Press

Media Contact: Jodi L. Schwartz/ Executive Director, LYRIC
(415) 703-6150

Macy’s Silences LGBTQQ Youth

19 October 2006 -- Lavender Youth Recreation and Information Center (LYRIC) protests Macy’s decision to prohibit LYRIC from providing HIV prevention education to youth who will attend Macy’s Passport Teen Night on September 19, 2006. 

In March 2006, Macy’s invited LYRIC to become a beneficiary of Passport Teen Night 2006, receive $10,000 and design and operate three HIV prevention education games for youth at Macy’s Passport Teen Night.  Macy’s staff initially approved of games that included language inclusive of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQQ) youth.  Macy’s public relations staff later decided to reject games developed by LYRIC youth interns because they felt they had too much “gay content.”   Macy’s staff insisted that LYRIC remove this content because, according to Macy’s, “very few gay youth attend Teen Night.”  Said Jodi Schwartz, LYRIC Executive Director, “Macy’s approach assumes that youth who identify as heterosexual only have opposite-sex partners.  These decisions are based in a model of HIV prevention that is homophobic.  Macy’s contributes to the further spread of HIV by reinforcing the silence about sexuality and the invisibility of LGBTQQ youth.”

“Effective HIV prevention education requires LGBTQQ youth input in its development.  HIV prevention education must address issues of sexual orientation and sexual activity in an open and non-judgmental manner,” said Ms. Schwartz.  Macy’s decided against this citing fear of a homophobic backlash and bad press.  LYRIC believes Macy’s real fear is of losing profit by addressing youth and queer sexuality.  LYRIC asserts that this is wrong and unfair to LGBTQQ youth because it undervalues the research conducted by LYRIC interns and ignores the risk of contracting HIV that LGBTQQ youth face.  According to Ms. Schwartz, “Macy’s has no business setting the guidelines for HIV education.  Macy’s should continue the fashion show portion of Passport Teen Night but end the HIV education portion. Instead, LYRIC recommends that Macy’s offer financial support for queer-friendly, youth-serving, HIV service organizations to organize an independent event for HIV prevention education to youth.”

LYRIC encourages the public to protest with LYRIC and contact the organizer of Macy’s Teen Night, Larry Hashbarger, Director, Special Productions by calling (415) 393-3622 or emailing larry.hashbarger@macys.com. 

LYRIC is an organization founded in 1988 where lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQQ) youth develop peer-support systems, gain skills to make healthy choices and build an appreciation of their role in creating social justice.  LYRIC’s mission is to build community and inspire positive social change through education enhancement, career training, health promotion and leadership development with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning youth, their families and allies of all races, classes, genders and abilities.

 

Media Contact: David Perry / David Perry & Associates, Inc.
(415) 693-0583
news@davidperry.com

LYRIC hires Jodi L. Schwartz as its new Executive Director

14 October 2005 -- San Francisco, CA: LYRIC (www.lyric.org) is proud to announce the hiring of its new Executive Director, Jodi L. Schwartz. Ms. Schwartz comes to LYRIC with a wealth of experience in the nonprofit sector. Most recently, Ms. Schwartz was the Managing Director at Resource Development Associates (RDA), a 20-year-old consulting firm specializing in providing an integrated approach to planning, grant-writing, organizational development, and evaluation for public and non-profit clients. Prior to RDA, Ms. Schwartz worked for fourteen years at the Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice, serving as its Executive Director for the last two years, utilizing advocacy and direct services as a means to reduce society’s reliance on incarceration as a solution to social problems.

“We are absolutely thrilled to have recruited an individual with such depth of experience and such demonstrated community commitment to lead our agency,” said Co-Chair Tom DeCaigny. Fellow Co-Chair, Lydia Sausa, commented “We know that Jodi will move LYRIC to the next level in achieving our vision and our strategic aims.”

