ABOUT US
Queer Youth in Action
Passion. Experience. Celebration.
Queer Youth in Action was founded because, as athletes and educators, we saw first hand how LGTBQ2S+ athletes need more comprehensive support from adults and environments to truly thrive — and how, when organizations begin advocating for queer and trans inclusivity, all youth benefit intersectionally. We work to advocate for all youth — if queer and trans youth are supported, everyone will be supported!
Among many organizations, Queer Youth in Action has supported athletes through our work with US Youth Soccer, San Francisco Youth Soccer, Washington Youth Soccer Association, AYSO, Girls Inc PNW, and Access Youth Academy. We also advocate for queer and trans youth through our work with school districts all over the country, including NYCPS, LAUSD, Seattle PS, and additional districts throughout the entirety of Southern California; we have also partnered with colleges and universities to provide a variety of training and community spaces, including Safe Space Certification.
We create all of our culturally competent, trauma-informed programming with insight from health and wellness experts, and we work with broader organizations that are leaders in DEIJ practices and content.
Our goal is to help you create learning spaces that encourage celebration and belonging for all youth.
Meet our Founder and Executive Director, Jude Moore. Jude has a decade of experience in classroom teaching, leadership, and professional development in middle and high schools in New York City, Los Angeles, and Seattle. Moving on from primarily classroom spaces, Jude designed and directed Community Outreach for a non-profit that supports queer and trans youth throughout Southern California. With this professional passion, along with her experience as an elite queer athlete playing soccer, she was inspired to found QYA to help create learning and exploratory spaces — in sport and school — that were what she needed when she was younger.
Jude lives with their wife and border collie in Long Beach, CA.
Jude Moore, Founder and Executive Director
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Leo Wytkind, Program Manager - Community Outreach
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Meet Leo Wytkind, Program Manager of Outreach at QYA. Leo has experience working as an educator in Washington, DC, as well as experience working on program and research initiatives at disability justice and LGBTQ+ rights organizations in DC and beyond. Additionally, they played Division III college soccer and are dedicated to creating spaces where soccer is accessible and welcoming for all.