National Queer Youth Walkout

March 2022

Our GSA President Alia Cusolito (they/them) is on the leadership of Queer Youth Assemble, a nonprofit organization created to foster a queer youth-led movement across the United States and provide the resources and support for queer youth to create positive change in their communities.

We planned a youth-led walkout due to the devastating yet expected & targeted impact of anti-transgender legislation across the U.S. This took place on Friday, March 11th at 1:00 PM EST, for 20 minutes, synchronous across the country. We are asking LGBTQ+ Youth and allies to support us in our efforts to send a strong message about the anti-trans bills and solidarity with those suffering due to the impact of these bills. This includes the “don’t say gay” bill in Florida, the directive to consider trans-affirming healthcare as child abuse in Texas, and numerous other bans surrounding trans people’s access to sports and healthcare. It is so incredibly important that these bans are protested because they will indisputably kill queer people. 

On the day of the walkout, we met at the bulldog in front of the high school from 1:00-1:20 pm. The administration had already been notified. Alia had resources and information available for folks to learn and take direct actions (contacting representatives, etc). The more participants we had, the more potential we had to combat the legislation. Together we are taking back queer youth autonomy one walkout at a time.

Ask Alia, or visit our Instagram @queeryouthassemble, for information about the walkout. For information specific to ORR, check @lgbtatorr posts and stories. QYA will be updating their website, queeryouthassemble.org Let’s keep doing the good work in solidarity!