Organization: Y.O.U.T.H. Training Project

Ms. Aloha, as people like to call Wendy, was abandoned by her mother at age seven and endured years of abuse within the foster care system. She was finally placed with a family, but was forced to leave once they learned she was a lesbian. Through all of this, plus an unforeseen tragedy in her family, she’s kept a positive outlook on life, helping all of those around her and learning to thrive on her own.

When Remy’s foster mother found out he was gay, he turned to his trusted social worker for help. Unfortunately, his story ended up landing him in juvenile hall after he was arrested for a crime he didn’t even know he was committing. He was made to feel perverted and inhuman simply for having a consensual relationship with a younger boyfriend. With the help of advocates and friends, he has moved beyond the pain of this legal encounter and learned to affirm his own identity.

Nicky, the oldest child in a wealthy, traditional Asian family, was physically abused by her parents — and the abuse escalated after she came out to her family. Nicky’s parents cited Chinese tradition and Buddhist teachings to justify the beatings, but Nicky can see how their particular interpretations of cultural and religious traditions stem in part from their own history of abuse. When she was placed in a foster care facility, Nicky’s peers continued to abuse her, and her social workers did nothing to address this persistent bullying and harassment.

Kira, a male-to-female (MTF) transgender youth, tells the story of the importance of the "permanent connection" she made with an unlikely person -- her heterosexual independent living program (ILP) worker Jasyn. Shortly after they met, Jasyn left ILP but continued to play an important role in Kira’s life, inspiring Kira to be the best she can be and supporting Kira through her transition.

Kevin felt like a boy his whole life, although everyone else continually pressured him to be "normal" and act like a girl. He struggled to please the world around him, but was still teased at school for being different. Finally, he responded in violence and was arrested. It wasn’t until someone took the time to listen to him and look at his strengths that he got a new take on his life, and eventually was free to be the man he is today.

Severely neglected as a child, a medical miracle brought Keli back to life. She was in and out of foster care in Hawaii, continually abused, and eventually ended up back with her mother, to Keli’s despair. Her brother and her aunt, who also served as her mentors, became her support system as she struggled to heal from her past, and began the inner struggle of finding her identity as a lesbian.

Darryn was born into a broken family. Entering foster care gave him a chance to heal and to be free. He finally had control of his life and was getting much needed support and love from his foster mother. But when he fell in love with his best friend, he struggled with his own fears and misconceptions about homosexuality. Only after leaving foster care has he been able to fully come out to himself, his peers, and his former foster mother.

Danielle knew she was different from the time she was eleven. Her family knew she was a lesbian and rejected her before Danielle even knew what a lesbian was. When Danielle confides in her social worker about a violent experience at the hands of the 32-year-old daughter of her foster parents, she is met with skepticism, forcing her into silence. Alone, she quietly began to understand her identity as a lesbian until, finally, she received much-needed support and affirmation.

There is no simple label that Captain can use to describe himself, although those around him often feel compelled to find one. Captain was beaten by his aunt who believed he was “possessed by gender and sexuality demons.” In foster care, he was also pressured to define himself, but he refused to be so narrowly labeled. He simply and boldly lives as Captain.