SMYAL

The Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League (SMYAL) is the premier Washington, DC metro area service organization solely dedicated to supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. Founded in 1984, SMYAL is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization.

Our mission is to promote and support self-confident, healthy, productive lives for LGBTQ youth as they journey from adolescence into adulthood. To fulfill our mission, we concentrate our commitment and energy on five focus areas: (1) Life Skills & Leadership Development, (2) Counseling & Support, (3) Health & Wellness Education, (4) Safe Social Activities, and (5) Community Outreach and Education.

Did you know...?

* School bullying is a common occurrence in D.C. Public Schools. 30.6% of LGB identified students were bullied at least once on school property in the past year, and 26.3% indicate staying home one or more days in the month preceding the survey because they felt unsafe in school on or on the way to school. DC Youth Risk Behavior Survey 2007

* LGB youth reports of substance use/abuse are significantly higher than their heterosexual peers, and includes 23.3% reporting using methamphetamines one or more times; 24.8% report using ecstasy one or more times; and 39.1% reporting they have used marijuana between 3-39 times. DC Youth Risk Behavior Survey 2007

* Nearly nine out of 10 transgender students experienced verbal harassment at school in the past year because of their sexual orientation and gender expression, and more than half experienced physical harassment because of their sexual orientation and gender expression. GLSEN 2007 National School Climate Survey

* Twice as many DC high school age students who identify as LGBQ reported rape compared to their heterosexual peers. DC Youth Behavior Risk Survey 2007

SMYAL provides comprehensive services at our Youth Center on Capitol Hill and throughout our community, including HIV testing, referral and prevention education; counseling and support groups; and a community education program designed to educate teachers, other youth service professionals and straight-identified youth to become allies for LGBTQ youth.

As a local non-profit, SMYAL depends on the generous contributions from the LGBT community and its allies. Please invest in the young people of the LGBT community by supporting SMYAL with a tax-deductible contribution today!

1. SMYAL provides a safe space— free from harassment, rejection and bullying—for all Washington, DC metro area LGBTQ youth.

2. SMYAL advocates for LGBTQ youth issues by educating teachers, youth workers and straight-identified youth to become allies for LGBTQ youth.

3. Visit www.smyal.org for more information about our programs or to donate!