< Back to School Policy Hub Herpes What is Herpes? How It's Spread Symptoms Getting Tested Testing Positive What is Herpes? Herpes is a virus that causes contagious sores, most often around the mouth or on the genitals. It is very common. When we say common, we mean REALLY common. There are about 572,000 cases of genital herpes every year in America. Genital herpes is so common in the US that more than 1 out 6 people are diagnosed with it between the ages of 14-49. Herpes does not have a cure. While herpes isn’t curable, your healthcare provider can give you medication to help shorten or even prevent outbreaks. One of these medications can even help you decrease the chances of spreading it to your partner. How It's Spread Genital Herpes Genital herpes can be spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Unlike many common STIs, herpes can also be spread through the mouth and saliva. Luckily, herpes cannot survive on other surfaces, so you cannot contract herpes from touching an object that an infected individual has come in contact with. Oral Herpes Oral herpes is generally contracted during childhood or early adulthood from non-sexual contact with infected saliva. In rare cases, you can be born with herpes if your mother is infected. Symptoms Part of the reason herpes is so common is that there usually are no symptoms. Genital Herpes Those with genital herpes often experience very mild symptoms, if any at all. Sometimes you may not even notice these symptoms or mistake them for a skin condition. Since this happens frequently, a majority of people who have herpes don’t know. However, if you do have symptoms, these will include herpes sores around, or on, the mouth, rectum, or genitals. They can show up as a singular blister or multiple. When they break, they are extremely painful and leave sores. These can take up to a week or longer to heal. When experiencing your first outbreak, you can also have flu-like symptoms. For example, you may experience a fever, body aches, or swollen glands. People who experience an initial outbreak can probably expect to have more than one, especially when infected with HSV-2 (genital herpes). The repeat outbreaks are usually a lot shorter and less severe than the first one and sometimes might not show up as often, either. Oral Herpes Oral herpes also tends to have very mild symptoms and is often mistaken for something else (chapped lips, bug bites, or just a small crack in the skin) or not even noticed at all. The symptoms include sores in and on the mouth, the back of the throat, and the lymph nodes in the neck. Many people will experience prodromes, which are essentially warning symptoms prior to an outbreak. A prodrome is an itching, tingling, or painful sensation in the area the sores will appear. These prodromes appear a day or two before an outbreak. You should avoid close contact during this time and during the outbreak to prevent it from spreading. When and if you accidentally touch the fluid or sores, wash your hands immediately and thoroughly. If you touch your sores or the fluids from the sores, you can transfer herpes to other parts of your body. You can even spread it to your eyes. Getting Tested Testing for herpes is a little different from other viral STIs. Sometimes your healthcare provider will simply examine your symptoms and diagnose you with herpes. They also can take samples from the sore(s) and test them. However, in certain cases, you’ll undergo a blood test to look for herpes antibodies. A herpes blood test cannot tell you who you were infected by or how long ago you were infected. It's important to get tested regularly. If you're sexually active, this means at least once per year. Even if you or your partner don't show symptoms, you should follow this general rule of thumb. Click here to find a local testing center. Testing Positive So, your results came back positive. The first thing to remember is that this is nothing to be ashamed of. Like we said earlier, this is a very, very common infection. If you or your partner have herpes, it does not necessarily mean anyone cheated. Test results may not detect the infection until well after contracting it, and herpes can be spread through non-sexual contact. How do I get rid of it? Unfortunately, herpes cannot be cured. However, you can be given anti-herpes medication to help suppress outbreaks. Some of these anti-herpes medications can even keep you from spreading to your sexual partner(s). If you are in a relationship with someone who has herpes, you can prevent yourself from getting it by making sure that they are taking their anti-herpes medication every day. You also need to avoid having any sexual contact with them while they are enduring an outbreak. For real, getting frisky can wait. Willingly risking your or your partner's sexual health isn't sexy. Peace of mind is sexy. References John Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.). Herpes: HSV-1 and HSV-2 . Retrieved from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/herpes-hsv1-and-hsv2 American Sexual Health Association. (n.d.). Oral Herpes . American Sexual Health Association. https://www.ashasexualhealth.org/oral-herpes/ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017, August 28). STD Facts - Genital Herpes . Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/std/herpes/stdfact-herpes.htm

