Our very own Phoenix Schneider, Program Director at The Trevor Project, attended Models of Pride on Saturday, November 1, hosted by Occidental College and sponsored by Friends of Project 10.

Models of Pride is a free one-day conference that focuses on the concerns and interests of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer youth, and allies, ages 14 to 23. The conference is filled with workshops, entertainment, a resource fair, food, networking opportunities, live music, and a dance party finale.

Here is Phoenix’s reflection of the conference.

Phoenix Schneider

It’s 6 a.m., rainy, still dark outside, and I want nothing more than to hit my snooze button for the 7th time but I know that I must get up to make it in time to Models of Pride. The planning for this event started nearly a year ago and yesterday I received my final email (#5,355) from the MOP staff. Yes, I will remember to wear my MOP t-shirt and brush my teeth, etc. etc. When I arrived ON TIME at the event only a handful of youth were there. A few minutes later, it started to pour. I ran under the staff tent while young people held hands and skipped around splashing their feet in puddles of rain. A few minutes later the rain stopped – it is CA after all. It was now time to participate in a 30 minute training on how to facilitate ice-breakers for youth. 30 minutes later the training was over and we were ready to go! We were instructed to split up and take our assigned animal sign to one corner and hold it up for young people to identify us. My co-facilitator and I had the red bull. I stood on a chair and held it up high for people to see. About 20 young people made their way over to our area. Some of them looked anxious and were kind of socially awkward as many young people and adults are in situations with people they don’t know, while a few people already knew eachother and were giggling or chatting. As soon as we formed the circle and I looked around at each of them, I could see a common spark in their eyes. That spark of excitement, of anticipation that something great that was about to happen – these young people standing before me had been looking forward to this day for so long. It might be the first time they can really be out as a gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender person. It might be the first time they are able to connect with other queer youth and queer allies. It was that moment that I realized how important this day was to these young people and how important it really was for me to be part of it. I was finally AWAKE and there was no other place I would rather be then with those young people. We did some introductions had an instantaneous connection and rapport. We led a series of activities that were really fun and allowed young people to share their interests, passions and creativity. The morning kicked off just perfect and the group gave me a natural boost of energy, enough so that I didn’t even need any caffeine or sugar all day!

During lunch, we set up The Trevor Project resource table and many educators and school counselors came over to find out about our work and request kits. We talked to them about our programs and offered to come out and present at their schools. A handful of GSA leaders and members stopped by our table to say that they support and love the work we do. One GSA president told me that his friend mentioned to him at school that he called The Trevor Helpline and it “SAVED HIS LIFE”! That statement gave me chills. A few other young people disclosed to us that they had called the helpline and that the counselors were extremely helpful.

During our Teen Hero Presentation to a group of about 25 young people, many youth felt safe to open up and share that they have thought about or attempted suicide in the past. Others talked about their relatives and peers who they are concerned about and asked for ways that they could reach out to them and help. The room was full of experts and compassionate young leaders who provided one another with support and advice for self-care and helping those they love.

At the end of the presentation, young people came up to us and thanked us for being there and some said that it was the best presentation they had been to. It was such a rewarding and memorable experience – one that I will never forget.

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Phoenix Schneider can be contacted at Phoenix.Schneider@TheTrevorProject.org.