For June, National HIV Testing Month, NYAC launched the online social networking campaign of You Know Different, to encourage LGBTQ 
youth and youth of color to get tested for HIV on Facebook and MySpace.
As a way to encourage youth to use the Facebook campaign, NYAC offered a prize to the young person that was able to recruit the most people to the yKNOWd Cause. And the winner is. . . Tommy Gray, who recruited 99 people in one month! I had the chance to chat with Tommy, here is our conversation, I am labeled "JB" and he is "TG."
JB: Hi Tommy, it was really great to see how quickly you were able to recruit so many new youth members to the You Know Different Facebook Cause. I see that activism is very important to you, what part does Facebook play in your activism and/or causes that you care about?
TG: Facebook is a great way to get others involved in organizations, causes, and activities because it is very youth oriented. Many teens and young adults check their Facebook pages regularly and so it's a great way to quickly relay information to others. I'm able to post information and recommend causes to friends that are like-minded.
JB: How did you find out about NYAC's You Know Different campaign?
TG: I'm signed up for the NYAC emails which explained the You Know Different campaign. I looked into the cause and it is one I definitely support.
JB: Why is raising awareness amongst youth (13-24) about HIV and AIDS important to you?
TG: I have a strong belief that through education and awareness youth will be more informed and subsequently be more likely to engage in abstinence, safe sex practices, and HIV and AIDS testing. I think raising awareness about the importance of getting tested is critical because it will hopefully increase the chances of youth actually getting tested. In general, HIV and AIDS education is important because young adults need to be aware of the consequences and effects HIV and AIDS have on the body and one's life.
JB: A lot of organizations these days are trying to find ways to reach out to youth on the Internet like Facebook and MySpace. Do you think its helpful for organizations to use the Internet to reach youth? What are ways that organizations can get your attention?
TG: I think it's extremely important and effective to use websites like Facebook and MySpace to reach out to youth. Websites like these are used by youth on a daily basis. The most important thing an organization must do to gain attention is making sure its name is out there. People need to be aware that the organization exists. In order to do this, the organization can set up a fan page, cause, or group. It might even be helpful if the organization had an event that youth could attend in order to learn more about the organization and what it does. If there's a way the organization can get the youth involved in campaigning or volunteering the youth might be more likely to learn more about the organization. Keep them updated on what you're doing and send out messages to the members of your groups or post information explaining why your organization is pertinent to them.
youth and youth of color to get tested for HIV on Facebook and MySpace.As a way to encourage youth to use the Facebook campaign, NYAC offered a prize to the young person that was able to recruit the most people to the yKNOWd Cause. And the winner is. . . Tommy Gray, who recruited 99 people in one month! I had the chance to chat with Tommy, here is our conversation, I am labeled "JB" and he is "TG."
JB: Hi Tommy, it was really great to see how quickly you were able to recruit so many new youth members to the You Know Different Facebook Cause. I see that activism is very important to you, what part does Facebook play in your activism and/or causes that you care about?
TG: Facebook is a great way to get others involved in organizations, causes, and activities because it is very youth oriented. Many teens and young adults check their Facebook pages regularly and so it's a great way to quickly relay information to others. I'm able to post information and recommend causes to friends that are like-minded.
JB: How did you find out about NYAC's You Know Different campaign?
TG: I'm signed up for the NYAC emails which explained the You Know Different campaign. I looked into the cause and it is one I definitely support.
JB: Why is raising awareness amongst youth (13-24) about HIV and AIDS important to you?
TG: I have a strong belief that through education and awareness youth will be more informed and subsequently be more likely to engage in abstinence, safe sex practices, and HIV and AIDS testing. I think raising awareness about the importance of getting tested is critical because it will hopefully increase the chances of youth actually getting tested. In general, HIV and AIDS education is important because young adults need to be aware of the consequences and effects HIV and AIDS have on the body and one's life.
JB: A lot of organizations these days are trying to find ways to reach out to youth on the Internet like Facebook and MySpace. Do you think its helpful for organizations to use the Internet to reach youth? What are ways that organizations can get your attention?
TG: I think it's extremely important and effective to use websites like Facebook and MySpace to reach out to youth. Websites like these are used by youth on a daily basis. The most important thing an organization must do to gain attention is making sure its name is out there. People need to be aware that the organization exists. In order to do this, the organization can set up a fan page, cause, or group. It might even be helpful if the organization had an event that youth could attend in order to learn more about the organization and what it does. If there's a way the organization can get the youth involved in campaigning or volunteering the youth might be more likely to learn more about the organization. Keep them updated on what you're doing and send out messages to the members of your groups or post information explaining why your organization is pertinent to them.
JB: Can you tell me a little about yourself, where you're from, your experiences within activism and issues around HIV and/or LGBTQ youth?
TG: In May, I graduated from Shawnee Mission East High in Prairie Village, Kansas. I will be attending Tulane University in the fall. Here's a few instances of activism and involvement I've done within the LGBTQ community. In the beginning of the year, I talked with our district superintendent to incorporate sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression into our district’s nondiscrimination policy. I attended Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network’s (GLSEN) 2009 Students of Color Organizing Weekend in Atlanta in January. I also attended the Empowering Queer Activists and Leaders (EQUAL) Empowerment Summit in my community this February. It empowered me to continue to be an activist for social justice because everyone there was inspirational. I am the PFLAG 2009 National Scholarship winner of the Jeanne Manford Memorial Scholarship. After a battle against my school's administration, I was able to organize my high school’s Day of Silence in April.
I also personally organized my school and community to raise $7,000 in less than three days for AIDS and Cancer research at the Kansas University Medical Center when Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church (www.godhatesfags.com) came to protest at my school. I also helped organize a counter-protest that was extremely positive and peaceful. There were over 500 people that came out in support and it has given me a drive to continue what I’m doing. Many people came up to me and said that they felt inspired to do something with their own lives after this event and I am forever grateful to everyone that participated in this event because of this. We were able to turn something so negative into something very positive.
I am currently working with my county librarians to facilitate workshops for educators and Youth Services librarians on issues concerning the LGBT community.
JB: Wow, you've been keeping yourself busy! It is great to see that youth like you are taking a stand for their rights and getting the tools you need to cause a ruckus! Thank you for the work you do and for helping to raise awareness about HIV online with NYAC! We look forward to see what you do next!
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