< Back to School Policy Hub Homosexuality as a Mental Illness American Psychology Association World Health Organization Legacy Until recently, homosexuality was considered to be a mental illness by both the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and the World Health Organization (WHO). These classifications were a result of the widespread belief that sexual orientations other than heterosexuality were something needing to be cured or remedied, fostered by society’s discomfort with those who fall outside of what was considered “normal.” Now, however, both of these organizations have removed sexual orientation from their classifications of mental illnesses. American Psychiatric Association Protest of the classification of homosexuality as a mental illness by the APA. (Image Source: Cured/Patrick Sammon, Bennett Singer) Since its founding in 1892, the APA has released five editions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM), providing information and listings of psychiatric diagnoses. In its first two editions, DSM-I and DSM-II, homosexuality was found as a listed diagnosis. However, in 1973, the APA decided to remove homosexuality as a psychiatric diagnosis from the DSM-III and all following editions, including the current DSM-5. However, they replaced it with " sexual orientation disturbance" for people "in conflict with" their sexual orientation. Not until 1987 did homosexuality completely fall out of the DSM. This decision began the end of negative medicinal stigma surrounding homosexuality and other LGBTQ+ identities, and it was pivotal in generating similar shifts in other areas, such as the WHO. World Health Organization The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD) determined by the WHO is the largest and most commonly utilized classification system for diseases around the globe. In the ICD-10, which was endorsed in 1990 and remains the most recently adopted version of the ICD, homosexuality was removed as a mental illness. However, other variations of sexual orientation were classified as mental illnesses, such as someone who "wishes it were different because of associated psychological and behavioral disorders." In the direction of progress, however, the ICD-11, which was finalized in 2018, removes sexual orientation from its classifications of mental illnesses, following the lead of the APA in 1973. While the ICD-11 is not yet used in widespread medical practice, it reflects the understanding that neither sexual orientation nor gender identity is indicative of mental illness. Legacy The declassification of homosexuality as a mental illness by the APA and WHO was an important step in removing the negative stigma surrounding LGBTQ+ identities. Overall, these decisions were vital milestones in normalizing and accepting the LGBTQ+ community from a medical and social standpoint. Dr. John Fryer giving his speech as Dr. Henry Anonymous to convince the APA to declassify homosexuality as a mental illness at the 1972 APA annual conference (Image Source: 217 Boxes of Dr. Henry Anonymous/Ain Gordan) References Drescher, J. (2015). Out of DSM: Depathologizing Homosexuality. Behavioral Sciences , 5 (4), 565–575. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs5040565 Burton, N. (2015, September 18). When Homosexuality Stopped Being a Mental Disorder . Psychology Today. Retrieved November 9, 2021, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/hide-and-seek/201509/when-homosexuality-stopped-being-mental-disorder. Fernández Rodríguez, M. (2018). Gender incongruence is no longer a mental disorder. JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH AND CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY , 2 (5), 6–8. https://doi.org/10.29245/2578-2959/2018/5.1157 Cochran, S. D., Drescher, J., Kismödi, E., Giami, A., García-Moreno, C., Atalla, E., Marais, A., Meloni Vieira, E., & Reed, G. M. (2020). Proposed declassification of disease categories related to sexual orientation in the international statistical classification of diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-11). FOCUS , 18 (3), 351–357. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.focus.18303

< Back to School Policy Hub Gender Expression in Asian Cultures Asian and Pacific Islander (API) identities add a unique layer to the gender identity and expression of queer people. Asia has a rich, diverse, and vibrant history of queerness, particularly regarding life outside of the gender binary. Japan China Indonesia India Philippines Japan Then Samurai and Wakashu by Miyagawa Isshō, early 18th century (Source: JSTOR) During Japan's Edo period, gender roles encompassed a “third gender:” the Wakashu . Broadly speaking, Wakashu were born-male youths transitioning between childhood and adulthood. However, their role went beyond a transitory phase - they had their own unique rules, conventions, and styles, and occupied their own societal niche. The transitory nature of being a Wakashu was intertwined with sexuality; Wakashu were socially free from the responsibilities of adulthood but were considered sexually mature. As such, they had sex with both males and females, with social rules dictating them taking a more dominant role with women and a submissive one with men. With the rise of Christian/Victorian ethics from exposure to Western ideals during the Meiji period, the gender binary became more strictly defined, and Wakashu were ridiculed, condemned, or ignored — effectively erasing their societal role. Now In Japan today, there is a resurgence of gender expression outside traditional norms. In the Harajuku district of Tokyo, the “jendaresu-kei”, or genderless style, has gained popularity. There is still a long way to go regarding legislation for individuals who don’t conform to the gender binary. Japan's laws for changing your legal gender , for example, are regressive and invasive and operate under the idea that being transgender is a mental illness. China Then The blurring of the gender binary has a foothold in traditional Chinese opera. