Issue 1, 2014
The Source for Knowledge on Gender and Orientation
re (ri) n. 1. anew, again
vision (vizh n) n. 1. the manner in which one sees or conceives of something
UNG & YES Institute Creating Unprecedented K–5 Curriculum
2013 – A Breakthrough Year of Results
The University of North Georgia’s
Community Dialogues not only
YES Institute’s annual January
College of Education forges
increased their knowledge on
education weekend brought
a unique partnership with YES
gender and orientation, but
together nearly 80 participants to
Institute to build campus relations
also dramatically reduced their
and create a gender and
previous discomfort around these
orientation curriculum for future
topics.
educators. See page 6
Participants report YES Institute
Yesterday, It Was a Source of Shame. Today, Reconciliation
engage in purposeful conversations about communication, gender, and orientation.
See page 3 See page 4
D
ear Friends,
On February 26, 2014, YES Institute celebrated 18 years of providing powerful communication and education on gender and orientation. Our history of producing bold and lasting results has garnered a reputation of accountability that is now opening doors for systemic, community wide change. We find ourselves responding to needs far beyond the anticipated reach of such a lean organization. Rachel Sottile Logvin, Executive Director
The growing demand for our work is opening new opportunities to train major healthcare systems, religious communities and school systems. Our expertise in communication and education on gender and orientation brings requests for our work from every segment of the community that is involved in keeping youth safe. Some of the 2013 accomplishments include: s 70% increase in the number of participants in our work since 2009. s Trained Miami-Dade County judges, attorneys and court professionals from Family Court, Drug Court, Criminal Court and Civil Court.
s Partnered with University of North Georgia to develop curriculum on gender for elementary students. s Provided training for the University of Miami School of Medicine Students, SpectrUM, STRIVE, Butler Center, Osher Life Long Learning Institute and Department of Athletics. s Presented to college and university student leaders from across the country at the Atlantic Coast Conference Leadership Symposium. 92% percent of our budget goes directly to education that keeps all youth safe. Your support makes these results possible and allows us to thrive and grow. We ask for your continued generosity to stay independent and strong. If you are pleased with the results of our work, we invite you to continue to invest in making the world safer for our youth. If you would like to discuss anything about the current or future work of YES Institute, please give me a call. I hope to hear from you soon,
s Partnered with the PreTrial Institute in Washington, DC to explore strategies for systemic shifts in how the criminal justice system addresses challenges around gender and orientation. s Cultivated ongoing partnership with Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital & Memorial Regional Healthcare Systems, resulting in multiple training opportunities with various departments.
The Source For Knowledge On Gender & Orientation
Mission To prevent suicide and ensure the healthy development of all youth through powerful communication and education on gender and orientation. Phone 305-663-7195 Website yesinstitute.org Address 5275 Sunset Drive Miami, FL 33143
2 - ReVision, Issue 1, 2014
Rachel Sottile Logvin, M.S. Executive Director
My New Home By Umut Dursun
For as long as I can remember I have known myself to be a guy, even if everyone in my world told me I was a girl. Having other people see me the way I see myself had always been a dream. At 27 years old I knew I could not live a day longer as a female and decided to begin my transition to male. As my dream was becoming reality my mind turned to a single question: “Will I lose my family?” Two weeks after coming on staff at YES Institute my Muslim father, visiting from Turkey, joined me at a YES Institute Community Dialogue. For the first time my Dad heard me share about my journey. After listening intently, he told me he still does not fully understand why I needed to transition, but he now knows I can be safe in the world and that gives him peace. Thanks to the communication tools I’ve learned my dad and I are now closer, and more authentic with each other than ever before.
As the Community Liaison at YES Institute, I am committed to bringing opportunities for open communication and authenticity to all youth and families. Please come by and introduce yourself to me!
YES Institute Community Liaison Umut Dursun, and his dad.
2013 – A Breakthrough Year of Results
Y
ES Institute is committed to evaluating our work to ensure high quality outcomes for people within the communities we serve. This summary contains findings from our pre/post surveys (n=4,196) in 2013.
70% Increase in the total number of participants reached by YES Institute since 2009.
Participants who rated their overall YES Institute experience as worthwhile or extremely worthwhile.
A Culture of Slurs & Violence
46% hear “anti-gay” slurs on a weekly or daily basis, and 17% witness “anti-gay” physical violence on a monthly, weekly or daily basis, in their school, college campus or workplace.