Ms. Schwartz’s priorities in the coming year are to engage key community stakeholders in LYRIC’s growth and development, to deepen the connection between LYRIC’s vision and programming, and to strengthen the foundation of LYRIC’s sustainability.

“Our community has so much to gain from our LGBTQQ youth – the strength of their wisdom and integrity will be the reality of our collective future,” expressed Ms. Schwartz.

Stemming from her life experience and personal values, Ms. Schwartz believes that sustained achievement of positive social change must be built as a collective community effort, where everyone shares in leadership and visionary roles and is supported in their fulfillment of those roles. Said Ms. Schwartz, “I want to be sure that youth, in particular, are afforded opportunities to give voice to their stories and are supported in their role as community leaders, now and in the future. “

About LYRIC:
Lavender Youth Recreation & Information Center (LYRIC) is a community center for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQQ) youth. LYRIC envisions a diverse society where LGBTQQ youth are embraced for who they are and encouraged to be who they want to be. By working towards social justice and supporting young leaders, their families and allies, LYRIC is building a world that that honors, respects and appreciates LGBTQQ youth and their contributions. For further information, please visit www.lyric.org.

Media Contact: David Perry / David Perry & Associates
(415) 693-0583
news@davidperry.com

Beginning on National Coming Out Day Surfing Free Wi-Fi Internet to Benefit Queer Youth
Media representatives are advised that a press conference has been scheduled:

What: Starting on National Coming Out Day, Tuesday, October 11th, surfing free Wi-Fi Internet access in San Francisco’s Castro district will directly benefit lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQQ) youth throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. AnchorFree Wireless will donate 50% of profits made from free Wi-Fi Internet access in the Castro to the Lavender Youth Recreation and Information Center (LYRIC).

Who: Bevan Dufty, San Francisco Supervisor; Melissa White, Acting Executive Director LYRIC; David Gorodyansky, President of AnchorFree Wireless

Where: LYRIC House, 127 Collingwood St., San Francisco, CA 94114

When: 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, October 11th, 2005

Contacts: Melissa White – LYRIC, 415-703-6150 ext. 39, melissa@lyric.or; Denis Hiller- AnchorFree Wireless, 650-669-2772, denis@anchorfree.com; Boe Hayward – Office of Supervisor Bevan Dufty, 415-554-6987, Boe.Hayward@sfgov.org

About LYRIC:
Lavender Youth Recreation & Information Center (LYRIC) is a community center for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQQ) youth. LYRIC envisions a diverse society where LGBTQQ youth are embraced for who they are and encouraged to be who they want to be. By working towards social justice and supporting young leaders, their families and allies, LYRIC is building a world that that honors, respects and appreciates LGBTQQ youth and their contributions. For further information, please visit www.lyric.org.

About AnchorFree:
AnchorFree provides consumers with free and widespread Wi-Fi Internet access outside of their homes and offices. AnchorFree has covered popular shopping districts with free wireless Internet (Wi-Fi) access in San Francisco and Palo Alto at the heart of Silicon Valley. Currently, consumers can access the Internet free of charge in over 400 restaurants, shops and cafes across 6 Wi-Fi Hotzones. AnchorFree Wireless manages and runs the largest free Wi-Fi network in Northern California. For further information, please visit www.anchorfree.com.

"Come Out Early"
LYRIC Launches Radio PSA Campaign to Support Gay Youth
media contact: David Perry & Associates
(415) 693-0583
news@davidperry.com

23 August 2004 -- San Francisco, CA: LYRIC (www.lyric.org) -- the San Francisco nonprofit that provides assistance to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning youth -- today kicked off a new series of radio public service announcements designed to help draw attention to the needs of its participants and the role of the LGBTQQ community in providing support and solutions.

Airing first on Bay Area KALW Radio 91.7 FM, these announcements are being released today to radio stations throughout Northern California.

"When I was young, places like LYRIC didn't exist," said LYRIC Grants Manager and PSA Executive Producer Gayle Roberts. "I hope that this advocacy campaign has a far reach, because I want to insure that today's youth don't have to feel alone and powerless in the world."