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, restrictive gender norms forced opera troupes to be separated by gender, so cross-dressing was necessary to fill gaps in roles. Male actors specializing in playing females were referred to as “nandan”, and were trained to aspire to a feminine ideal. They not only dressed in traditionally feminine clothing, but also were expected to take on the actions, habits, and mindset of a woman both on- and off-stage, occasionally as singing waiters and courtesans . Though this was generally accepted in entertainment, Qing laws criminalized individuals assigned male at birth who lived their lives as women, which could suppress their gender presentation. Renown nanda Mei Lanfang performing Peking Opera (Source: gb.ci.cn) Now Today, for individuals with non-conforming gender identities and expressions, there is no comprehensive anti-discrimination policy, especially one that specifically mentions transgender individuals . Of social institutions, families have the lowest degree of acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals , but there is limited research on public attitudes specifically towards transgender acceptance in China. However, there is growing visibility of transgender individuals , such as Jin Xing, an openly transgender woman, who is one of the most popular talk show hosts in China, and younger generations are growing more accepting. Indonesia Then Indonesia’s pre-colonial era has long been accommodating towards gender diversity. One of the more populous ethnic groups, the Bugis people in South Sulawesi, recognize five genders: man ( oroane ), woman ( makkunrai ), male woman ( calabai ), female man ( calalai ) and androgynous priest ( bissu ). Another ethnic group, the Torajan people, recognize a third gender, or to burake tambolang . To burake tambolang played an important role in spiritual tradition, and people would admire and honor a village with one . However, beginning in the 1950s, bissu and calabi individuals faced violent persecution. Engel, center front, a bissu in the town of Bone in South Sulawesi (Source: Al Jazeera) Now Today, people can legally change their gender ; however, there is no option to change your legal gender to a third gender. Additionally, legal gender changes can be subject to medical opinion , proof of gender reassignment surgery, and family testimony. Additionally, organizations like Latar Nusa are pushing for greater acceptance of bissu and calabi. India Then In Hindu, epic texts like Ramayana and Mahabharata feature multiple heroic characters : Shikhandi, (a key figure in the war in Mahabharata), Chitrangada (whose gender changes through the course of the story), and Vishnu (a god in his female form of Mohini), have presented their gender in fluid ways. Hijras, a third gender, also had recognized roles in ancient India. Mughal emperors were generous patrons of them. Hijras are treated with both fear and respect due to their cultural role in Hindu religious ceremonies; a hijra’s blessings would confer fertility, prosperity, and long life on a baby. A hijra’s curse is also taken seriously, so families often welcome hijras in and pay for their services. With the rise of colonialism and Victorian ethics, hijra became villainized. A group of Hijra in Bangladesh (Source: USAID Bangladesh) Now Today, hijra are marginalized in Indian society, though there has been some progress made. In 2014 , the landmark Indian Supreme Court case National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) v. Union of India established the legal recognition of the “third gender.” However, the verdict lumps in hijra and transgender individuals, who aren’t necessarily of the same identity. India also has a 2016 transgender bill; however, this bill doesn’t allow an individual to self-identify as trans without medical confirmation . Philippines Then The Tansug people of the Southern Philippines believed in a third gender called bakla , a Tagalog sexual/gender category that refers to individuals assigned male at birth who exhibit or are suspected of exhibiting sexual and gender non-normative behavior. They can be considered a Filipino “third gender.” Oftentimes, they served as babalayan , or shamans, who were either women or effeminate men called bayog (Tagalog) or asog (Visayan). They had important roles as the healers of both natural and spiritual illness, assisted in rituals for prayer, birth, and death, and overall, were respected members of the community who were held on the same level as the ruling class. Bakla Protester During Pride March (Source: Arvinjaygaa - Own work) Now Today, trans Filipinos face barriers legally in accessing social institutions like education and healthcare and in seeking justice. Though no national laws exist prohibiting cross-gender behavior, individuals still may be turned away from establishments without facing recourse. Resources Aggleton, P. (2006). Men who sell sex international perspectives on male prostitution and HIV/AIDS . Taylor and Francis. Anderson, M. (2016, August 15). Beyond binary: Five genders of the bugis . Akkadium College. https://learn.akkadium.com/beyond-binary-five-genders-of-the-bugis/ Bohnke, C. (2021, December 22). The disappearance of japan’s “third gender” - JSTOR daily . The Disappearance of Japan’s “Third Gender.” https://daily.jstor.org/the-disappearance-of-japans-third-gender/ Cornell, T. (2019, August 20). Nandan: The Yin & Yang of Chinese