Communication Solutions™ (N=352)
Inspiring People to Take Action
93% indicate increased commitment to speak up when hearing others bully with anti-gay slurs.
100%
Prior to YES Institute, these participants reported they never, rarely or only sometimes spoke up.
Empowering People with Knowledge & Tools
91% report YES Institute increased their knowledge about specific challenges faced by youth and families on gender and orientation, and 63% feel more equipped to handle a situation
Gender & Orientation Education courses (N=245)
regarding these topics. Prior to YES Institute, these participants reported none, low or uncertain levels of knowledge and tools.
Reducing Fears
99%
Of those who reported their pre-survey comfort level as very uncomfortable, uncomfortable, or unsure towards gay or transgender people:
82% increased their comfort level towards transgender people, and 77% increased their comfort level towards gay, lesbian, and bisexual people, after a YES Institute dialogue.
Community Dialogues (n=3,599)
Participant Demographics (n=4,196)
93%
25% Physicians & Nursing 18% Psychologists and therapist 17% Teachers 9% Social service workers 5% Business professionals 27% Various other professionals
Education level: 38% Undergraduate 34% Secondary school 28% Graduate and Post-doc 26% of participants are parents
View the full 2013 Program Evaluations report, which includes procedures and limitations: yesinstitute.org/results
YES Institute - 3
Yesterday, It Was a Source of Shame. Today, Reconciliation.
F
rom as far as Washington DC and Louisville, KY, nearly 80 people gathered for YES Institute’s annual education week. Medical professionals, students, families, transgender youth, and community members filled the room. This four day weekend is YES Institute’s annual gathering where people come from all over the country to participate in our work.
The Logan family participates in Communication Solutions™.
Friday morning began with Gender Continuum, exploring the inherited notions of femininity and masculinity, and how our understanding of these concepts impact everyone. One youth shared, “Every time I take this course, I learn something and begin to see things differently. I’m beginning to see who I really am beyond all the superficial and exterior stuff. Today, I connected with what makes me... Me.” Communication Solutions™ followed the next day and opened with a woman sharing about being the lone survivor in a fatal car crash that took the life of her brother, sister and sister-in-law. This somber event shook her into action with an urgent reminder of her own mortality. It was then that she decided to gender transition after 53 years of living as a man. Four surgeries later her medical transition was complete. With this came another harsh reality communicating about such a transition can produce its own breakdown. In her case it was with her 80 year old father who was completely baffled and did not accept this change. They had not spoken in
We welcome Patricia Caicedo (on the left with daughter Manuela) to the Board of Directors. A mother of three, Patricia is committed to education on gender. Her determination and unconditional love make her a perfect fit for our family.
over a year. Inspired in Communication Solutions™, she found courage to call home and fortified with tools learned in the course was able to heal their relationship. After this powerful new communication she was finally able to hear her father when he said, “I love you.”
“This course reassured me that I
belong. Having a place where I can be myself, and be real, gives me so much
”
hope. I got my voice back today.
Participants completed the weekend taking Deciphering the Matrix of Orientation. After examining gender in a powerful way, awareness of orientation began to unfold. New questions began to emerge as people began to distinguish gender from orientation. “I am now questioning the labels I have used for orientation, my own and others, and rethinking the role of gender in determining who I am attracted to,” stated one participant. Few medical schools have curriculum on gender and orientation. One medical student at the University of Louisville saw an urgent need for this education in medical schools. He traveled to YES Institute to gain tools to begin to develop a curriculum on gender and orientation at his medical school.“Hearing the suffering and hardships many gay and transgender people have endured inspired me to bring this education to the medical field. My hope is that all patients, regardless of gender or orientation, will feel supported and safe when they’re in my care.” For upcoming courses and registration information visit: yesinstitute.org/register
Kiaora Society
I
n recognition of her unwavering dedication to the mission of YES Institute, we express gratitude to our dear friend Reverend Marta S. Weeks. We have created the new donor level, Marta Weeks Exemplary, in honor of her commitment. Her bountiful contributions as a lifetime Kiaora member are instrumental in the growth of YES Institute. We thank longtime supporters Jan & Daniel Lewis for increasing their contribution to the Luminary level. We also acknowledge and thank Ed McAmis & Gerson Gonzalez for their renewal at the Luminary level. We are grateful for their ongoing generosity which keeps YES Institute growing strong. We appreciate the friendship and commitment of Paula Morabito & Maria Yip and The TOBY Fund, for renewing at the Visionary level.
