CALL TO ACTION: YL SCHOOLS

Since Young Life has made it clear that they are not interested in being transparent or changing their harmful policies, we’re asking that people reach out to their local school administrators to let them know of the harm Young Life has caused and why they should not be allowed on school campuses or to use school events as outreach opportunities.

*To use this template, please copy/paste it directly into an email from PC or phone. The hyperlinks are active and should work.
*To find your local school administrators/board members’ email addresses, Google “[your city] school board members.”
*Please email dobetteryounglife@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Email Template (copy/paste):

Dear ______,

My name is _____ and I’m a resident of _______. I’m reaching out because I’m concerned about the evangelical organization Young Life’s close proximity to ______ Public Schools. Young Life is a religious organization with motivations and policies that do not align with the district’s non-discrimination policies.

Over the last year, #DoBetterYoungLife has shared first-hand stories of pain and rejection that Young Life has caused to LGBTQ people around the world. Please see the following articles from this year that highlight the harm Young Life has caused young people: Huffington Post, three Denver Post articles, and Religion News Service. Additionally, here’s a link to YL’s most recent policy revisions, which include statements about LGBTQ people being, “an example of the distortion that results from humanity’s rejection of God.”

For decades, Young Life has held these exclusionary policies and theology, and their presence in public schools endangers LGBTQ youth. As many school districts have taken a clear stance against homophobia and transphobia, I’m asking that _____ Public Schools follows through by not allowing anti-LGBTQ organizations, like Young Life, on your campuses. 

For LGBTQ kids in public schools, Young Life’s presence on campus presents a clear risk. When Young Life becomes a hub of social engagement within and around a school, this means LGBTQ kids are faced with the choice of either missing out on social events or having to participate in events that are hosted by an anti-LGBTQ organization. LGBTQ kids should not be faced with this dilemma, and for that reason, I am asking that you prevent Young Life from using school property for events, being on school campuses, using school events as outreach opportunities, using school names as YL club names, and hanging flyers on school campuses.

This aligns with ______ Public Schools’ duty to ensure that public schools are a welcoming environment for all students, and will show LGBTQ students that administrators care about their wellbeing.

Thank you for your time and consideration, and please let me know if you have any questions.

Sincerely,
___________

Phone Number:
Email Address: