommend reading more about our task forces before starting your application. Please select the following option below: Assistant Fundraising Manager Position Title Please select the requested option Want to apply for a different position? Click here to browse what's available. Have a question about open positions? Contact us at: careers@prismfl.org PRISM relies on the dedicated contributions of volunteers to further its initiatives. Further, we require a constant influx of funding in order to carry out our mission. Assistant Fundraising Managers oversee our Fundraising Task Force with the main Fundraising Manager. Assistant Fundraising Managers do not receive a paycheck, but they do receive the satisfaction that they are helping an organization for LGBT youth. There is potential for a paid position in the future. Assistant Fundraising Managers have the following responsibilities: Contact new volunteer applicants to provide more information about opportunities Guide new volunteers through the process of completing volunteer applications if they have not already Provide necessary information to volunteers about task forces, community service, upcoming events, etc Coordinate community service and attendance logs with other Task Force Managers and Volunteer Managers Complete necessary paperwork for volunteers Develop and plan fundraising initiatives (securing venues, coordinating outreach and promotion, organizing volunteers and tasks, etc) While it is not required, it is greatly preferred that applicants have experience with one or more of the following: fundraising management, volunteer management, event management, networking, LGBT issues, or youth services. Next

< Back to School Policy Hub Stonewall Riots Context: Criminalization of Gay Bars The Stonewall Riots Legacy Context: Criminalization of Gay Bars The Stonewall Riots were a violent uprising in 1969 speaking out against police brutality following a raid of the Stonewall Inn. The Stonewall Inn was a popular gay bar run by the Mafia in Greenwich Village of New York City. During the 1960s, however, same-sex relations were illegal in many places, including New York City. As such, the New York State Liquor Authority sanctioned frequent police raids of known gay bars, claiming that the gathering of homosexual individuals was “disorderly.” While these restrictions were overturned in 1966, police harassment of gay bars continued until much later, particularly as many operated without a liquor license due to their being owned by the Mafia. The Stonewall Riots A crowd of protesters confronting the police during the Stonewall Riots. On the morning of June 28th, 1969, rather than dispersing during the police raid that occurred, a violent crowd formed , and the Stonewall Riots began. The difference between this particular police raid and previous instances was that it came without warning and led to the NYPD roughly shoving both patrons and employees alike into police vehicles to be arrested. Starting with one woman shouting, “Why don’t you guys do something!” things quickly escalated as a crowd of hundreds formed, throwing bottles, pennies, and rocks at the police. Although it is not known for sure, it is alleged that the first brick was thrown by Marsha P. Johnson , an outspoken and notable activist for LGBTQ+ rights. The rioting and protesting continued for six continuous days, and the uprising is known as one of the first major protests bringing new attention to the movement for equal rights for LGBTQ+ people. Legacy The Stonewall Inn in 2019 (Image Source: Antigng/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY SA ) The Stonewall Riots, also known as the Stonewall uprising, was an important event in sparking new fervor for the LGBTQ+ rights movement. As a result of the riots, various new LGBTQ+ rights groups were begun, such as the Gay Liberation Front. Although the Stonewall riots did not begin the LGBTQ+ rights movement, they were crucial to bringing new attention to LGBTQ+ activism and generating newfound support for the movement. For information about LGBTQ+ activism preceding the Stonewall Riots, visit our article on the Black Cat Protests .

< Back to School Policy Hub Where to Find Support Where do I turn to for support? Whether you are questioning your sexuality/gender identity or need help navigating issues specific to the LGBT community, there is always a place to turn to. Family Sometimes the closest people to you can be the best option to talk to. While friendships may not last forever, family members often have a strong, life-long bond. However, if this is not an option you feel comfortable with or you know you won’t receive the support you need, another outlet may be more suitable. Peers Part of the shift into adolescence (which, in many cases, is when people begin exploring their sexuality and gender identity) is transitioning from a reliance on your immediate family to a reliance on your chosen family: your friends. Reliable, steadfast friends will provide you with encouragement and support. Those who don't are better off removed from your life. Guidance Counselors If you are a student, a guidance counselor can be a great option to seek out support. Their job is to guide, help, and support you. In many schools (including those in Palm Beach County), counselors are barred from disclosing your sexuality or gender identity so long there is not an immediate indication of the intent to self-harm or harm others. If you feel comfortable enough then a guidance counselor could be a great option. Therapy Licensed therapists can be a great outlet for more than just sexuality and gender identity. It's important to research their experience with LGBT issues. Unfortunately, one hurdle preventing many from seeking therapy is cost. If you're uninsured, you can find affordable mental health services at local community mental health centers or online through telehealth services. Support Groups If you feel that none of the above options are accessible to you. A support group may be the best resource. Support groups are comprised of people who all face similar problems, so it can be a great way to talk about your feelings and get guidance. PRISM If everything that we've stated is inaccessible or uncomfortable for you, PRISM is a great mode of support. PRISM's general volunteer meetings involve mental health check-ins every week. PRISM prides itself in promoting a safe, welcoming environment for everyone involved. Join PRISM's safe and welcoming Discord today!