cross-gender performers > culturs - lifestyle media for cross-cultural Identity . CULTURS. https://www.cultursmag.com/nandan/ Hijras and the legacy of British colonial rule in India . Engenderings. (2019, June 17). https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/gender/2019/06/17/hijras-and-the-legacy-of-british-colonial-rule-in-india/ Hinduism Case Study. (2018). The third gender and Hijras . Religion and Public Life at Harvard Divinity School. https://rpl.hds.harvard.edu/religion-context/case-studies/gender/third-gender-and-hijras The human rights situation of transgender people in the Philippines Submission of the Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines (STRAP) to the 13th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review . . (n.d.). https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/lib-docs/HRBodies/UPR/Documents/session13/PH/JS1_UPR_PHL_S13_2012_JointSubmission1_E.pdf Knight, K. (2023, March 28). “A really high hurdle.” Human Rights Watch. https://www.hrw.org/report/2019/03/20/really-high-hurdle/japans-abusive-transgender-legal-recognition-process Luhur, W., Brown, T., Liu, M., & Shaw, A. (2021, June). Public opinion - williams institute . Williams Institute. https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/Public-Opinion-Trans-Mexico-English-Dec-2020.pdf Nooy-Palm, H. (1979). The sa’dan toraja: A study of their social life and religion . Oxis. https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/3BBC444821210944F0E9579A28009215/S0041977X00105014a.pdf/hetty_nooypalm_the_sadan_toraja_a_study_of_their_social_life_and_religion_vol_i_organization_symbols_and_beliefs_verhandelingen_van_het_koninklijk_instituut_voor_taal_land_en_volkenkunde_87_xii_338_pp_16_plates_the_hague_martinus_nijhoff_1979.pdf Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center. (2021, April 8). Ang babaylan nga nahimong bayot. Babaylan. https://smithsonianapa.org/babaylan/#:~:text=(The%20healer),through%20herbs%2C%20remedies%20and%20antidotes. Stables, D. (2022, February 25). Asia’s isle of five separate genders . BBC Travel. https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20210411-asias-isle-of-five-separate-genders Stanford The Clayman Institute for Gender Research. (2022, July 27). The persecution of M-F crossing in Imperial China . The Clayman Institute for Gender Research. https://gender.stanford.edu/news/persecution-m-f-crossing-imperial-china Stonewall. (2021, July 1). Global workplace briefings . Stonewall. https://www.stonewall.org.uk/global-workplace-briefings Tian, C. (2018, August 29). What Chinese opera can teach us about gender . Sixth Tone. https://www.sixthtone.com/news/1002838 Tiwari, A., & Pal, K. (2020). Journey of Gender Identity in India from Mythology to the Third Gender. Palarch’s Journal Of Archaeology Of Egypt/Egyptology , 17 (6), 20–28. UNDP and China Women’s University. (2018). Legal gender recognition in China - United Nations Development Programme. https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/migration/asia_pacific_rbap/UNDP-CH-Legal-gender-recognition---China-180805.pdf Universal Periodic Review. (2017). Joint Submission of the Civic Society Organisations on the Situation of LGBTIQ Persons in the Philippines . The ASEAN SOGIE Caucus - the ASEAN SOGIE Caucus. https://aseansogiecaucus.org/images/resources/upr-reports/Philippines/Philippines-UPR-JointReport-3rdCycle.pdf Wemer, D. (2020, December 22). India’s hijras find themselves further marginalized amid the pandemic . Atlantic Council. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/indias-hijras-find-themselves-further-marginalized-amid-the-pandemic/ Wu, G. (2016). Mustache as resistance: Representation and reception of Mei Lanfang’s masculinity. TDR/The Drama Review , 60 (2), 122–138. https://doi.org/10.1162/dram_a_00551

< Return to Get Involved Open Positions Filters: Reset Filters Paid/Volunteer Task Force Remote availability Data and Research Manager Our Data & Research Manager will work alongside the rest of our team to conduct surveys and monitor analytics. Apply Youth Advisory Committee Advise our Board on how to best serve young people in South Florida! Apply Board Secretary The Secretary of the Board must keep thorough, accurate minutes of our meetings for our records. They also conduct all communication between the Board and outside parties. Apply Board Member The Board of Directors are the head of PRISM, making all of the final decisions regarding events, fundraising and more! Apply 1 1 ... 1 ... 1 1 1 ... 1 ... 1 1 1 ... 1 ... 1

< Back to School Policy Hub STI Basics What is an STI? STI vs STD Getting Tested Prevention What is an STI? STIs (sexually transmitted infections) are pathogens transmitted primarily through sexual contact. While it varies depending on the specific STI, this can include anal, vaginal, or oral sex. STI vs STD You may notice that PRISM uses the term STI instead of the more commonly used term, STD. This isn’t just our preference: there are important reasons for this. STI stands for sexually transmitted infection, while STD stands for sexually transmitted disease. One of the main differences between infections and diseases is that an infection is an actual pathogen (like a virus or bacteria) entering your body, whereas a disease disrupts your body’s normal functions (i.e., symptoms). All STDs start as STIs. If and when an infected person develops symptoms, it is considered an STD. For instance, HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is an STI. When left untreated, you can develop AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome), which