Earlier today, three activists hit the road with backpacks. Their mission? A 6,000 mile journey through the United States to give voice to homeless LGBTQ youth, and raise awareness about the tragic prevalence of homelessness among Queer youth in America. Chloe Michelle Noble, Jill Hardman, and Nicole Tomlin will travel for 6 to 9 months, starting in Seattle and venturing through major US cities from coast to coast. The group of three will live out of their backpacks and document their trek through photos, video, and blog updates. Every major city they walk through will host a media event known as Operation Shine to increase public visibility around the issues facing homeless Queer youth.
Their project is called the Homeless Youth Pride Walk 2009.
Yesterday, I had a chance to chat with Chloe Michelle Noble about her upcoming journey. Here's what Chloe had to say:
What are you looking forward to about this trip?
What I'm looking forward to more than anything is giving youth the opportunity to shine together. I want this trip to help unify youth nationwide.
Are you nervous about sleeping outside and living out of your backpack?
Yes. It can be very dangerous in the inner cities and walking sometimes 4-5 days
along the highway without anything near by.
What will you do to entertain yourselves on the walk?
We're excited about the media events that will take place in cities across the country. We don't have much money, but we'd like to check out the coastlines and different city sights that we don't get to see in Utah. We'll also be hosting sit-ins, which should be a lot of fun. At the sit-ins we'll have speakers, entertainment, food, art projects and lots of fun stuff going on.
What about food?
We have boxes of supplies with basic rations being sent by general delivery. We'll be living on beans and rice and other basic foods that we will pick up every month. We have some basic survival tools—like a cookstove—with minimalist backpacks and tents. We will be living out of our backpacks during the trip.
How have your family and friends reacted to this trip?
It's been a little bit different for all of us. Nicole's family is very accepting and supportive. Our friends and communities have been extremely supportive, but it has been a bit harder for our families. As the three of us walk across the country and broaden our perspectives, the trip will also help our families broaden theirs. Our trip will give others a chance to take a look at things bigger than their families and bigger than their local communities.
Going to coast to coast telling our stories will help the coastline communities to take a look at what's going on in the small towns and vice versa. This will give cities, towns, and regions the chance to learn from each other and grow by leaps and bounds. We all have a lot to learn. We want to shine a light on all of the good work people are doing across the country.
What do you plan to do after the walk?
We have started a non profit (youth organization) called Noble Echoes Foundation. We plan to produce public service announcements with LGBTQ youth in the Utah area, using the footage we bring back from our walk. These PSA's will launch a multi-media web site that Queer youth can use to express themselves and empower others through personal, local, national, and international activism. It is our intention to unify LGBTQ youth through artistic expression, and to teach them how to become mutual mentors in a process of self-awareness and collective healing.
Thank you, Chloe.
Three ways YOU can take action to support this cause:
1. Post a link to the Homeless Youth Pride Walk 2009 on your blog, website, Facebook, Twitter, or other social networking channel.
2. Follow the website and "virtually walk with them."
3. Attend Operation Shine. Check the website for updates on Operation Shine events in your region.
Major props to Chloe, Nicole, Jill, and Matt for taking action to address this dire social issue. Thanks to everyone who has already shown support for this incredible group, and pre-thanks to those who will lend support along the way.
Homeless Youth Pride Walk, 2009
Posted by:
trinachi
on May 08, 2009 at 01:10 PM
trinachi
on May 08, 2009 at 01:10 PM
"Almost 40% of homeless youth in America identify as LGBTQ. This diverse group of Queer youth has a profound and powerful voice. We want to support them in their progress and give them a platform to stand on."
—Chloe Michelle Noble, founder of the Noble Echoes Foundation
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Comments (18)
I am very excited about getting involved.This is awesome!namaste and much love,xo,Jenni
This is an amazing cause, and I'm glad that this walk is raising awareness. Keep up the great work! I will be following your updates.
Thank you Jenny. : ) Also take a look at our YouTube page under the channel name: Operation Shine. We will be putting up more footage as we have time to. Thank you for following Homeless Youth Pride Walk 2009. We need more youth activists like you making a difference. Thank you for joining the cause to raise awareness.- Thank you Jenny. : ) Also take a look at our YouTube page under the channel name: Operation Shine. We will be putting up more footage as we have time to. Thank you for following Homeless Youth Pride Walk 2009. We need more youth activists like you making a difference. Thank you for joining the cause to raise awareness.
- Thank you Jenny. : ) Also take a look at our YouTube page under the channel name: Operation Shine. We will be putting up more footage as we have time to. Thank you for following Homeless Youth Pride Walk 2009. We need more youth activists like you making a difference. Thank you for joining the cause to raise awareness.
- Thank you Jenny. : ) Also take a look at our YouTube page under the channel name: Operation Shine. We will be putting up more footage as we have time to. Thank you for following Homeless Youth Pride Walk 2009. We need more youth activists like you making a difference. Thank you for joining the cause to raise awareness.
Thank you for your comments. I keep you in my prayers each day. Let me know when you get near the City so we can connect. river 415-3-5-2124- We will be calling you soon River Sims. We will arrive in San Fran within the next two weeks. Meeting you and speaking with you on these issues would be an honor. The San Francisco Shine is on July 10th. Please email me and we can get you and any organizations you are affiliated with connected to the San Francisco team! noble.echo@gmail.com
what an inspiring project.
i had fun reading it :) :)
byeee.- Thank you Annie! We appreciate your support and kind words. You can also check out our youtube channel under the name: Operation Shine.
- reallyyy exciting :) really touched me :) LOL!
- Thank you for your comments Gemma. There are over 1.3 million homeless youth in America. 13 of them die every day from the conditions they are forced to live in. Many homeless youth struggle with social barriers which prevent them from making a safe and clean transition into adulthood. I encourage you to research this subject or better yet live among them for 30 days without the privileges most of us have. I would like to see your comments after you experience these things firsthand.
This is a really inspiring project. I wish I were going to be living in the continental US to meet Chloe, Jill and Nicole in person, but I'll definitely be following the blog.- Thank you Gilliebean! : ) We would love to meet you in person as well and talk more about these issues facing the youth of America. Check out our youtube channel under the name: Operation Shine. And please email me if you wish. noble.echo@gmail.com
- thanks, will look up, and when you come through the City, call me. 415-305-2124. river
Very cool. Have you ever heard of Teen Living Program in Chicago? It's a great program for homeless teens that you should check out.- Thanks for the info Ethan. We will put them on our list to build a Chicago team. Please email me and we will send you our press releases. noble.echo@gmail.com
- give me a call when you get to san francisco, 415-305-2124. i work with homeless queer kids, love to meet you and buy you dinner. river sims
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