Lending his well-known voice to the ads is Tales of the City author Armistead Maupin who became involved in the project, because as he says in the PSAs "at LYRIC young people get the support they need to come out early and follow their heart."

The three radio PSAs were produced with the pro bono assistance of a number of individuals and groups including Maupin, David Perry & Associates, Kirshenbaum Bond & Partners, Mystic Family Circus, Transmedia, KALW Radio, Tangerine Restaurant, Taylor Korobow and The Voice Factory, Talent Solutions and the Friends of LYRIC.

A 16-year-old nonprofit community organization, LYRIC envisions a diverse society where LGBTQQ youth are embraced for who they are and encouraged to be who they want to be. By working towards social justice and supporting young leaders, their families and allies, LYRIC is building a world that that honors, respects and appreciates LGBTQQ youth and their contributions. For more information, or to hear these announcements online, please visit www.lyric.org.

Responding to Community Needs,
LYRIC Expands its LGBTQQ Youth Career Development Program

6/15/2004 -- San Francisco, CA:
A recent survey completed by the Lavender Youth Recreation and Information Center (LYRIC) revealed that the number one requested service by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQQ) youth today is employment training and job placement. In response, LYRIC is pleased to announce the expansion of its highly successful, 10-year old career development program with a 300% increase in staffing and corresponding enlargement in services.

Last year, in collaboration with other Bay Area agencies, LYRIC counseled and trained over 400 youth entering the job market. Focusing on the most at risk within our population, LYRIC’s career development program provides opportunities for LGBTQQ youth to gain the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in the world. Brian Cubbage, a 17-year-old participant affirmed, “I’ve grown so much! I’ve learned skills I can use in my future career. I am proud to be part of LYRIC and help the community. The best thing about being an intern was meeting amazing friends who continue to change my life!”

According LYRIC’s career development program coordinator Alan Homing Kwok, the program’s integrated services “offer structure and guidance so that area LGBTQQ youth can build better work ethic, leadership skills and self-esteem.” One-on-one Career Counseling and Training provides customized assistance for new job seekers from obtaining identification cards and bank accounts, to writing resumes and developing interview skills. OUTbound Internships is a local business partnership program making available internship options in a wide range of fields and interests. Adult Mentorships give LGBTQQ youth opportunities to gain insights into their academic and career options. The Young Entrepreneurship Series provides social enterprise training program for 14 to 19-year-old youth, who upon graduation the have an opportunity to apply for seed money to start their own businesses. LYRIC’s Annual Job/Education Resources Fair builds on a broad community network of various services providers and area employers to insure access to high-quality training and jobs for LGBTQQ youth.

Support for LYRIC’s career development program comes in part from the Private Industry Council and the Department of Children Youth and Families. For additional program information, please contact Alan Homing Kwok at 415-703-6510 ext. 30 or alan@lyric.org.

Founded in 1988 by a group of women, men and young people to address the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQQ) youth, the nonprofit LYRIC has become one of the nations’ most respected sources for service, information and empirical data about young LGBTQQ populations. Even in San Francisco, the founders realized that such young people constitute an under-served community who are often isolated and face barriers in accessing services to meet their needs. LYRIC remained an entirely volunteer-run organization until 1991 when its first staff members were hired. In 1993, with help from the San Francisco Mayor’s Office, LYRIC purchased their signature converted Victorian in the heart of the City’s traditional “gay neighborhood”, the Castro. Last year from their Collingwood Street house LYRIC reached more than 17,000 young people, both locally and nationally, looking to create family and find a safe haven. Together with 19 staff people and dozens of volunteers, LYRIC seeks to build a peer-based community that empowers an end to isolation; creates a progressive LGBTQQ youth voice; increases well being and self-esteem; and changes the communities in which they live for the better. For more information, please visit www.lyric.org or call 415-703-6510.