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The Philly Pride Charter Initiative is working to create a safe space and community where all learners are empowered to embrace education, attain personal success, and lay claim to their future in a fearless and nurturing learning environment.

This school will provide a place for children, grades 6-12, to deepen their understanding of self, cultivate their relationship with the arts while having access to scholarly and pedantic curriculum so that they may have every opportunity to be the best version of themselves.

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In a risk assessment done by Philadelphia Public High Schools in 2019, 1 out of every 4 students that participated identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual or unsure. These students are 3 times more likely to consider suicide when compared to their heterosexual counterparts. That number increased by 17% from just 3 years before this study was conducted and Is climbing exponentially every year! According to Trevor Project, 1 in 4 Black transgender and nonbinary students reported a suicide attempt in the past year. 57% of Black LGBTQ young people identify as transgender or nonbinary. Suicide rates among these kids doubled last year (25%) compared to cisgender LGBQ (11%) young people. These numbers are exacerbated in low income communities and communities of color. In research conducted by GLSEN, published in 2020, 85% of LGBTQ students experienced severe bullying in schools, 60% had been sexually harassed and 34.7% experienced physical violence . According to a study published by The Journal of Adolescent Health, in May of 2006, Bullying is associated with poor mental health, including symptoms of depression, low self-esteem, and suicidal ideation. Although shocking, these numbers are no surprise and they are increasing every year. It is up to us to change this , and we can, this school is the beginning of an answer.

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This school concept has been met with great success in a conservative, southern district, Birmingham Alabama through the opening of the Magic City Acceptance Academy. Just imagine what could happen here in Philly. With the community and resources Philadelphia has at its disposal the possibilities are endless. According to a report by CBS news in 2017, Philadelphia, The City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection, is raked as one of the top LGBTQ-friendly cities in the United States. It is home to the historical Gayborhood and hosts annual events like Philly Pride 365, not to mention the presents of bold and impactful organizations like William Way, The Attic, GALAIE, Colors and many more. This tone of acceptance and equality is not a new development, it is a part of our history. In 1965, Philly was the site of one of the first major gay rights demonstrations in the country, Gay Reminders.

According to The Williams Institute at UCLA there are an estimated 1.9 million children between the ages of 13 and 17 that identify as LGBT in the United States and 74,000 of them live in Pennsylvania! This is 9.54% of the youth population that have openly identified. The same study estimates that actual numbers could be as high at 2.1 million in the US and 78,000 in PA. In a study published by the CDC in 2021, fewer teens than ever are identifying as straight, 1 in 4 high School students identifies as LGBTQ. In a poll published by Newsweek in 2021 , almost 40% of Gen Zs, 30% of young Christians identify and according to the LGBTQ repot of 2018 published by the Human Rights Campaign, only 11% of LGBTQ youth of color believe that their racial/ethnic group is regarded positively in the United States.

of trans students can never use the restrooms or Lockeroom's that match their gender identity.

Aren’t using them because they are not sure if they are allowed to

of LGBTQ kids repot that they can always be themselves in school

3

5

out of

of LGBTQ kids have have access to a Gender/Sexuality Support Alliance support group or something similar

of these kids never use restrooms or locker rooms in school because they DON'T FEEL SAFE

of LGBTQ kids have experienced verbal threats because of their actual or perceived LGBTQ identity.

of LGBTQ kids can "defiantly be themselves in school"

of LGBTQ kids repory hearing a positive message in school about being LGBTQ

of all LGBTQ kids have been bullied at school because of their sexual orientation

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