Youth Pride is the local leader in speaking out about homophobia, transphobia, heterosexism, and anti-gay violence. Through OUTspoken, YPI’s community education program, we reach thousands of individuals throughout Rhode Island with trainings targeted at making schools, workplaces, and other groups and organizations safe and inclusive for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning youth.

YPI staff and youth travel all over RI, CT, and Southeastern Massachusetts to discuss issues relevant to LGBTQQ youth and offer strategies and resources that are necessary to eliminate biases and anti-gay sentiments. YPI staff are typically accompanied by members of the OUTspoken Playaz, a group of LGBTQQ youth trained to conduct workshops, create dialogue, and increase understanding of LGBTQQ youth, their personal journeys, and the issues that are important to them.

OUTspoken workshops take on a variety of forms depending on their audience. Professional development trainings are offered to educators; social service providers; youth service providers; and professional staff from agencies, educational institutions, and workplaces all over the state. These trainings offer an in-depth look at the impacts of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression on youth. They also provide techniques, strategies, and tools for creating safe and supportive environments for everyone. YPI provides professional technical assistance to agencies and organizations by reviewing policies and forms to ensure inclusivity.

YPI’S TRAININGS ARE UNIQUE IN THAT YPI STAFF AND THE OUTSPOKEN PLAYAZ ARE A TRULY DIVERSE GROUP AND OFFER PERSPECTIVES THAT SPAN THE LGBTQQ SPECTRUM.

Youth trainings often take place in a classroom setting. Games and skits are often incorporated in these trainings to make the information that is being imparted accessible to a young audience. This interactive presentation style combined with OUTspoken Playaz personal stories and group conversations encourage young people to think critically about homophobia, transphobia, and other influences that impact their LGBTQQ peers. YPI also offers young people ways to identify bullying and provide easy tools for standing up for their rights and safety as well as for their friends.

YPI’s trainings are unique in that YPI staff and the OUTspoken Playaz are a truly diverse group and offer perspectives that span the LGBTQQ spectrum. YPI’s trainer and workshop presenters are gay, straight, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer. YPI will be taking their trainings outside the area in the next few months to both the True Colors Annual National Conference at the University of Connecticut in March and the Northeast LGBT Conference at the University of Albany in New York in April.

For more information about OUTspoken, contact Stump Olsen at 401.421.5626 or stump@youthprideri.org.