YES

Are you familiar with the evolution of the Pride Flag? There have been many versions of the flag over the years. The original one was first seen in 1978, containing 8 colors, each representing different things. Hot pink represents seggs, red symbolizes life, orange symbolizes healing, yellow symbolizes sunlight, green symbolizes nature, turquoise symbolizes magic and art, indigo symbolizes serenity, and violet symbolizes the spirit of the LGBTQ+ people. This flag became very popular, and some colors became more difficult to manufacture, resulting in the removal of the hot pink and turquoise stripes. This produced the traditional pride flag we see a lot still today. In 2017, Philadelphia added the black and brown stripes to symbolize the communities of color who contributed to the movement. Shortly after this, we saw the Progress Pride Flag become the new popular flag to be used. This flag, created by Daniel Quaser, added the white, pink, and light blue stripes to represent the Trans community. In this version of the flag, the black stripe honors both communities of color and the lives lost during the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Today, our most up-to-date flag includes all of these components, plus the yellow triangle and purple circle that symbolizes the Inters*x community. This flag was first flown in 2021, created by Valentino Vecchietti of Inters*x Equality Rights UK.

[id: This post contains 3 slides. Slide 1 is light blue, with bold black text in the top center of the screen that reads, “Pride Flag: Then and Now." Under this text is the original Gilbert Baker Pride Flag, displaying 8 colors stacked vertically on top of each other. These colors are hot pink, red, orange, yellow, green, turquoise, indigo, and violet. Under this flag is the year ‘1978’, in which this flag was created. Under this image is an image of the most up-to-date Pride Flag. This flag shows 6 colors stacked vertically atop each other: red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet. On the left side of this flag is a triangle symbol with different colored stripes. It showcases a yellow triangle with a purple circle in it. Following this, from left to right are the following colors: white, pink, light blue, brown and black. Under this flag in black text is the text ‘2021’, the year this flag was created. Slide 2 - another light blue slide, with “Gilbert Baker Pride Flag” in bold black text at the top center of the screen. Underneath this text is an image of the Gilbert Baker Pride Flag depicted on Slide 1. The text underneath this image reads, “This flag was created by Gilbert Baker in 1978 to symbolize gay pride. Each color represents a different value. The traditional pride flag that followed this one and is still widely used today, was in response to high demand and manufacturing issues." Slide 3 - a light blue slide with bold black text at the top center of the screen reading, “Inters*x Inclusive Progress Pride Flag”. Under this text is an image of that flag described from Slide 1. Below this image is text that reads “First flown in 2021, is the most up-to-date adaptation of the LGBTQ+ Flag, created by Valentino Vecchietta. This flag came after the Progress Pride Flag, which includes the white, pink and light blue stripes to represent the Trans community, as well as the black and brown stripes to represent communities of color and the individuals lost during the HIV/AIDS crisis. This Inters*x-Inclusive Progress Pride Flag includes all of these, plus the new additions to it to represent the Inters*x Community."]

We're hiring facilitators on a contractor basis! Applications are due on July 3.

ABOUT THE POSITION:
We are hiring facilitators as independent contractors for the 2026-2027 school year, with the possibility of extending after that period. Once someone is in our facilitator pool, they will be notified of opportunities to facilitate workshops as requests come in. Facilitators usually facilitate between 2-10 workshops per month, depending on the requests we receive from our community partners (we cannot guarantee any specific amount of work at this time).

We work with many different kinds of community partners, including preschools, elementary, middle, and high schools, colleges and universities, after-school programs, and more. Workshops will largely be in-person.

Facilitators are also able to sign up for other kinds of tasks and projects as they have capacity, including grant writing, lesson planning, social media content creation, and other kinds of tasks.

Facilitators are supervised by the Executive Director.

We will prioritize candidates who share lived experience with our student populations.

PAY:
We pay facilitators a flat fee per workshop, including prep and teaching time. For additional hours, including training, supervision, and other administrative tasks, we pay $28/hour. We provide supplies (or reimburse when needed). We reimburse for travel costs.

Workshop Fees:
Typical workshop: $250
Workshop at least an hour away: $300
Workshop that involves an overnight stay: $350

MORE INFO ON QUALIFICATIONS, ACCESSIBILITY, AND MORE are available in the application!

