Update of 5/1/2025:Our Youth Health Conference will now happen on May 31! This comes after a planning pause due to disruptions in federal funding in late March. We are thrilled to now be resuming this work. We are also heartbroken
Windy City Times: LGBTQ+ advocates, lawmakers vow to protect Illinois schools from Trump’s impact
Julio Flores, Program Director for the Alliance, spoke recently with Alec Karam at the Windy City Times. Flores expressed his thoughts and suggestions for what we can do to support the young people in our schools in light of new
Lawsuit Against Executive Order 14187
On January 28, 2025, Executive Order 14187 was signed, threatening to withdraw federal funding from healthcare institutions providing gender-affirming care to transgender youth and young adults. As a response to stop such harmful practices, PFLAG National, along with families of transgender youth,
Join the Youth Health Conference Committee
Are you between 16-24 years old and passionate about making a difference in your Chicago community? Or do you have young people in your life who would enjoy this opportunity? Here’s your chance to get involved with something big. PHIMC
PHIMC’s Unwavering Support for LGBTQ+ Youth
Over the last several days, the Trump administration has released two executive orders directly impacting LGBTQ+ youth, particularly trans and nonbinary youth. One targets schools that support their LGBTQ+ students and staff and the other targets access to affirming healthcare.
Illinois Eagle: The Alliance to hold summit in Bloomington
The Alliance is proud to host the annual Youth Leadership Summit this month in Bloomington, Illinois. As reported in the Illinois Eagle by Caleb Sneeden:The focus of the 2025 Youth Leadership Summit is LGBTQ+ issues, primarily the creation and support
Support LGBTQ+ Youth in Illinois as an Alliance VISTA
Are you ready to support LGBTQ+ youth in Illinois? The Alliance VISTA applications are open!Our Alliance program seeks a cohort of two VISTAs to support activities such as the Midwest LGBTQ+ Network, Youth Health Conference, Action Camp, youth leadership development,
PHIMC’s Team Teen Reflects on the CADCA National Leadership Forum
Earlier this year, James, Meghana, and Liz from PHIMC’s “Team Teen” — aka, our Department of Adolescent and School Health — attended CADCA’s 34th Annual National Leadership Forum in Maryland. The forum is a training event for substance use prevention
Honoring Nex Benedict
Nex Benedict was a kind and caring 16-year-old non-binary student and a member of the Choctaw Nation in Oklahoma. Nex enjoyed gaming and had a strong relationship with their cat, Zeus. Tragically, three classmates dimmed Nex’s light on February 7,
Illinois Eagle: Rainbow Café hosts second GSA Summit
The Illinois Safe Schools Alliance was proud to participate in Rainbow Café’s GSA Summit on Indigenous Peoples’ Day. As reported in The Illinois Eagle by Benito Goff:Gay-Straight or Gender-Sexuality Alliances (GSAs) are important student-led organizations at all school levels that