is characterized by an extremely suppressed immune system. Not all STIs show symptoms. STIs that do show symptoms may take months or even years to do so. For example, part of why chlamydia is the most common STI in the United States is that it often doesn’t show symptoms. The word “disease” is also stigmatizing. PRISM is very deliberate about how we discuss STIs: they are preventable, easily treatable, and nothing to be ashamed of. Contrary to popular belief, fear does not aid in prevention; it just makes it harder for us to talk about safe sex. Getting Tested One of the most important parts of maintaining your sexual health is getting tested regularly. If you've had unprotected sex (sex without using a condom, dental dam, or another barrier method), you could be at risk of contracting an STI. Some STIs don't cause symptoms right away (or at all), and some common symptoms of STDs (bumps around your genitals, vaginal/penile discharge, itching, or pain in your genitals) can have other causes completely unrelated to sexual encounters. Click here to find a local testing center. Prevention The most effective protection against STIs is abstinence. Abstinence is the practice of not having sex. If you don't have sex, you limit your exposure to STIs. However, this isn't the best solution for many people. If you plan on having sex, wear protection. Condoms and dental dams are extremely effective in preventing STIs. If you're in an at-risk group for HIV, such as MSM (men who have sex with men), consider taking PrEP. Find more information about HIV here. References Sabour, J. (2022, February 25). The Difference Between STD and STI. Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/std-vs-sti-5214421 . HIV.gov. (2021, April 8). What are HIV and AIDS? HIV.gov. https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/overview/about-hiv-and-aids/what-are-hiv-and-aids . What is Chlamydia?: Causes of Chlamydia Infection . Planned Parenthood. (n.d.). https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/stds-hiv-safer-sex/chlamydia . Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance 2019 . U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/std/statistics/2019/overview.htm#Chlamydia . Condoms . Planned Parenthood. (n.d.). https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/condom . Internal Condoms | Female Condoms . Planned Parenthood. (n.d.). https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/internal-condom .

< Back to School Policy Hub Asexuality and Aromanticism What is Asexuality? What is Aromanticism? Ace and Aro Spectrums History Issues Symbols What is Asexuality? Asexuality is an umbrella term that encompasses orientations in which a person experiences little to no sexual attraction. There is also a distinct lack of desire to be physically/sexually intimate with others. Despite feeling no sexual attraction, asexual individuals can still form romantic and platonic relationships. They may even date or marry a sexual partner. The shorthand term "ace" is often used to describe asexual individuals. What is Aromanticism? Aromanticism is the lack of interest in or desire for romantic relationships. Where alloromantic (the opposite of aromantic) people have an emotional need to be with another person in a romantic relationship, aromantic people are often satisfied with friendships and other non-romantic relationships. The shorthand term "aro" is often used to describe aromantic individuals. Ace and Aro Spectrums While some people who are asexual experience no sexual attraction, many fall somewhere between asexual and allosexual (the opposite of asexual). Diagram of Asexual and Aromantic identities (Image Source: Femestella/Asexuality.org) This region of sexuality is called gray-asexual or gray-A . It includes demisexual , which means that you only experience sexual attraction after forming a strong romantic connection with someone. Similarly, demiromantic people experience a romantic attraction only after forming a strong emotional connection with someone. Asexual History The idea of asexuality has evolved greatly since its origin. In 1860, the first known mention of asexuality was referred to as “monosexual,” for those who do not engage in sex with a partner, but rather only themselves. In the 1940s and 50s, the Kinsey Scale, a test that places individuals on a spectrum from heterosexual to homosexual, included a new category entitled “X” to refer to individuals who reported “no socio-sexual contacts or reactions.” Ace and Aro Issues There are many common myths about asexuality since it’s one of the most misunderstood and underrepresented sexual orientations. Common Misconceptions "Asexuality is the same as celibacy." Asexuality is NOT celibacy. Celibacy is a choice due to religious or personal beliefs, while asexuality is a sexual orientation. As we know, people don’t choose who (and how) they are or aren’t sexually attracted to others. "Asexuals don't experience love and can't form meaningful relationships." Asexuality covers sexual attraction, not romantic attraction. Asexuals are perfectly capable of loving, being loved, and forming healthy relationships. "Asexuals are just ace because they had a bad experience with sex." A person’s orientation is not determined by their history, good or bad. Past experiences with abuse do not “make” people asexual. "Asexuals can't have sex. " Sex drive and sexual attraction are two different things. An asexual person can have a sex drive without feeling sexual attraction to anybody. Other asexuals may lack a sex drive completely, while others may be repulsed by sex altogether. "Aromantics