Teen Health Source Pride Series: 5 Questions with Jameson from TEACH

It’s officially Pride month! At Teen Health Source we’re spending the rest of the month discussing topics related to pride including histories of 2SLGBTQ+ activism, how to get involved, and how to keep pride going year-round. We’re starting things off with a Planned Parenthood Toronto volunteer interview for TEACH, a program dedicated to empowering youth educators to lead workshops on issues related to gender and sexuality.

5 Questions is where Teen Health Source volunteers ask 5 questions to people about their unique perspectives on everything to do with sex and gender. In this instalment, we asked a TEACH (Teens Educating and Confronting Homophobia) Program volunteer Jameson about his experiences as a volunteer and his thoughts on how youth can be more involved with combatting gender and sexuality based discrimination. 

What prompted you to join a program like TEACH?

My experience volunteering with Teen Health Source, through which I noticed a gap in teens’ health knowledge and confidence, led me to TEACH as it seemed like the perfect opportunity to continue advocacy for youth leadership and self-advocacy. Beyond interacting solely with those in the 2SLGBTQ+ community, I like the idea of reaching out to young people who may have little understanding or misconceptions of what it means to be Queer.

What’s something you’ve learned during your time with the program?

I quickly learned that basic education on allyship and empathy can empower youth to question social stigma and challenge ignorance. While some may be uncomfortable with these discussions and behave immaturely, I found myself encouraged by the resounding openness and curiosity of participants.

What do you wish other young people knew about homophobia/transphobia/the work you do with TEACH?

I wish that other young people coming of age today knew how impactful their actions can be to those already vulnerable to bullying and possibly struggling with their identity. I have witnessed through TEACH sessions how small gestures of kindness and understanding can make a huge impact on the mental health and overall wellness of students. Furthermore, it is never too early to get involved in advocacy, especially as an ally!

What’s one way other young people can help combat homophobia/transphobia?

Young people can take a stand against homophobia and transphobia by proactively encouraging respectful class discussions on 2SLGBTQ+ issues while checking in on their peers if they notice one is isolating themselves in and beyond the classroom. Use of micro-aggressions like assumptions of a person’s pronouns and jokes or stereotypes based on identity should be questioned at the source and not tolerated, even if there is no malicious intent.

If you have questions about this topic, feel free to contact one of our peer educators. [Link]

For more information on TEACH, or to book a workshop with one of our youth peer educators, click here: [Link]

Last Updated: June 2023