GLAAD launches 2017-18 Campus Ambassador Program to empower LGBTQ youth

GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, today announced the launch of its Campus Ambassador Program for the 2017-2018 academic year.

GLAAD’s Campus Ambassador Program engages young LGBTQ advocates that contribute to GLAAD’s mission of amplifying and celebrating a wide range of voices from the LGBTQ community by producing dynamic, educational media content relevant to the lived experiences of queer youth. Campus Ambassadors are also trained to work with the media as spokespeople and have had told their stories in national media from Entertainment Tonight, to Seventeen, Teen Vogue, and more. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with an early decision deadline September 8^th. To apply online and learn more, visit glaad.org/campus.

“With an administration constantly attacking the LGBTQ community, it’s crucial to provide support and resources to queer youth,” said Sarah Kate Ellis, GLAAD President and CEO. “GLAAD’s Campus Ambassador Program does just that by amplifying their stories and impactful work to advance acceptance of LGBTQ people.”

Campus Ambassadors are selected based on their involvement and passion for LGBTQ advocacy, as well as their interest and experience in creating original content related to LGBTQ communities. This marks the first time that GLAAD’s Campus Ambassador Program is accepting open applications after its inaugural year with 22 founding ambassadors.

“Not only has GLAAD taught me how to amplify my voice, but it’s given me the tools to have my voice be heard,” said L. Juliett, a founding Campus Ambassador.

Check out a video from the inaugural Campus Ambassadors on what the program means to them here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBC0eE-kxnw&feature=youtu.be

Former GLAAD Campus Ambassadors have played a fundamental role in the creation of sustainable and inclusive programming for youth. In the past year, Campus Ambassadors launched a campaign against cybercrime that targets LGBTQ youth, emboldened their campuses to stand up against anti-LGBTQ bullying on Spirit Day, and organized a “Justice for All” rally in the wake of the 2016 presidential election. Behind the scenes, GLAAD equipped Campus Ambassadors with advocacy training, networking skills, and access to GLAAD’s network of experts and influential spokespeople of the LGBTQ community.

“It wasn’t until I joined GLAAD that I realized I would have the opportunity to make such a large impact in such a short amount of time,” said Kylan Kester, a founding Campus Ambassador.

GLAAD’s invigorated focus on youth LGBTQ issues comes on the heels of data from the organization’s annual Accelerating Acceptance report, which found that 20 percent of millennials identify as LGBTQ.

GLAAD Campus Ambassadors are also eligible to apply for GLAAD Rising Stars grants. Rising Stars grants empower and invest in the next generation of LGBTQ change makers, whose advocacy is changing their local cities and the culture at large. Grants are awarded annually to LGBTQ youth who champion intersectional issues with their advocacy efforts. Campus Ambassadors met with Troye Sivan, Hannah Hart, Victoria Justice, and more to speak about LGBTQ advocacy at the grant receptions in 2017. Highlights from the Los Angeles and New York ceremonies can be found here and here.