can't feel love." Individuals who identify on the aromantic spectrum do indeed feel love. They experience familial and platonic love and may even feel a varying range of romantic love. "Someone who is aromantic is also asexual." Being both aromantic and asexual is possible, but it isn’t the default. An aromantic person may identify with any sexual orientation. Aromanticism does not automatically indicate asexuality. Other Issues A large amount of invalidation is directed towards asexuality and aromanticism both from outside and within the LGBTQ+ community. Many consider asexuality and aromanticism to be a "phase" that can be grown out of. Many people assume that asexual or aromantic people just "haven't found the right person." On top of this, asexuality is rarely discussed in sexual education. While many schools have made great strides in discussing same-sex relationships and gender non-conformity, they have failed to normalize feeling no sexual attraction at all. This makes many asexual and aromantic people question whether or not their lack of sexual attraction is acceptable. Ace and Aro Symbols Asexual Flag In 2010, several asexual websites held a contest to design an asexual flag. The asexual flag used today was designed by AVEN user Standup. This flag has four stripes: Black - Represents asexuals Grey - Represents gray-asexuals and demisexuals White - Represents allosexuals Purple - Represents community Aromantic Flag The first aromantic flag had four stripes: Green - The "opposite" of red, a traditionally romantic color) Yellow - Represents friendship Orange - Represents grey-aromantics (because it is between yellow and red) Black - Represent alloromantics. This was later modified because it was considered too similar to the Rastafarian flag. The second flag consisted of 5 stripes: Dark and light green - Represent identities on the aromantic spectrum Yellow - Represents friendship Gray and Black - Represent the various sexualities within the aromantic community This yellow stripe was later replaced with white to be more visually appealing but retained the same meaning. Ace of Spades Because asexual is often shortened to ace, the ace of spades is a common symbol of asexuality. Ace of Hearts Because asexual is often shortened to ace, the ace of hearts is a common symbol of asexuality. This is specifically for alloromantic individuals, meaning they can experience romantic attraction. Ace Rings An ace ring is a term for a black ring that the wearer intends as a symbol of their asexual identity. It is usually worn on the middle finger. Arrow Because aromantic is often shortened to aro, an arrow is a common symbol of aromanticism. References Oxford University. (n.d.). Asexuality Meaning . Lexico Dictionaries. https://www.lexico.com/en/definition/asexuality . Oxford University. (n.d.). Aromantic Meaning . Lexico Dictionaries. https://www.lexico.com/en/definition/aromantic . Overview . Overview | The Asexual Visibility and Education Network. (n.d.). https://www.asexuality.org/?q=overview.html . Asexual . LGBTA Wiki. (n.d.). https://lgbta.wikia.org/wiki/Asexual . Pride flags . The Gender & Sexuality Resource Center. (n.d.). https://www.unco.edu/gender-sexuality-resource-center/resources/pride-flags.aspx . Asexuality . LGBT+ 🏳️🌈 Wiki. (n.d.). https://lgbt-plus.fandom.com/wiki/Asexuality . Wikia.org . (n.d.). Aromantic . LGBTA Wiki. Retrieved from https://lgbta.wikia.org/wiki/Aromantic .

< 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!

< Back to School Policy Hub Victory for Sexual Health Education in Miami Dade On Wednesday, July 20th, the school board of Miami Dade County held a meeting to decide whether to keep or reject the previously approved "human growth and development" curriculum. In other words, sex ed materials. The materials were approved in April, but 278 objections were filed against the textbook. The point of contention was the book's inclusion of contraception, abortion, and other topics. This spurred a hearing where a neutral judge affirmed that the textbooks were in line with state standards. Several groups mobilized in support of the textbook, including PRISM. Knowledge about sexual health is important to the health and safety of all, but particularly to the marginalized youth we seek to serve. Upwards of 90% of speakers were in support. Detractors argued the textbook enabled sexual grooming and jumped to accusations of communism and censorship. These talking points are not only irrelevant to the conversation but are well-established canards used by reactionary movements. At the initial meeting, three separate "concerned parents" associated with conservative nonprofit Moms for Liberty yelled at students and other speakers. . School board members, security staff, and onlookers in the audience were subjected to a flurry of screamed insults as all three were forcibly escorted from the building. During that meeting, the board voted 5-4 to remove the textbook from the curriculum. This put the district out of compliance with state standards (which require schools to teach sexual health curriculum), so another meeting was held just last Thursday to discuss how the board would move forward. In just three days, we and several other organizations mobilized hundreds of parents in Miami, creating a petition that garnered over 2800 signatures, an online tool that sent over 300 emails to each board member, and dozens of speakers at the special meeting. After several hours of discussion, Chairwoman Perla Tabares Hantman reversed her vote– meaning there were finally enough votes to keep the textbook, in another 5-4 decision.

