Branching Seedz of Resistance

Branching Seedz of Resistance, an LGBTQ youth driven project of the Colorado Anti-Violence Program, works to prevent sexual violence, dating violence, and bullying through community organizing that addresses the root causes of violence, build a base of empowered, committed, skilled LGBTQ youth leaders. Through Branching Seedz LGBTQ young people gain skills to amplify their voices and have a creative and empowering outlet to the struggles the face day in and day out. With documentaries, storytelling, leadership development, direct action and other tools youth members are preventing violence while creating communities of healthy sexualities and empowered young people. We believe in organizing using a strength based approach. Rather than focusing on the issues LGBTQ youth face, we build on the strengths and power that already exist. By building confidence and a powerful voice, we are combating bullying. By providing relevant sexual health education we are combating dating violence. Branching Seedz is led by youth at all levels of the project, from vision to implementation, and young people are engaged as decision makers at all levels of the organization including staff, board and volunteers. This is the first violence prevention project in Colorado to center the experiences and leadership of LGBTQ youth and the first violence prevention project to use community organizing as a strategy. Branching Seedz is one of few projects in the nation that goes beyond survivor support or service provision, using creative means to address root causes of violence. We continue to adapt and disseminate an LGBTQ youth organizing model that can be translated and used in other communities to build and strengthen a youth led movement. There is especially a need for a model that is relevant and effective for groups organizing outside of major coastal cities. Branching Seedz of Resistance sees itself as a part of a larger, national movement for social justice and believes in order to be effective we must connect locally, regionally and nationally. Through organizing for statewide and nationwide summits and conferences Branching Seedz helps break isolation and share valuable ideas, resources, and strategies. Branching Seedz is also unique in that is continues to strengthen working collaborations with other projects from Latina, immigrant, people of color, and working class communities. We understand that liberation requires the abolition of all forms of oppression and a renewed commitment to the creation and maintenance of strong, healthy, vibrant individuals, communities, and cultures