📋 Apply in our linktree or here https://forms.gle/QXmrDzS3YE3s5EFD9 🖋️

[id: a dark purple slide with orange waves. Orange text reads, "want to facilitate for YES!? Applications due July 3"]

Do you have your Library Card? It’s extremely easy to get one, and it supports a great cause. Libraries have been under attack, facing potential cuts of funding. The more people who sign up for their library and utilize its resources, the more it shows how much they are needed and valued. The Free Library of Philadelphia makes signing up easy: you can do it all online at their website! They have plenty of LGBTQ+ events going on during this Pride Month, and a list of resources, both of which can be found in their “Celebrate Pride Month at the Library” section. Whether you’re looking to find LGBTQ+ reads, attend events, connect with others, or gather resources, the library is a great place to do it.

[id: On a single dark purple slide, there is a light orange banner that reads, in bold, black text, “Do you have your library card? Pride Month is a great time to get it!” Below this banner is a flow chart in the same color. This chart contains bold, black text that reads: “The Free Library of Philadelphia has several events this Pride Month across different locations, as well as an extensive list of resources. Register online or at your local Philadelphia Library today!" Under this flow chart, in the bottom left corner, is the Free Library of Philadelphia Logo. In the bottom right corner, there is an animated image of a stack of books in different colors.]

We wanted to give a special shoutout to The Attic Youth Center (The Attic Youth Center)! The Attic Youth Center is a youth organization based in Philadelphia that provides programming, resources, and support for LGBTQ youth.

Organizations that promote LGBTQ acceptance and belonging, especially for younger people who may be facing isolation, discrimination, or other barriers to support, are increasingly important nowadays. Everyone deserves access to community and resources that respect and affirm their identity.

As we celebrate Pride Month, please consider supporting organizations that invest in LGBTQ youth. Whether through donations, volunteering, or sharing their work, every form of support strengthens the impact that these organizations have on others. 🌈

[id: a white and rainbow background with the Attic Youth Center logo in the top left corner. Bold text below reads, "'The Attic Youth Center creates opportunities for LGBTQ youth to develop into healthy, independent, civic-minded adults within a safe and supportive community and promotes the acceptance of LGBTQ youth in society.' www.atticyouthcenter.org; Support LGBTQ+ Youth!"]

This weekend, June 6th, was our 2026 YES! retreat! Here are some of our favorite pictures captured during the day!

[id: Slide 1 - A group of 19 people made up of our members and volunteers. They are standing outside of a building at Bartram’s Garden in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Slide 2 - A photo of a person writing on a poster that reads “Share appreciations for other YES! team members!” The page does not yet have much written on it. Slide 3 - A photo of the same poster, but this time it is filled with messages of appreciation. Some things noted here are giving thanks to different board members such as Leah, Alexandra, Aaron, Lili, Mariana, Claudia, Maisie, Sarah, Ha, and Meagan. Slide 4 - A collage of three pictures. The top photo shows 5 people from the YES! team standing inside near chairs with double doors. They are about to hold a relay activity. The second image shows a member writing on a poster that contains a chart for “Financial Growth/Sustainability”. The chart is split into two sections: “What is YES! doing really well?” and “What could YES! be doing better?” The bottom picture is a general image of the team enjoying breakfast and getting to know each other. Slide 5 - two outdoor photos. The image at the top shows 11 people in a circle enjoying their lunch on the lawn. The bottom image shows ten people on a picnic blanket on the lawn enjoying their lunch at the retreat. Slide 6 - three images. These images are different angles of a poster reading “What are some highlights of being of the YES! team for the past year?” The top image has two people writing on it, with a third standing off to the side. The second image on the bottom left of the slide shows an unblocked view of the poster with multiple experiences listed. Some are as follows: "Consent fest, the people we get to meet and work with, YES!’s 10th birthday party, being able to stay true to your values, NSEC, and teambuilding, the events we do, and getting to work with schools." The third image at the bottom right of the slide contains the same poster with one individual writing, and another individual looking at the poster.]

We're so grateful to for organizing this event benefiting YES!

Come to Pentridge Station on June 26 from 5-11pm for food, art, and open mic, and support seggs ed in your community at the same time!

[id: A blue graphic. In the upper left corner is a graphic of a face mask with text, "masks encouraged & provided." More text reads, "Friday June 26 5pm - 11pm @ pentridge station, 5116 pentridge street." Large, lighter blue text in the middle reads, "Crybaby's Night Out: a night market for crybabies and our loved ones." More text reads, "$5-10 suggested donation at the door; NOTAFLOF. Funds support YES! Your Empowered Sexuality!" In the bottom left corner, bullet points read, "Em Wilson pastries; art market; open mic; and more!" is on the bottom of the graphic, with a teadrop logo on the bottom right corner.]