4 - ReVision, Issue 1, 2014
Kiaora Society (cont’d from pg. 4) We welcome and thank our newest Champion, Michael Rucker, for his commitment to bringing education where it is needed most. We also thank Kevin Miller & Allan Hunter, The Ruth Anderson Foundation, and an anonymous donor who have generously renewed at the Champion level. We thank steadfast supporters Carol & Ed Williamson and Trae Williamson for increasing their contribution to the Leader level. We extend our gratitude and welcome The Logan Family and Kevin Veilleux who have joined the Kiaora Society of donors at the Leader level. We are grateful to renewing Leaders Thomas Blount and Howard Kurzweil. Thank you for your commitment to keeping youth safe. We are inspired by the support of new friends and Mentors Thel G. Boyette, Jr. & David A. Page, John D. & Leonardo M., Gary Davis, Patricia Davis, Marisa di Giovanni, Arlene Alvarez Gomez, and Robert Hidalgo. We thank our good friends and renewing Mentors Lewis Aaron & Nigel Stirk, Patrick Abuzeni & Angela Patt, Connie Barden, Bruce A. Christensen, John M. Cooney & Julio Fernandez, Joe Cross & Victor Vianello, William Dewald, Dave & Madelaine Doyle, Dennis Edwards & Mark Steinberg Foundation, Jody Fletcher & Marie Anne Konig-Jimenez, Martha Fugate, Elizabeth & Seth Gadinsky, Theresa J. Galivan, Barbara Gray, Misae Graziano, (Cont’d next page)
YES Institute Young Professionals Society Yuppies $500.00 Andreina Castillo Alemany & Tomasz Alemany Umut Dursun Douglas & Leda Jones Brittney & Kara McCabe Annabelle & Emily Rinehart SpectrUM Allison Tinney Joseph Zolobczuk
Yipsters $250.00 Lydian Marie Almaguer Gamma Alpha Chapter of Delta Lambda Phi Fraternity Brandon Behr Athena Hadjixenofontos Caro Hernandez Darkis Merida Jowharah Sanders Deanna Saunders Georgina Toledo
Kiaora Society Kiaora Society members donate $1,000 or more to YES Institute annually. Marta Weeks Exemplary $150,000
Mentor $1,000 (cont.)
Rev. Marta S. Weeks
Victoria Gabriel Elizabeth & Seth Gadinsky Theresa Gallivan Marisa di Giovanni Randall R. Gluss Barbara T. Gray Misae Graziano James Gross Sherri Hankal Marty Harris & Nikki Korval Lynn Herald Robert Hidalgo Aaron Hill Lawrence R. Hyer at The Miami Foundation Robert Johnson & Layne Tidwell Bill Jones & Reinaldo Hernandez Douglas Kinsley & Gabriel Pou Jahn & Christie Kirchoff Ellen L. Leesfield & Pamela Perry Eva Leivas-Andino Alfredo & Cristy Leon Ivy Beth Lewis - The IV Fund Esteban Londoño Larry Luing & Dario Espinosa Jeffry Marcus Linda Marraccini Dean Mealy & Peter Barbatis Ed Miller in memory of Marty Schildhouse Richard Milstein & Eric Hankin William Neubauer Robert Oldakowski & Luis Mendoza Tanya D. Pages Damian Pardo José Luis Pére Howard Perry Rothberg II & Paul A. Scolieri-Rothberg Cathy Pick Luis & Eleonora Pons Jim Post & Sergio Landa Scott Prosan Dr. Alan K. Roberts & Allan Barger Silvia Rojas Bill Ross John Ruark & Sergio Papa John Saavedra & Fabio Azevedo Don Sadler Steven Santiago Lee Schrager Esther C. Schumann Seitlin, A Marsh & McLennan LLC Company Richard Shannon Roxana & Efrain Sora Roxy-Cary Sora Hortensia V. Soriano Rachel Sottile Logvin Gary B. Stross Mike Syers Joseph H. Treyz & Tony Dewell Tony Ulloa Olga & Ignacio del Valle Cynthia & Emilio Vazquez Vega & Oprandi Marlene Velasquez-Sedito Tim Wagoner Patricia & Milton Wallace Laura White Patricia Woodson Dr. Terilee Wunderman Bradley York & Enrique Patino Anonymous Anonymous
Trustee $50,000 Joseph Blount
Luminary $25,000 Ed McAmis & Gerson Gonzalez Jan & Daniel Lewis Jonathan Lewis
Visionary $10,000 Jorge L. Basto & Robert Zimmerman Patricia Caicedo & Eduardo Salazar First 100 Funders Fund at Our Fund, Inc Jonathan & Tina Kislak Joseph M. Kraus F. Lynn Leverett Paula Morabito & María M. Yip June Raben, in memory of Murray Raben Karen Raben & Andrea Pernick Wayne A. Schrebe and Roy J. Stegman Charitable Fund at Our Fund, Inc. The TOBY Fund Charles Urstadt
Champion $5,000 Mel Heifetz The Miami Foundation Kevin Miller & Allan Hunter Micheal Rucker The Ruth Anderson Foundation Anonymous
Leader $2,500 Rusty Atlas Thomas Blount Thomas Gellman & Carlos Yudica Howard Kurzweil The Logan Family Dr. John J. Martin, Jr. & Forrest McSurdy Lane W. Park Jorge Vazquez & Robert Armada Kevin Veilleux Carol & Ed Williamson Trae Williamson
