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“My name is Naomi Castejon Wong, I use she/her pronouns, and I identify as a proud transgender woman. I’m one of the volunteers with the LGBTQ Youth Space’s Speakers Bureau, and I just want to share how impactful this program has been in my life and the growth that it has allowed me to achieve.
Having attended multiple different panels in this last year and a half, from students in high school to new graduate social workers, I believe that speaking from my own lived experience and sharing that with people who may not personally know anyone in the LGBTQIA+ community is monumental. It is so important for people to hear our stories directly from us, in our own words, rather than from people who are unqualified, misinformed, or not connected to our communities. Words being spread from the wrong mouths leads to inaccurate data, false ideals and fear mongering society into believing things that are so damaging to the progress we’ve made this far.
Programs like the LGBTQ Speakers Bureau allow volunteers to destigmatize stereotypes that prevent the nurturing of true connection and open and honest dialogue... We are individuals with powerful, unique, and inspiring stories, living confidently and courageously in our truths and deserve the right to be heard. Now more than ever, these programs and safe spaces need your support in order to continue providing the community outreach they do."