< Return to Open Positions Outreach Director We recommend reading more about our task forces before starting your application. Please select the following option below: Outreach Director 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. The Outreach Director helps recruit volunteers and get the word out about PRISM online and in person. Currently, this is an unpaid volunteer position. What you get: An opportunity to make a difference in the LGBT community, improve your leadership skills, a chance to make an impact, and a new experience to add to your resume. Applicants must be local to South Florida (Palm Beach, Broward, or Miami-Dade County) and must have reliable transportation. Responsibilities : Coordinate in-person and virtual outreach events (pride markets/parades, tabling, etc) and oversee staff and volunteers at these events Engage with other organizations to create meaningful connections within the community Provide information to potential volunteers, donors, and partners about PRISM and our initiatives Help direct potential volunteers to sign up on our site Provide necessary information to volunteers about task forces, community service, upcoming events, etc Coordinate community service and attendance logs for outreach events with other Task Force Managers and the Volunteer Manager Preferred Qualifications: Experience with volunteer recruitment Experience with community outreach/engagement Experience with event planning Understanding of LGBT and/or public health issues PRISM is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We will consider applicants for this position without regard to race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity, national origin, sex, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, HIV and/or STI status, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Women, people of color, LGBTQ+ people, young people, and members of other historically disenfranchised populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Next

< Back to School Policy Hub Black Lives Matter What is Black Lives Matter? Black Lives Matter march in Oakland, California in 2014 (Image Source: Annette Bernhardt, December 14th, 2014) Black Lives Matter is a movement as well as an organization with the goal of fighting against white supremacy and injustices against Black communities. The movement has also strongly supported the LGBTQ+ community, with transgender and queer members having leadership roles in the organization and leaders speaking out against sidelining Black LGBTQ+ activists. Although it had its origins in the United States, the Black Lives Matter movement has remained influential internationally, having 16 chapters in total in the United States and Canada and inspiring protests for Black lives in countries as far as Israel and South Africa. Origins Black Lives Matter rally at the Vancouver Art Gallery after the death of George Floyd (Image Source: GoToVan, May 31st, 2020) Black Lives Matter began in 2013 as a hashtag on social media protesting the acquittal of George Zimmerman, murderer of unarmed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. It was started by Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi, three Black women who wanted to fight against the injustice Black people face in the United States’s criminal justice system. The creation of the Black Lives Matter movement was also inspired by several human rights movements in the past, ranging from the 1960s Civil Rights Movement to the 2000s LGBTQ+ movement. Progression Although it did not gain much traction immediately after its creation, Black Lives Matter started taking off in August 2014 after news of the homicide of 18-year-old Michael Brown by a white police officer spread globally on social media. In protests and rallies speaking out against this injustice, the Black Lives Matter movement grew online and in the streets, with “#BlackLivesMatter” being used over 50 thousand times per day on social media. The movement gained even more traction after the jury involved in the case decided not to charge Darren Wilson, the police officer in question, with Michael Brown’s homicide. Since then, the movement has been vocal about police brutality and discrimination against Black communities on a grander scale. Resurgence Black Lives Matter signs on the empty pedestal of the statue of Edward Colston in Bristol, which was toppled by protesters for honoring a slave trader (Image Source: Caitlin Hobbs, June 7th, 2020) The Black Lives Matter movement had a resurgence on May 25, 2020, when unarmed George Floyd was murdered at the hands of Derek Chauvin, a white police officer who used a violent method of restriction to hold Floyd down after allegations emerged of him using a counterfeit $20 bill. A video of this event went viral on social media, and people all over the world became enraged and took to social media and the streets to protest against police brutality and emphasize that “Black Lives Matter.” Ever since then, the Black Lives Matter movement has been increasingly active in the form of protests against more instances of police brutality and injustice, both recent and not recent, including the deaths of Breonna Taylor, Elijah McClain, and Rayshard Brooks. References About . Black Lives Matter. (2020, October 16). https://blacklivesmatter.com/about/ . Asmelash, L. (2020, July 26). How Black Lives Matter went from a hashtag to a global rallying cry . CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/26/us/black-lives-matter-explainer-trnd/index.html . Ater, R. (2020, May 29). IN MEMORIAM: I CAN'T BREATHE . Renée Ater. https://www.reneeater.com/on-monuments-blog/tag/list+of+unarmed+black+people+killed+by+police . Herstory . Black Lives Matter. (2019, September 7). https://blacklivesmatter.com/herstory/ . Kirby, J. (2020, June 12). "Black Lives Matter" has become a global rallying cry against racism and police brutality . Vox. https://www.vox.com/2020/6/12/21285244/black-lives-matter-global-protests-george-floyd-uk-belgium . Mercado, I. (2020, August 6). The Black Lives Matter Movement: An Origin Story . Underground Railroad Education Center. https://undergroundrailroadhistory.org/the-black-lives-matter-movement-an-origin-story/ .

