Creating Change for LGBTQ Youth

Hosted by the National LGBTQ Task Force, Creating Change is the country’s largest LGBTQ organizing conference. Every January, thousands of queer people and our allies gather for a week of community-building, learning, and celebrating. 

Stonewall Community Foundation recognizes the power of spaces like Creating Change to strengthen our community, foster intergenerational conversations, and develop the next generation of leaders. In 2019 Stonewall was able to make grants so that one LGBTQ organization in each borough could send a young person to the conference. Destination Tomorrow, Fostering Change for Children, Global Action Project, Pride Center of Staten Island, and Queens Community House each received a grant for a Creating Change scholarship. These scholarships allowed five young people to attend the conference, learn more about themselves and the LGBTQ movement, and bring back what they learned to their communities.

The feedback from the attendees about the conference was overwhelmingly positive. Attendees told us: 

“I expect myself to be a lot more active in the LGBTQ+ community now that I’ve experienced Creating Change.”

“Many of us [from the Youth Provider Caucus] have connected after the fact, and continue to share resources and support one another in our work.”

“I loved being able to connect with other trans women of color leaders.”

One young person, inspired by a workshop on different forms of activism, wrote, “[I learned] that I could be an activist without going against my introverted nature.” They thought of conversations happening in their community about homophobia and reflected, “I might I try to add my voice to the conversation. It might change nothing, but it also might have an impact, no matter how small. The only way I can know is if I try.” 

If you are interested in supporting LGBTQ youth leadership, consider making a donation to the LGBTQ Youth Fund at Stonewall through your DAF.