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Campaigns
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An overview of the work the Queer Youth Network is doing around a wide range of Queer Liberation causes, LGBT Civil Rights and Young People's rights...
- Partnership Rights
- Homophobic Bullying
- Legacy of Section 28
- Commercial Exploitation
Stagecoach Boycott
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Britain's LGBT Youth movement: a History
- How can I get involved?
Why Campaign for our Rights?
Extremist religious groups are growing fast, meaning many more LGBT Young People will be rejected at home as they grow up and forced deeper into the closet. Until there is a complete cure LGBT Young People will remain the biggest single group (per head) affected by HIV. Younger gay men will always be exploited, as the gay scene grows we will be targeted by businesses wanting to make money out of our 'lifestyle choices' - re-enforcing some of the big problems the gay community faces more so today - promiscuity, lack of self respect, feeling of being increasingly isolated (for those who feel they don't fit into the mainstream gay world).
As a minority group we need to accept that will always face some kind of discrimination, being marginalised is a direct result of being a minority group. The problems we faced in the past will re-emerge. Events in Nazi Germany to attacks against us during the AIDS pandemic in the 80's and the increase in violent homophobic hate crimes happening today teaches us that we are could become a target for
scrutiny, scapegoating and mass public assault at any given time in the future. We need to keep the strong alliances and networks like any other community otherwise we have no form of defence.
Equality has inadvertently created a new type of discrimination and instead of recognition - 'special treatment' sometimes takes it's place. There are old threats and new ones that are now being ignored by many of the main gay rights groups - who are
deliberately attempting to de-politicise the queer community, in particular the young members in the interests of their own political agenda.
Partnership Rights
What we believe:
We support only the principle of equality. We recognise that Marriage (as an institution) has historically contributed to the oppression of women and that many people - gay and straight - are uncomfortable with it for that reason. What we reject is the principle that there should be separate laws for same- and opposite-sex couples. Lesbian and gay people should not be banned from marriage, and heterosexuals should not be barred from civil partnerships,".
What we are doing: Queer Youth continues it's battle to gain equal MARRIAGE and CIVIL PARTNERSHIP rights for all, despite the failings of other so called gay rights groups. We frequently issue press releases in response to developments and we are running a petition to 10 Downing Street. With OutRage! and the Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association we formed the 'Coalition for Marriage Equality. We also submitted the only young persons response to the
government's white paper on same sex partnership rights after a long consultation with LGBT Youth all over the country. In June 205 David Henry appeared on BBC 2 'Daily Politics' show on behalf of the Queer Youth Network to argue the case for full and equal range of
partnership rights.
Related Pages:
 Prime Minister's Same Sex Marriage Petition
 Civil Partnerships Welcome, But Flawed
Coaliton for Marriage Equality
 Youth Response to the Government White Paper
External Links:
 Coalition for Marriage Equality (Website)
The Legacy of Section 28
-Video Project ( in development) "28, 20 Years Later". Looks at the impact Section 28 has had on LGBT Young People's lives over the past two decades.
Homophobic Bullying
What we
believe:
Despite all our best efforts there is only so much we can do without a big change in thinking. The antiquated British school system is the main reason behind most forms of bullying. Schools should be places for young people to plan their own future in all senses of the word. They should encourage a culture of friendship and participation with all areas of the community. The classic scenario of 'picking players' for a game of football in Physical Education class, with the 'loners', 'fatties', 'puffs/girly boys' being picked last or not having someone to sit next to from class to class or at lunchtime causes tremendous damage to young people's emotional wellbeing and self-esteem as well as their academic achievements. more relationship education classes exploring friendship coupled with a healthy diet of informal, and non-competitive social opportunities and spaces within the school, pupils will be better equipped socially to deal with teen angst together, prevent the inadvertent creation of ''loners' and create a generation of happy, sociable, more accepting young people. Friendlier, more upbeat schools means more gay-friendly schools that are more likely to beat homophobic bullying and bullying as a whole. Young People need to be given ownership of their schools. We feel a network of autonomous, youth-led 'Social Centres' within schools can improve the quality of life and education for all pupils. School as it exists today is robbing young people of their right to develop their personalities, strengths and beliefs. Which means their understanding of the world is late developing, their respect for their environment, other people of different creeds, classes, sexual orientations, races and cultures is suffering. Bullying is getting worse, the environment is suffering, and anti-social behaviour and violent crime is allowed to flourish as a product of many young people's only outlet. We must radically overhaul the concept of 'school'.
What we are doing:
The Queer Youth Network is one of the original members of the 'Education for All' partnership. a coalition led by Stonewall which aims to tackle the issue of Homophobic Bullying head-on. We also frequently release press releases on ground-breaking research we are carrying with school pupils with recommendations for putting a stop to Homophobic and Transphobic bullying in education. We also produced the 'What's So Queer' diversity toolkit which contains a CD Rom, webpages and a handbook for anyone working with young people which was funded by the Department for Education. What's So Queer is a project of 'Ready Steady Change' - an
initiative aimed led by the Children's Rights Alliance for England aimed at increasing participation for young people. It has been distributed to over 500 schools and hundreds more have access to the materials.
