Scott is a member of the International Youth Leadership Council. 

Hey, I’m Scott.  I’m 22 and I attend the University of Maryland (UMD) where I’m getting two degrees: one in English Literature and the other in Family Sciences.  I’m also getting a certificate in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies.  Aside from classes, I’m active in a few student organizations.  I’m the Office Administrator for the Pride Alliance, UMD’s LGBTQ organization.  As part of this, I am part of the United Advocacy Council which is dedicated to multicultural involvement and social justice issues.  I’m also a trip leader in the Alternative Spring Break Program which does short-term immersion trips involving social justice issues.  For fun I DJ at the campus radio station WMUC.  I’m also active at my church, Holy Cross Lutheran, where I am part of the music and education ministries.  Oh yeah, and I also work two jobs.

Most of my activism branched from my own personal struggles.  When I came out my freshman year of college I started becoming more interested in the politics surrounding my sexuality.  I didn’t do much about it until my junior year when I decided to start pursuing a certificate in LGBT Studies.  Taking classes and thinking critically about how my sexuality and gender affects my experience as a person made me become an activist.  The cause that is closest to my heart is HIV/AIDS education, prevention and treatment.  I felt drawn to this because of my inherited cultural history.  The AIDS epidemic decimated the gay population.  Not only were great thinkers and activists struck down, but others were prevented from realizing their potential because of AIDS and the related AIDS-phobia.  I also participated in an investigational HIV vaccine trial with the NIH so now my blood tests false positive for HIV.  It opened my eyes to what living with HIV can be like.  For my first tattoo, I got an AIDS ribbon in the shape of a heart over my heart; so literally, it’s close to my heart.  This past spring break I participated in an alternative spring break program where we witnessed what it was like to live with AIDS without the means to care for oneself.  It was a gut-wrenching and transformative experience to say the least.  I wanted so much to cure them and make everything better, but I knew that there was nothing I could do to make them better.  They are going to die from AIDS; it was just a matter of months or possibly years before they were going to do so.

My true passion is working with youth.  Being a Sunday school teacher for a group of high schoolers has opened my eyes to how much we underestimate our youth.  The students I teach are 4-8 years younger than me, but their experience is remarkably different than mine.  I think this age group is extremely crucial to educate about safer sexual practices as well as social justice issues.  If we can plant the spark young, there will be more time that the fiery passion can burn, and the more changes they can make.  If we empower young people we instill a sense of confidence and responsibility that carries on for the rest of their life.  For a career, I would love to do something involved with LGBTQ youth and their sexual health.  

Currently I’m working on developing an alternative spring break trip involving sex work and sexual health in urban populations.  I’m excited to expose other college students to what sex work is and maybe change some attitudes. I’m also in the process of applying to Peace Corps.  I hope to spend two years working in Latin American working with HIV/AIDS-related projects.  I also want to do a masters degree in sexuality eventually.  I’m excited to be a member of the International Youth Leadership Council this year.  Most of my advocacy and activism has been at the grassroots level and I’m anxious to start working on the public policy level.  I feel like Advocates for Youth is a vital organization to be a voice for youth who cannot always speak for themselves.