James Robinson , GLBT Advocacy & Youth Services Inc.

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Big Idea

Youths in Alabama may be faced with a difficult set of circumstances when they turn 18. In Alabama, a parent’s legal responsibility ends at when a child turns 18, even though a person is not considered a contractual adult until he or she turns 19.

Sometimes, parents of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) youths kick those young people out of the house because the parents disapprove of the children’s sexual orientation or gender identity. If the young person is 18, he or she will not be able to sign a lease or other contracts until age 19. The year in between can be one of homelessness.

How Winning Will Help

The award will help us provide options to those young people.

This past year I developed a nonprofit organization in Huntsville, Ala. We are working to establish programs for youths from the LGBT community, but it is very hard finding financial support – our community is very conservative. We have sponsored events and activities during the past year to raise public awareness of the needs of our youths. We hope to provide direct support to those young people.

About James Robinson

I am inspired by the hope and spirit I see in the volunteers who work with me and in the youths who attend our support groups. I am also inspired by the messages and phone calls I receive from people outside the LGBT community that encourage me and support our efforts. I know from my own journey that incredible things can and do happen if we only want them badly enough.

My journey has been one of professional development as well as personal struggles. I struggled with drug abuse and a very destructive lifestyle hidden in the gay community for many years. I have been fortunate and blessed to survive that part of my life, and I work now with youths to provide options and support that I lacked in this community when I was their age. I have several years of experience as a special education teacher and work experience in residential group home settings for youths. I have a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in special education.