The Two-Spirit & LGBTQIA+ Oversight Body was created to forward justice for 2-Spirit & LGBTQIA+ community members in Humboldt County focusing on public serving programs and organizations, prioritizing young people and other marginalized people. It does so in alignment with youth created policy recommendations and the voice and power of community members who desire a more inclusive community where queer folks have a place where they feel safe to be themselves.

Two-Spirit & LGBTQIA+ Oversight Body Documents

Framework: Two-Spirit & LGBTQIA+ Oversight BODY of Humboldt County

A Safe Place to Go: 2-S & LGBTQIA+ Youth Across Systems, Policy Recommendations for youth-serving organizations in Humboldt County. Executive Summary.

Social Media

Instagram: @QueerYouthAgenda

Facebook: QueerYouthAgenda

Contact: QueerYouthAgenda@inkpeople.org

What does this BODY Do?

This Oversight Body (to be re-named) is working to make Humboldt County a safer and more welcoming environment for queer young people. Working towards this goal means working on some policy recommendations that the Youth Advocacy Board of the Humboldt County Transition Age Youth Collaboration created based on data and stories from young people with lived experience in local service systems. In addition to these policy recommendations, this Oversight Body will be addressing emergent needs that arise regularly around the safety and well being of Two-Spirit and LGBTQIA+ young people. Although this Oversight Body will prioritize teens and young adults, queers and allies of all ages are welcome to be part of the board.

What are the Specific Goals of the Oversight Body?

these specific aspects of HCTAYC’s 2-S & LGBTQIA+ Youth Across Systems Policy Recommendations:

Recommendation #1 - Develop a county oversight structure to ensure accountability to Two-Spirit & LGBTQIA+ TAY.

Recommendation #3 - Ensure all County youth-serving agencies promote environments in which Two-Spirit & LGBTQIA+ youth are safe, treated respectfully, and have access to services. The existence of agencies and services isn’t enough—they must be both hospitable and accessible to those who need them. This requires training, public education, and an understanding of the experiences of Two-Spirit & LGBTQIA+ youth and our duties to them.

Recommendation #4 - Ensure all Humboldt County youth-serving agencies follow the laws, requirements, and responsibilities of TAY-serving agencies with respect to Two-Spirit & LGBTQIA+ youth.

Recommendation #6 - Design specialized community health, mental health, sexual health and substance use services to address unique challenges of Two-Spirit & LGBTQIA+ youth.

Recommendation #8 - Increase utilization of diverse peer professionals.