At BAGLY, we have two teams of youth leaders: Youth Leadership Committee (YLC) and Health Education and Risk Reduction Team (HEARRT)!

Youth Leadership Committee

The Youth Leadership Committee (or as we call it, the YLC!) is our team of committed and passionate youth leaders. They provide vision and direction for all of our Boston-based programs including weekly Wednesday night meetings, annual program events, and youth advocacy initiatives. The YLC also organizes BAGLY’s participation in community events like Youth Pride, BAGLY Prom, and AIDS Walk Boston. The YLC is elected by BAGLY’s youth membership twice annually during elections held in January & July at our program space. 

Weekly YLC meetings are held on Wednesdays from 5pm to 6pm, and open to all BAGLY members (LGBTQ+ youth ages 22 and under).  Feel free to join us and see how we work!

For the most recent list of YLC members, click here.

CO-CHAIRS | 2 VOLUNTEER POSITIONS | 1 YEAR TERM | More Info

The two Co-Chairs lead and provide support for the YLC. They also set the agenda and facilitate weekly YLC meetings. Co-Chairs are also required to sit on BAGLY’s Board of Directors, attend Board and committee meetings as required/needed, and represent BAGLY at community events.

OUTREACH SPECIALIST | 1 PAID POSITION | 1 YEAR TERM

ALL YLC MEMBERS ARE REQUIRED TO:

  • Attend weekly Wednesday night programming

  • Attend BAGLY and community events such as MA Youth Pride.

  • Attend BAGLY trainings such as our annual Youth Leadership Retreat and monthly Youth Leader Huddles

  • Maintain and model BRAVE space framework when working, especially during discussions, meetings, etc.

  • Represent the youth of BAGLY in the greater community and at external events.

  • Perform additional duties or attend additional meetings as assigned/needed.

YLC Positions

AAPI MEETING FACILITATOR | 1 VOLUNTEER POSITION | 1 YEAR TERM

BIPOC MEETING FACILITATOR | 1 VOLUNTEER POSITION | 1 YEAR TERM

COMMUNITY EVENT PLANNER | 1 VOLUNTEER POSITION | 1 YEAR TERM

GIRLS ROOM FACILITATOR | 1 VOLUNTEER POSITION | 1 YEAR TERM

TRANS & NONBINARY MEETING FACILITATOR | 1 VOLUNTEER POSITION | 1 YEAR TERM

WELCOME MEETING FACILITATOR | 1 VOLUNTEER POSITION | 1 YEAR TERM

WOMEN’S MEETING FACILITATOR | 1 VOLUNTEER POSITION | 1 YEAR TERM

Health Education And Risk Reduction Team (HEARRT)

The Health Education And Risk Reduction Team (HEARRT) is BAGLY’s youth-led health promotion team! Our team of thoughtful, committed LGBTQ+ young people work to change negative health outcomes in our community with a particular focus on HIV prevention and sexual health. BAGLY’s model of health promotion team is replicated across the state through the AGLY network of Massachusetts.

HEARRT is available every Wednesday and at every BAGLY program event to distribute safer sex materials and information, provide referrals, and to answer any questions youth may have about all kinds of health related issues.

Want the HEARRTeam to outreach at your school/agency? Fees start at $50 depending upon size of organization and length of engagement. All fees support BAGLY’s programming and services for LGBTQ+ youth. Contact us to find out more.

Every 4th Wednesday of the month, the HEARRTeam offers health promotion workshops for LGBTQ+ youth at BAGLY’s Boston-based program space. Check out our calendar for more information.

HEARRT Leeaders:

COMMUNITY HEALTH ADVOCATE | 2 PAID POSITIONS | 1 YEAR TERM

PEER MENTAL WELLNESS ADVOCATE | 1 PAID POSITION | 1 YEAR TERM

TRANSGENDER HEALTH ADVOCATE | 1 PAID POSITION | 1 YEAR TERM

Stabilization and Success

BAGLY’s Host Homes is an innovative, holistic program to address LGBTQ+ youth homelessness in Massachusetts. Our Host Homes peer leaders will work to support houseless youth through programming, working with community partners, and assisting youth with their housing process. We are looking forward to working with youth who are passionate and can bring creativity to our new Host Homes program.

STABILIZATION AND SUCCESS PEER LEADER | 2 PAID POSITIONS | 1 YEAR TERM

Trainings

Youth Leadership Retreat

BAGLY’s Youth Leadership Retreats are intensive two-day learning experiences for the YLC and HEARRT Peer Leaders to build the knowledge, skills, and community they need to develop as leaders in the organization and to accomplish programmatic goals. The retreats also foster team building and a shared vision for BAGLY’s programs, now and into the future.

Youth Leadership Retreats are offered twice per year (usually in the Summer and Winter) and are typically held in retreat centers away from the city – like New Hampshire and Western Massachusetts! Contact us if you or an LGBTQ youth you know is interested in attending a BAGLY Youth Leadership Retreat. Space is limited and preference is given to YLC members, HEARRT peer leaders, and other youth leaders of BAGLY’s Boston-based programs.

Speakers Bureau

Members are also invited to attend Speakers Bureau Trainings. BAGLY Speakers Bureau is our longest continuously running program and the oldest and largest LGBTQ+ youth speakers bureau in the country. We work with schools, youth organizations, service providers, and foundations in order to increase their competencies around working with LGBTQ+ youth. Members of our program are highly skilled young LGBTQ+ public speakers who address their unique school, community, and family life experiences.