Biden Launches “As You Are” LGBTQ Family Acceptance Initiative

Former vice president Joe Biden just started a campaign in his foundation to promote family acceptance of LGBTQ youth. Biden has been an open supporter of all things #LGBTQ, including supporting the transgender right to serve in the military. With the help of friends like Cyndi Lauper and NFL player Wade Davis, the goal of the As You Are initiative is to turn tragic statistics into stories of love. While the LGBTQ community has made immense progress in the past few decades, 40% of homeless youth that identify as LGBTQ – as well as LGBTQ youth under 25 – are five times more likely to have attempted suicide. This tragedy can’t ignored any longer. As You Are offers support to folks who are going through a tough time and offers resources and research to families who may be confused or need some assistance understanding how to move forward. Great partners are giving the program a lift. Recently the YMCA partnered with As You Are to promote LGBTQ acceptance and inclusion in their facilities and programs. Biden encourages everyone to share their story. These stories will be shared to “help educate the broader public about the critical importance of affirming, accepting, and supporting our LGBTQ young people.” “We’ll use our resources to highlight the harms of family rejection and lift up research, best practices and personal stories to show the importance of family acceptance,” says Biden in the video campaign.