"Think you know your Pride flags? Test your knowledge and let us know how you did!

[id: Slide 1 - A rainbow ombre background that is present in every slide. Black arched text reads, "Do you know your Pride flags? Test your knowledge!" with the Inters*x-Inclusive Progress Pride flag in the center. Slide 2 - Black text reads, "Which flag is this?" with a flag with seven horizontal stripes below. Colors transitions from cool greens and teals through white and into shades of blue and purple. Slide 3 - Black text reads, "Gay man flag! est. 2019" with the same flag below. Slide 4 - Black text reads, "Which flag is this?" with a flag with three stripes below. The colors are lavender, white, and green. Slide 5 - Black text reads, "Genderq***r flag! est. 2011" with the same flag below. Slide 6 - Black text reads, "Which flag is this?" with a flag with three stripes below. The colors are blue, red, and black, with a yellow pi symbol in the center of the red stripe. Slide 7 - Black text reads, "Polyamory flag! est. 1995" with the same flag below. Slide 8 - Black text reads, "Which flag is this?" with a flag with three vertical stripes and a black triangle on the left side. The stripes are white, purple, and grey. Slide 9 - Black text reads, "Demis*xual flag! est. 2010" with the same flag below. Slide 10 - Black arched text reads, "How many did you get correct? Comment below!" with the Philadelphia Pride flag in the center.]

Celebrate q***r disability Pride with the Institute on Disabilities (IOD) Health Sexuality Project and WELL.YES Philly at the Pride Social! This FREE event will be at the TechOWL Community Space at 1392 Cecil B Moore Avenue (Philly) on June 24th, starting at 4:00 PM. RSVP using the link in our website!

Questions? Email: [email protected].

[id: A graphic of a group of disabled people in a row on a mint green background. Text, some in rainbow colors, reads, "Towards Full Access: A Q***r Disability Pride Social. Wednesday, June 24. 4-7 pm. TechOWL Community Space. Questions? [email protected]." Logos for the Institute on Disabilities and Well.YES Philly are in the bottom corners.]

***rDisabilityPride

We're excited to be joining our friends at for their Under the Stars Film Festival! We'll be tabling at this Friday's program, come say hi!!

🌳 Every year, when the weather is *just* right, cinéSPEAK’s Under the Stars Film Festival brings audiences together for magical evenings of outdoor cinema at one of Philadelphia’s most beloved green spaces—West Philly’s historic Clark Park. We can’t wait to see you there!

❤️‍🔥 This year’s theme, community resilience, centers the ways individuals and collectives come together to resist, adapt, and care for one another in the face of systemic challenges. Across each program, the selected films highlight stories of grassroots organizing, cultural preservation, and everyday acts of survival and solidarity. Together, these works illuminate how resilience is not just about endurance, but about building alternative futures rooted in justice, creativity, and collective power.

🗓️ Friday June 12

⏰ Event Flow:
—7 PM: Community gathering with special musical guests! Come with chairs, blankets, friends, and enthusiasm to celebrate with your local community.
—9 PM: Film screenings!

🎥 Niñxs (dir. ) *Pennsylvania Premiere*
🎶 Musical Guest: DJ .

Get tickets: https://cinespeak.eventive.org/schedule/69d7dad11016b1a7f4c13cf3

[id: film poster for Niñxs featuring two people lying sideways on a bed and smiling. Text reads, "June 12, Niñxs, Pennsylvania Premiere, Cinespeak Under the Stars 2026." The Cinespeak logo is in the bottom left corner.]

Students at the Academy at Palumbo High School invited YES! to table at their event, “Love Shouldn’t Hurt: Consent Carnival," an event meant to “spread awareness and be a safe space to allow the reduction of stigma around s*xual education and domestic violence.”

Students were eager to answer the question, “What is one of your boundaries?” Check out all of the different ways they are thinking about boundaries!

We love when young people themselves invite us to chat with them about seggs ed and consent!

[id: Slide 1 - A video of a piece of poster paper with the question, “What is one of your boundaries?” and different colored note-cards taped with answers such as, “no means no,” “silence doesn’t mean yes,” “don’t joke about sensitive topics.” Slide 2 - A trifold poster with the title, “Palumbo’s Sexual Education Project” and a list of problems youth have identified regarding s*x education in schools, a description of their project, and action steps they have taken. A QR code is in the bottom right corner, leading to the Instagram, .]