LeGaL is Supporting LGBTQ Youth in Schools by Addressing the Legal Needs of At-Risk Youth. #DayOfSilence

GLSEN’s Day of Silence, this year on Friday, April 27, is a student-led national event where folks take a vow of silence to highlight the silencing and erasure of LGBTQ people at school. However, for many at-risk and homeless LGBTQ youth, being safe and visible in schools starts with being protected and supported in all aspects of life. #LGBTQ homeless youth are at greater risk for school discipline and dropping out according to GLSEN. That’s why LeGaL provides a free weekly legal clinic to at-risk LGBTQ youth.

Who runs the legal clinic?

The LGBTQ Youth Qlinic (the “Qlinic”) is a project of The LeGaL Foundation in collaboration with Sanctuary for Families’ Pro Bono Council to provide free short-term limited scope legal services to LGBTQ youth. The Qlinic takes place on Saturday evenings at the Church of St. Luke in the Fields in coordination with Art & Acceptance, a weekly program that provides a safe space and community for lesbian, gay, transgender, gender non-conforming, questioning, and allied youth ages 16–24, many of whom are homeless or struggling with unstable living situations.

What kind of help is offered?

It is the goal of the Qlinic to intervene in the cycle of alienation, discrimination, and exploitation that marginalizes LGBTQ homeless youth. Through short-term legal consultations and referrals, the Qlinic connects youth participants of Art & Acceptance to legal resources to address critical needs. In each consultation, Qlinic Volunteer Attorneys identify legal issues and remedies that may be available to youth participants, and, if appropriate, refer youth participants to legal services organizations that. can offer further guidance or representation. In providing these services, the Qlinic aims to foster an atmosphere of acceptance and inclusiveness, and to communicate to youth participants that their needs are visible and important and that their voices are heard.

When and where is the clinic held?

The clinic is held from 7:00 — 8:00 p.m. every Saturday at the Church of St. Luke in the Fields in coordination with the Art & Acceptance outreach program.

St. Luke in the Fields is located at 487 Hudson St. (between Christopher St. and Barrow St.)

You can learn more about our at risk LGBTQ youth clinic here: https://le-gal.org/youth-clinic/