SMYAL is a Washington DC-based LGBTQ youth advocacy organization founded in 1984.
(Washington Blade Photos: Michael Key, Doug Hinkle, Christy Gasaway, Yevin Yam, Clint Stave, Jonathan Ellis, Pete Exis, Erin Weber and Drew Brown)
SMYAL officials pose with SMYAL youth on March 19, 1988. (Washington Blade archive photo by Doug Hinkle)Peer counselors receive training for the SMYAL Youth Hotline on Nov. 16, 1988. (Washington Blade archival photo by Doug Hinkle)SMYAL Prom was held on May 9, 1992. (Washington Blade archive photo by Kevin Yam)A group of SMYAL and PFLAG speakers met at the SMYAL Drop-In Center in 1994. (Washington Blade Archive photo by Christy Gasaway)A group of young people attend a SMYAL meeting on April 12, 1995. (Washington Blade archive photo by Clint Staib)SMYAL members and staff participated in an action alongside PFLAG in downtown Washington DC in 1997. The actor is pictured bottom right. Wilson Cruz From My So Called Life (Photo by Michael Key)SMYAL youth march in the Capital Pride Parade in 2003. (Washington Blade archive photo by Luis Gomez)Activist Judy ShepardPictured right, he speaks at a reception with supporters before SMYAL’s fall brunch in 2009. (Washington Blade archive photo by Michael Key)SMYAL youth and staff participate in the 2010 Capital Pride Parade (Washington Blade Archive photo by Erin Weber)Youth speakers from SMYAL spoke at an anti-bullying rally in front of the Wilson Building on April 21, 2011. (Washington Blade archive photo by Michael Key)SMYAL set up an information table at Youth Pride in Dupont Circle in 2011. (Washington Blade archive photo by Pete Exis)A beloved journalist Wendy Rieger She has served as emcee at many SMYAL fall brunches, and here she is pictured speaking at a brunch in 2012. (Washington Blade archive photo by Jonathan Ellis)The then Secretary General of SMYAL Andrew BarnettAt left, the new SMYAL logo and “rebranding” is unveiled at a rally in 2013. (Washington Blade archive photo by Michael Key)SMYAL youth and staff attend the 2016 Youth Pride Festival in Dupont Circle. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)Youth leaders met with the Washington Blade in the “backyard” of the SMYAL Drop-In Center on October 21, 2016. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)Activist couple Sean Doolittle (Washington Nationals star) Ireland Doran Attending SMYAL’s 35th anniversary event in 2019. (Washington Blade file photo by Drew Brown)SMYAL youth, staff and supporters take part in the 2023 Capital Pride Parade. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)Attendees bid on items during the silent auction at SMYAL Fall Brunch 2023. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)