< Back to School Policy Hub Outdated Trans Terms Transgender terminology and how it was used as little as a decade ago can now be considered outdated, misinformed, or just plain offensive. That’s why it’s important to stay educated on how certain words and phrases affect different parts of the LGBTQ+ community. You may think this isn't a big deal — they're just words, right? But remember, words have power! Those trying to tell you otherwise are people who probably don't have to worry about words like these being used against them. Here's what not to say: Transgender as a noun/verb Be mindful that using transgender as a noun or verb is often used as a means to dehumanize trans folx. Instead, transgender should only used as an adjective (e.g., trans woman or trans man) Wrong "There are a lot of transgenders on the team." "Is she a transgender?" "He transgendered last year." Right "There are a lot of transgender people on the team." "Is she a trans woman?" "He transitioned last year." "Sex Change" Using “sex change” or “sex reassignment surgery” implies that someone who is trans must have surgery in order to transition properly. Instead, talk about it in terms of “gender-affirming” surgery . By the way, don’t outright ask a trans person if they have undergone surgery. It’s a private matter and should be treated with dignity. "Transvestite" “Transvestite” is an old term that often misrepresents trans people. Historically, it most commonly refers to cisgender men who dress in feminine clothing. Today, that community prefers the term “cross-dresser” and finds “transvestite” to be insulting. Defamatory terms, including “tranny” and “she-male” are highly inappropriate slurs, used to discriminate against and dehumanize trans people. "Transsexual" “Transsexual” is a term used to describe a transgender person who has undergone gender-affirming medical procedures. However, “transsexual” is not an inclusive umbrella term like “transgender” is, as it only describes a trans person who has undergone a surgical procedure to transition. Furthermore, it emphasizes "sex," or a person's genitals. But being trans is about gender, not sex, so "transgender" is far more appropriate. Here's the bottom line: Although some of the terminology mentioned may not be considered offensive to all trans people, it is important to understand the potential impact words may have. Discrimination is not defined by the intent of the speaker, but by the effect it has on the listener. Change begins with you, and adapting your language is the first step to bringing about that change.

< Back to School Policy Hub PRISM Takes on Queer Censorship With New #SavePRISM Campaign After their Instagram account was taken down for allegedly “violating community guidelines,” PRISM FL, Inc has created a new social media campaign called “#SavePRISM” to shine a light on just how pervasive LGBTQ+ censorship is online. PRISM uses Instagram to reach approximately 35,000 people every month, providing vital information about sexual health, gender, sexuality, and LGBT history. Unfortunately, on January 6th, PRISM’s Instagram account was taken down for “violating community guidelines.” After repeated attempts to restore their account through Instagram’s automated system (and attempting to create a new account, which was deactivated within just 30 minutes), PRISM was unsuccessful in regaining their presence on the platform. Now, PRISM is taking action against queer censorship on social media. For every time someone uses the hashtag #SavePRISM between now and March 29th to share a story about either how PRISM has impacted them or how they’ve been discriminated against by a social media platform, a growing list of organizations, individuals, and businesses will donate $1 to support their work to make South Florida for every color and for everyone: “It’s important to recognize that this issue is bigger than PRISM,” said Maxx Fenning, President of PRISM FL, Inc. “Queer censorship is baked into social media algorithms themselves, and the companies that create them need to be held accountable.” Those interested in participating or making a donation pledge are encouraged to visit www.prismfl.org/saveprism or contact PRISM FL, Inc. at info@prismfl.org.