Related Pages:
Homophobic Bullying (Campaign Page)
Homophobic Bullying "Getting Worse" (QYN Press Release)
Education For All Homophobic Bullying Postcard
Commercial Exploitation
What we believe:
The LGBT Community is subject to substantial commercial, media and political exploitation,
particularly in Britain, more so infact that anywhere else in the world. Queers are seen as a target audience for a wide range of products and services. Capitalism ensures we are now targeted sold a lifestyle that many cannot afford and a body image that many struggle to achieve. We believe this attack can be held responsible for as well as promoting an
inaccurate stereotype of sexual minorities as people who are hedonistic and have large disposable incomes when we know this is far from the truth apart from a small yet
influential majority of gay business leaders and public figures. Promotion of a
unachievable body image to young gay men by certain aspects of the gay media, the gay scene, television, advertising and 'party-hard' pride events is causing a generation of young gay men to suffer from low self esteem leading to depression, withdrawal, to take risks wit their health by turning to recreational drug abuse and steroids, promiscuous sexual encounters, self harm and in some cases, suicide. Many homophobes believe there is a 'Gay Agenda' - if there is one then this is it (and most LGBT people are not those behind it!) "Exploitation of the gay community is a serious but underlying issue, many in the gay community collude to make a profit out our fears and insecurities."
What we are doing
We broadcast a live radio programme every week from the Basement Social Centre in Manchester called "HomoWatch" that invites LGBT youth, gay activists and community figures to expose and discuss what's really going on. The first series of shows is exploring the increasing competition and
aggressiveness of some LGBT charities and the disillusionment many now feel around 'gay pride'. Anyone can come on the show. Just turn up, details below. In principle we have always been a grass-routes civil rights/advocacy organisation that works with groups who are similar as a priority over some who are financed by and work in partnership with political parties and
corporations. We work very closely with and continue to mutually support OutRage!, Schools Out, ILGYO (International Lesbian and Gay Youth Organisation) and FFLAG (Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays).
Related Pages:
 Queer Youth Radio: HomoWatch
 Pink Paper Issue 733: Queer Youth legal threat by SXT Magazine
..a History of the Queer Youth Network
Take a
journey through time and discover the story behind the founding of Britain's LGBT Youth movement.
Establishing the rights of Transgendered young people through the formation of a new, peer-led national body (Trans Youth Network) to represent and advocate their needs.
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Last updated
by: David on 29th June 2009
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Campaigns
Find out what we campaign for and why these issues are important to LGBT Young People and how you can help us make a difference.
Contact QYN
Get in touch with us on the phone, by email or in person. Nationwide and in your region.
Core Objectives
Current Projects
Donate to QYN
Funding
Membership
Everyone can get involved with our work and we offer several types of membership offering a wide range of benefits based on your needs as an individual or group.
Merchandise
Get your hands on our smart range of Queer Youth Network branded gear including T-Shirts, Badges and Stickers.
Online Services
An overview of the over-expanding online services we deliver on the internet and via our website.
Our Ideology
The Queer Youth Network was founded on a unique set of grassroots principles, designed by young people to informs others how we work as a movement. Our ideology inspires our members to further our main objectives.
Past Projects
Publications
We develop and distribute a wide range of practical resource and tools aimed at supporting LGBT Youth and those who support their needs.
Quotes about QYN
What people say about us and our achievements. Including quotes from young people, parents, youth workers, teachers, fellow activists and politicians.
Regional Groups
Timeline
...a history of the Queer Youth Network and the LGBT rights movement in Britain
Volunteers
We are entirely run by a diverse cross-selection of our membership which make up our "VolunQueers" team. Young people can get more involved with our projects nationwide.
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 Press Releases | Queer Youth rejoice at removal of Education Handcuff 19/9/2003
Section 28 of the local government bill has been repealed. Top 5 Tips guide issued for LGBT Young People in Education. |
Young People demand Same-sex Marriage 13/10/2003
The Queer Youth Alliance has decided to begin a campaign to legalise same sex marriage, whilst other gay rights groups battle it out amongst themselves, young people are taking a lead in expressing their hopes for the future. |
Youth accelerate Stagecoach Boycott 23/1/2008
The Queer Youth Network accused Stagecoach of homophobia and has launched a boycott, pointing to two recent incidents involving a coach driver and Mark Craig and Steven Black, a young gay couple in Aberdeen, Scotland, while in Manchester, a young gay Stagecoach driver has allegedly spoken up about a 'canteen culture' of bigotry and ignorance. |
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