REACH LA NEWS

After months of planning The Ovahness Young Men’s group along with Michelle’ Allure managed to pull off yet another successful event. Close to 350 young people packed into the Tree House Media Complex around 10pm ready to have a great time. Lines formed with youth waiting to be apart of our REACH LA’s free counseling sessions, where youth were assisted in identifying ways to reduce their sexual risk. AIDS Healthcare Foundation provided an onsite rapid HIV testing unit, which by the end of the night tested numerous individuals that had never been tested before. By the time the official ball competition had begun youth in attendance had gotten movie tickets, i-tunes cards, candy, and were entered into a drawing to win an ipod just for HIV testing and talking with REACH LA counselors!! Ball participants competed in numerous categories, such as best runway walk, vogue, sex siren and best face, which promoted HIV awareness and safe sex. The DJ kept the music pumping while the commentator Selvin Mizrahi worked the crowd with his humor, wit and charm. Contestants from almost every house in Los Angeles walked the runway dressed to impress.

The young women’s Leadership group held a three-day intensive video workshop at REACH LA. During the workshop the girls learned the basics of camera use through fun exercises like video scavenger hunt. After getting used to using the camera, they were able to critique and analyze short videos made by other young women of color, looking for both content, as well, as camera technique. Towards the end of day one, participants got in touch with their inner self be engaging in an emotional free writing process that included such topics as, my first trip to the gynecologist and why I like/dislike my body. Day two consisted of on location shooting and sound recordings, with the office transformed into mini movie sets. On the third and final day the G2G Leaders learned first hand the basics of final cut pro and begun the lengthy process of editing their own personal short video. Some of the youth were later given the opportunity to screen their films at Sistersong for a nationwide audience!

The young women involved in the G2G Leadership group attended the annual Human Rights Campaign Awards Gala hosted by Bill Mauer. Sharing a table with Liliana Perez, LGBT liaison to speaker of the house Fabian Nunez, and Bambi Salcedo from the Children’s Hospital made the night full of laughs and surprises! The youth who attended this Beverly Hills black-tie event listened to the first Latino presidential candidate and Governor of New Mexico Bill Richardson speak, while feasting on a scrumptious four-course gourmet meal.

REACH LA’s youth staff member Frank Armenta traveled to the state capitol to participate in Queer Youth Advocacy Day, an event sponsored by the Gay Straight Alliance Network. After an eight-hour bus ride, hundreds of youth from all over the state of California gathered in Sacramento to speak on behalf of LGBT youth. Young people had the rare opportunity to speak with lawmakers and to address the needs of their community. Frank met with several legislative members to discuss ways to end discrimination and harassment in schools based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Youth were able to share their stories and express ways to help them feel safer in school. “One of the many highlights of the trip was meeting people that could relate to my experiences,” said Frank, “ I had a BLAST”!

Members of our G2G Leadership group flew to the state capital to attended Reproductive Freedom Day. There they got the opportunity to meet up with hundreds of women from all throughout California, who are also interested in reproductive health and politics. The youth participated in legislative visits where they had the empowering experience of meeting with state elected officials to discuss issues that are affecting them as young women of color. The girls met with officials from the offices of: Fabian Nunez, Senator Edward Vincent, Senator Gloria Romero, Assembly Member Ted Lieu, as well as, others.

The G2G Leadership Team facilitated their first workshop for a group of twenty excited young women in Tulare County. Girl-to-Girl Leadership group drove up to Visalia, located in Central California, to attend the Female Leadership Academy. ACT, Advocacy Coalition of Tulare County for Women and Girls, sponsored the event. In addition to participating in the training academy the G2G Leaders had the opportunity to meet youth from rural areas of California and discuss the issues facing them as young women. They even got to meet some cows!!

After a long and intensive search ten new G2G Leaders have been chosen. We received over 30 applications. The girls submitted an application, wrote an essay and were interviewed. The ten young women who have been chosen possess strong leadership skills, drive, passion, and commitment. The group is comprised of 10 young women between the ages of 14-24 who are interested in reproductive justice and making a difference in their community through policymaking. Congratulations to the new G2G Leadership Class of 2007!!!