“Should students who identify as LGBTQ be identified from monitoring software, and potentially be disciplined or punished?”

During the pandemic, 15-year-old Desmond Napoles looked up the definition of sexuality out of personal interest on their school-issued tablet. The New York City sophomore did not realize at the time that school administrators and teachers could be alerted to the search. As schools increasingly monitor students’ online activities, LGBTQ students find themselves at particular risk.

The tracking can “out” queer students because the software can notify school officials or law enforcement officers of searches related to sexuality and other topics. And it can make it harder for LGBTQ students, in particular, to access sexual health information online.

"During the pandemic, 15-year-old Desmond Napoles looked up the definition of sexuality out of personal interest on their school-issued tablet. The New York City sophomore did not realize at the time that school administrators and teachers could be alerted to the search.

As schools increasingly monitor students’ online activities, LGBTQ students find themselves at particular risk. The tracking can “out” queer students because the software can notify school officials or law enforcement officers of searches related to sexuality and other topics. And it can make it harder for LGBTQ students, in particular, to access sexual health information online.

The increase in district-issued devices during the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated worries among some queer students, who now feel they are constantly watched by their schools at home and school."

Boca Recovery Center, is a free web resource and 24/7 helpline that provides free information about addiction, pregnancy, eating disorders, and mental health issues.

Substance use disorders affect 20 to 30 percent of the LGBTQ population, compared to 8.4 percent of the general population, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Although great strides have been made, it's impossible to ignore the stigma, stress, and discrimination that members of the LGBTQ+ community face when seeking substance abuse treatment.

To help share more information, Boca Recovery Center created a comprehensive guide about substance abuse in the LGBTQ+ community, including information like:

- Drug Trends in the LGBTQ+ community

- Gender-affirming treatment guidelines

- How to help an LGBTQ+ person cope with addiction and more.

I'm proud to announce the publication of a new article about my entrepreneurship and the creation of my business Be Amazing NYC at 15 years old.

This article is featured on Go Solo, a website dedicated to stories about solo entrepreneurs. In this article, I talk about my motivations for starting my business, the challenges I've faced along the way, and my advice for other young entrepreneurs. I hope my story will inspire other young people to pursue their dreams and show them that anything is possible with hard work and determination.

After finding out that my events at the New York Public Library reading to children and doing crafts had been cancelled, I was devastated.

The recent trend of attacking LGBTQ youth and family Pride events is alarming. This type of hate speech and violence is not only dangerous, but it also sends a message that this kind of behavior is acceptable. We must stand up against this trend and show that we will not tolerate this type of bigotry and hatred. We must stand together and show the world that love always wins.

My children's book, "Be Amazing: A History of Pride" was recommended for Pride Month by USA Today.

Reading queer affirming books to children during Pride Month is a great way to show them that everyone is equal and should be treated with respect. It helps teach them about inclusion and acceptance, and can also be a fun and enjoyable activity for both parents and kids alike. There are a variety of great queer affirming books available, so be sure to check some out and celebrate Pride with your children!

Interviewing with Tim Van Erp from Winq Magazine was a lot of fun. I was joined for the interview by my friend Jandora.

The importance of LGBTQ+ youth visibility and representation in the media cannot be understated. For many young people who identify as queer, the media is one of the few places where they can see themselves reflected back. This representation is crucial for their sense of self-worth and validation. It also provides them with role models and examples of what is possible in their lives. For too long, LGBTQ+ youth have been invisible in the media.

It was a pleasure spending some time with some great kids in Westport, Connecticut during Pride month.

Reading queer affirming books to children during Pride month is a great way to celebrate diversity and show support for the LGBTQIA+ community. It is also a great opportunity to teach children about different families and relationships. These books can help children feel proud of who they are and show them that it is okay to be different.

I was honored to be named on DapperQ's Top 100 Stylish DapperQs of 2022.

Queer style is all about self-expression and making a statement. For the LGBTQ community, fashion is a way to show the world who they are and to feel proud of their identity. Representation in fashion is important for visibility and empowerment. When queer people see themselves represented in fashion, it can help them feel validated and included. Diversity in fashion is a step towards equality, and it is important to celebrate queer style in all its forms.