Sex Education (Use A Condom)

These advertisements are aimed at educating teens about condom use and what that means for "safe sex".

<3 and peace, Helena

Think Before You Speak

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) teens experience homophobic remarks and harassment throughout the school day, creating an atmosphere where they feel disrespected, unwanted and unsafe. Homophobic remarks such as “that’s so gay” are the most commonly heard; these slurs are often unintentional and a common part of teens’ vernacular. Most do not recognize the consequences, but the casual use of this language often carries over into more overt harassment.

The rate at which students use and hear negative language about lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) people is huge. Over half of all students report hearing homophobic remarks often at school.

The common use of anti-LGBT language is directly related to an even bigger problem – the bullying and harassment of LGBT students.  9 out of 10 LGBT students report being harassed at school in the last year. Over one-third of LGBT students have been physically assaulted at school because of their sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.  Such frequent harassment results in LGBT students being more likely than others to:

-  Feel unsafe
-  Miss school
-  Receive lower grades
-  Not attend college

Creating a safe environment for all students - LGBT and straight alike - begins with one simple act: thinking before you speak.  A lot of anti-LGBT language is said carelessly, and isn’t intended as negative or hurtful. Understand what you’re saying, and think about the potential consequences of the words you choose.
This campaign, Think Before You Speak (http://www.thinkb4youspeak.com/), aims to raise awareness about the prevalence and consequences of anti-LGBT bias and behavior in America’s schools. Ultimately, the goal is to reduce and prevent the use of homophobic language in an effort to create a more positive environment for LGBT teens. The campaign also aims to reach adults, including school personnel and parents; their support of this message is crucial to the success of efforts to change behavior.

If you find that you are passionate about this cause, and would like to do more, I would suggest:

-  Say Something Original and pledge to be an ally to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students. In becoming an ally, you promise not to use homophobic words and phrases – such as “that’s so gay” – and to educate others when you hear them being used. Once you’ve taken the pledge, invite your friends to do the same!  Find the pledge here:  http://www.thinkb4youspeak.com/SignThePledge
-  Join (or start!) your school's GSA.  Participating in Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) and similar clubs are a great way for students to make their schools safer. These student-led clubs work to address anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment in their schools and promote respect for all students. To find out if your school already has a GSA or to get information on how to start one, register at http://www.studentorganizing.org/.
-  Participate in a Day of Action.  Each year, hundreds of thousands of students around the country participate in GLSEN’s four national Days of Action: the Day of Silence, Ally Week, TransAction! and the Dr. MLK Jr. Organizing Weekend. During these Days of Action, students organize events, hold rallies and take other actions to draw attention to the problem of anti-LGBT bullying in schools. To find out more, visit http://www.dayofsilence.org/.
-  Get involved with a GLSEN chapter.  Local GLSEN chapters are working everyday to make schools safer in their communities. By volunteering with a GLSEN chapter, you can make a difference beyond your hallways and improve the safety of every school in your community. To find a GLSEN chapter near you, visit http://www.glsen.org/.

<3 and peace, Helena

Love146 (End Child Sex Slavery And Exploitation)

In 2002, the co-founders of Love146 (http://www.love146.org/) traveled to South East Asia to witness first hand the atrocity of child sex slavery and the hope of abolition and restoration. While there, Rob and Lamont (the 2 male founders)went undercover with professional investigators into a brothel. In that brothel, they witnessed little girls standing behind a wall of glass, each wore a matching red dress with a number pinned to her chest; they were watching children’s cartoons on small television sets. Men were purchasing these girls by the number pinned to her dress. As Rob and Lamont looked at these children watching cartoons they were struck by the eyes of each child. Their eyes seemed empty, without spark of life, like robots. And then there was #146. The only one not watching cartoons, she was staring back through the glass with fire and fight left in her eyes, there was still life there. In her eyes they found their calling. In her number came their name.

I think what Love146 provides is a wonderful system of prevention and aftercare for children who were trafficked, prostituted, and abused.  While they don't actually rescue these people from brothels, they do work closely with agencies that do.  For those curious about how many are affected by trafficking/ slavery, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) estimate that 1.2 million are children trafficked annually.



Issues that arise from trafficking include:

- HIV and other serious illnesses
- Psychological trauma
- Loss of educational opportunities
- Loss of family and community
- Increased vulnerability to further abuse

Some of the main reasons trafficking exists include:

- Lucrative business: 12 billion dollar per year industry
- Weak law enforcement
- Demand for commercial sex and for cheap labor
- Poverty and lack of economic opportunities
- Discrimination
- Low social status of girls

Anyone with a child, whose been a child, or who likes children can understand why this serious problem of modern-day slavery needs to be stopped.  If you would like further ideas of how you can help support this cause, check out these links:

Love146 youtube channel:  http://www.youtube.com/Justice4Children
Love146 myspace page:  http://www.myspace.com/love146
Love146 twitter page:  http://twitter.com/officiallove146
Love146 on facebook causes:  http://apps.facebook.com/causes/1533/45056902
Love146 store:  http://love146.storenvy.com/products
Love146 news:  http://love146.org/news
Love146 blog:  http://love146.org/blog
Love146 stories (my favorite part!):  http://love146.org/stories

Or, if you could find it in your heart to give $5 to Love146, enter your mobile number below:





<3 and peace, Helena