Mentor $1,000 Lewis Aaron & Nigel Stirk Dr. Patrick Abuzeni & Angela Patt Jose Alonso Arlene Alvarez Gomez Greg Baldwin & Jose Castro Connie Barden Alan Behmoiras Sam Blum Thel G. Boyette, Jr & David A. Page Jerry Chasen & Mark Kirby Bruce A. Christensen John M. Cooney & Julio Fernandez Joe Cross & Victor Vianello Jorge de la Cruz-Muñoz John D. & Leonardo M. Gary Davis Patricia Davis William Dewald Dave & Madelaine Doyle Dennis Edwards & Mark Steinberg Foundation Jody Fletcher & Marie Anne Konig-Jimenez Martha Fugate
Stephanie Yahn
YES Institute - 5
Creating Unprecedented K-5 Curriculum Miami to participate in YES Institute’s curriculum. These professors, later deemed the “Fab 7”, are now working with Dean Michael to bring this vision to reality.
“It’s wonderful to learn about an effective communication model
with my colleagues. It gave us, as a community, common language for our purpose going forward.
”
- Professor, University of North Georgia
YES Institute co-founder Martha Fugate and UNG Faculty during Communication Solutions™.
I
n 2002 several student suicides left the rural mountain communities of north Georgia devastated. Reverend Frank Colladay, a local Presbyterian minister concerned about what could be at the source, contacted YES Institute for education on gender and orientation. Through Rev. Colladay we met Dr. Bob Michael, Dean of the College of Education for the state’s military college, at the time known as North Georgia College & State University (NGCSU). Over the last 12 years Dean Michael has been working with YES Institute to build an inclusive campus community where all feel welcome. Recently the Georgia college system was restructured, merging 2 colleges and 4 campuses to create the new University of North Georgia (UNG). Knowing there was a gap in classroom education around the topics of gender and orientation, for all the campuses, Dean Michael was very receptive when YES Institute suggested a partnership to create a K-5 curriculum for teachers. Finding faculty excited about the opportunity, in the summer of 2013, the project was underway. Seven professors from the UNG Dahlonega, Gainesville and Oconnee campuses, traveled to
As the project developed, in January 2014, YES Institute traveled to Georgia to begin dialogues with students, faculty and staff at three of the UNG campuses. There were several opportunities to participate during the five days YES Institute was on campus. Many shared a lack of comfort around these conversations. One young man commented, “One of my best friends is gay. I don’t hang out with him alone because others might think I am gay.” On the last day of our visit 42 faculty and staff members from all four UNG campuses braved ice, snow, and a record breaking winter storm to participate in Communication Solutions™. One professor stated, “I’ve always been aware of the limitations in how I communicate. This has made me more aware of the power I have to affect change and produce solutions. The need for this style/method of communicating is so great!” Education students working on the K-5 curriculum project are taking part in video conferences with YES Institute’s course leaders and members of the speakers bureau. In addition to the cutting edge education, they hear firsthand accounts from parents with children who are going through a gender transition, adults who struggled as youth to find their identity, and students who have (Cont’d next page)
Kiaora Society (cont’d from pg. 5) James Gross, Marty Harris & Nikki Korval, Lynn Herald, Robert Johnson & Layne Tidwell, Bill Jones & Reinaldo Hernandez, Ellen L. Leesfield & Pamela Perry, Eva Leivas-Andino, Alfredo & Christy Leon, Ivy Beth Lewis - The IV Fund, Linda Marraccini, Dean Mealy & Peter Barbatis, Cathy Pick, Seitlin, A Marsh & McLennan LLC Company, Jim Post & Sergio Landa, Scott Prosan, Silvia Rojas, John Ruark & Sergio Papa, John Saavedra & Fabio Azevedo, Don Sadler, Esther C. Schumann, Roxana & Efrain Sora, Hortensia V. Soriano, Rachel Sottile Logvin, Gary B. Stross, Joseph
6 - ReVision, Issue 1, 2014
H. Treyz & Tony Dewell, Vega & Oprandi, Marlene Velasquez-Sedito, Patricia Woodson, and Dr. Terilee Wunderman. We are also grateful for the generosity, vision and leadership of our Board of Directors. We thank renewing Leader Dr. John J. Martin, Jr. & Forrest McSurdy. We also acknowledge renewing Mentors Victoria Gabriel, Karen Raben & Andrea Pernick, Roxy-Cary Sora, and Cynthia & Emilio Vazquez.
