Hetrick-Martin Institute

The Hetrick-Martin Institute (HMI) is a U.S. nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) youth between the ages of 13 and 24, and their families. It is renowned as the nation's oldest organization providing comprehensive services to LGBTQIA+ youth.

History

HMI was founded in 1979 as the Institute for the Protection of Lesbian and Gay Youth (IPLGY) by life partners Dr. Emery Hetrick, a psychiatrist, and Dr. A. Damien Martin, a professor at New York University. They were inspired to act after hearing about a homeless 15-year-old gay youth who was beaten and rejected from an emergency shelter due to his sexual orientation. In 1988, the organization was renamed in honor of its founders.

Services and Programs

HMI offers a wide range of services, including community, basic needs support, health services, education, and career development programs. It advocates for policies that ensure safe and inclusive environments for LGBTQIA+ youth in schools and workplaces. A key component of HMI's mission is providing emotional and physical safety for transgender and gender-liberated youth, promoting their economic and educational opportunities.

Notable Initiatives

One of HMI's most notable initiatives is the Harvey Milk High School, which was established in 1985 as the first high school in the United States to cater specifically to LGBTQ students. Initially managed by HMI, the school became a fully accredited public school managed by the New York Department of Education by 2002/3. HMI also hosts the Center for LGBTQIA+ Youth Advocacy and Capacity Building, which works on local, national, and international policy advocacy and capacity building for organizations serving LGBTQIA+ youth.

Expansion and Impact

In addition to its New York operations, HMI expanded its services to New Jersey with the launch of HMI: Newark in 2011. This program has since grown to serve four counties in New Jersey, renamed HMI: New Jersey. HMI engages thousands of young people each year, providing them with essential services to build a more positive future. Through its partnerships and community engagement, HMI contributes significantly to fostering an inclusive society and empowering LGBTQIA+ youth to achieve their full potential.

[1] https://hmi.org/about/ [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hetrick-Martin_Institute [3] https://www.nyclgbtsites.org/site/institute-for-the-protection-of-lesbian-and-gay-youth-iplgy/ [4] https://www.rbccm.com/en/citizenship/story.page?dcr=templatedata%2Farticle%2Fcitizenship%2Fdata%2F2021%2F06%2Fsupporting_the_hetrick-martin_institutes_mission_to_provide_safe_havens_for_lgbtq_youth [5] https://hmi.org/get-involved/