We are thrilled to announce our 2021 LGBTQ+ Pride Month Event Series, “Youth Voice, Youth Pride,” that will take place this June. We are committed to supporting and amplifying the voices of young artists and also recognize the importance of highlighting the voices of the LGBTQ+ community. “Youth Voice, Youth Pride” will feature an online film series and discussion, as well as a writing workshop, which will both be held virtually.

Film Showcase & Q&A
Watch the Films Now HERE
Watch the Pre-Recorded Q&A HERE

The online film showcase will be held on Tuesday, June 22, with a live discussion that will be streamed live on SAY Sí’s YouTube channel. The film series will feature three LGBTQ+ youth films created by SAY Sí alumni Carlo Rodriguez, Alejandro Peña and Yoomi Park. You can watch the films NOW before the livestreamed Q&A with the filmmakers at 6 p.m. that evening. Students will have the opportunity to ask SAY Sí alumni questions about their roles in the film industry, the inspiration behind their films and their experiences with the LGBTQ+ community. Summaries of each film can be found below. No registration necessary.

Featured films include:

PEDAZOS – Alejandro Peña

After a garish and violent ceremony, two lovers are thrown into a mysterious cave inhabited by flying creatures. A reflection on the beautifully loud dress of the ancients, a meltdown of repressed romance and a hyper vision of a fantastical world. PEDAZOS is a series of technical video-art experiments strung together by a narrative about restrained, intimate feelings between two friends.

Skye – Yoomi Park

Skye is a semi-autobiographical short film about a young teenage girl who starts to question her sexual orientation after yet another break up with a boy she didn’t feel too much for. The film follows Skye as she talks things out with her friends, has discussions with her church youth group, and even as she comes out to her mom through an email. The biggest hurdle for Skye is if and how she’ll ever tell her best friend that she is gay, and whether or not she’s ready for her reaction, good or bad.

Ty – Carlo Rodriguez

Ty was being homeschooled by Claudia when it was discovered that he had aspergers. Although hesitant, she was persuaded to let him experience his last year of high school. On Ty’s first day, he experiences ableist comments from both staff and classmates. However, Austin, a classmate, befriends him. As weeks pass, Ty and Austin become good friends, to a point where Austin invites Ty over, and kisses him. Ty is unable to process this, so he stays home for a couple of weeks in order to figure out his emotions. After a needed conversation with Claudia, he returns to school.

Documenting Joy Writing Workshop
June 29, 2021
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Open to youth ages 14-22

On Tuesday, June 29 from 6-8 p.m, SAY Sí will present a virtual writing workshop, “Documenting Joy,” with acclaimed poet and public speaker Yosimar Reyes. Open to youth 14-22 years of age, the two-hour virtual workshop will give participants an opportunity to take inventory of the rich cultures they come from and build narratives of strength. The goal is to honor the powerful legacies everyone comes from and envision futures in which each individual and collective thrives. Registration is required to participate and can be done so by visiting https://www.eventbrite.com/e/documenting-joy-a-pride-writing-workshop-with-yosimar-reyes-tickets-157707791249. 

Yosimar Reyes is a nationally-acclaimed poet and public speaker. Born in Guerrero, Mexico, and raised in Eastside San Jose, Reyes explores the themes of migration and sexuality in his work. Reyes was named one of “13 LGBT Latinos Changing the World” by The Advocate and Remezcla previously included Reyes on their list of “10 Up And Coming Latinx Poets You Need To Know.” His first collection of poetry, For Colored Boys Who Speak Softly…, was self-published after a collaboration with the legendary Carlos Santana. His work has also been published in various online journals and books including Mariposas: An Anthology of Queer Modern Latino Poetry (Floricanto Press), Queer in Aztlán: Chicano Male Recollections of Consciousness and Coming Out (Cognella Press), and the forthcoming Joto: An Anthology of Queer Xicano & Chicano Poetry (Kórima Press).

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