K-5 Curriculum…(cont’d from pg. been bullied by gender and orientation slurs and violence in school. This new UNG curriculum project has the potential to result in a huge paradigm shift in early childhood education. After completing the first video conference with the students, one shared, “This dialogue opened my eyes to what’s real for transgender people. Before today I thought this was a mental problem. Now I see it’s about real people, including me.”
to understand. Currently there are little to no resources to aid teachers in classroom conversations even if the school is receptive. Through this innovative partnership with UNG, the vision of having all students safe will be one step closer.
More and more children are beginning gender transitions in elementary and secondary schools, and their families struggle Community Liaison Umut Dursun addressing students at the UNG Gainesville campus.
Work in Schools
A
fter many attempts to react to bullying and youth suicide, teachers and administrators are shifting their focus to prevention and creating different outcomes for the next generation through communication and education. In the last six months, YES Institute has opened new dialogues on gender and orientation with more than 500 students ranging from 4th to 12th grade.
A YES Institute volunteer shared about his suicide attempt with students at his former high school, Miami Palmetto Senior High. After he spoke, YES Institute facilitator Brittney McCabe said, “Raise your hand if this is the first time you’ve listened to the experience of someone labeled transgender.” Every hand went up. One student said, “I’m going to make an effort to show people they can be themselves around me.”
“I saw my students gain an
Students as young as 11 years old shared the humiliation and harassment they face when they do not meet gender expectations.
understanding of what kids endure when they feel excluded.
”
- Teacher, Miami Palmetto Senior High School
“I like to cook with my mom. One time, my brother saw me wearing oven mitts and he said it was gay. Now I feel too
”
embarrassed to cook. - Student, 4th grade
At Hialeah Gardens Senior High School, a student shared, “I can’t talk about doing feminine things because I’ll be called gay, so I just don’t talk about that part of myself.” A fellow student declared, “I say ‘faggot’ all the time because I thought it was no big deal. Now I’ll choose my words wisely.” Fifth graders eagerly share their experiences of gender and bullying.
YES Institute - 7
Issue 1, 2014 5275 Sunset Drive Miami, FL 33143 www.yesinstitute.org
“I believe that telling our stories, first to ourselves and then to one another and the world, is a revolutionary act.” - Janet Mock, Redefining Realness
New Course Launches At YES Institute: A Communication Called Bullying
M
ost people have been impacted by “bullying” at some point in their life. We’ve listened to the
stories with a heavy heart when violence
YES Institute Education Continuing education credits available for Florida therapists and nurses, and professional development for Miami-Dade County Public School employees. Gender Continuum May 17, 2014, 9am - 5pm
fills our schools. In A Communication Called Bullying,
Deciphering the Matrix of Orientation May 18, 2014, 9am - 5pm
participants delve into a different perception of what it means to be a “bully” and the impact it has on the community. What is being communicated by the bully? How do we stop behaviors no one has any solutions for? What do
“Today I learned that the
we hear? Does what we hear affect how
fundamental mechanism behind
we respond? Can our responses become
bullying is communication. If
more effective if our listening is more attuned to the communication being
we want to stop bullying we
Communication Solutions™ June 20 & 21, 2014, Noon - 6pm, Two-day Course A Communication Called Bullying August 8, 2014, 9am - 5pm
delivered? These and other questions are
must first decipher what the bully
explored in this course.
is trying to say.
Register Today! 305-663-7195
- MDCPS teacher
yesinstitute.org/education
8 - ReVision, Issue 1, 2014
”