Hetrick-Martin Institute believes all young people, regardless of sexual orientation or identity, deserve a safe and supportive environment in which to achieve their full potential.
Hetrick-Martin creates this environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth between the ages of 13 and 24 and their families.
Through a comprehensive package of direct services and referrals, Hetrick-Martin seeks to foster healthy youth development. Hetrick-Martin’s staff promotes excellence in the delivery of youth services and uses its expertise to create innovative programs that other organizations may use as models.
We Take Pride in Our History
We’re proud to be the nation’s oldest and largest organization helping gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth to reach their full potential.
In 1979, life partners and educators on gay and lesbian issues, Dr. Emery Hetrick, a psychiatrist, and Dr. Damien Martin, a professor at New York University, heard the heartbreaking story of a homeless 15-year-old boy who had been beaten and thrown out of his emergency shelter because he was gay.
They were so moved that they gathered a group of concerned adults and created what was then called the Institute for the Protection of Lesbian and Gay Youth (IPLGY) to assist this group of young people who desperately needed support. In 1988, the organization was renamed Hetrick-Martin Institute in honor of its founders and their lifelong commitment to service.
We are Proud of Our Progress
Created in 2013, HMI’s Center for LGBTQ Youth Advocacy and Capacity Building, advocates on behalf of LGBTQ youth by influencing policy on local, national and international levels, while helping to build the capacity of decision-makers, individuals and institutions that serve this marginalized population. MORE
HMI is the host agency for the groundbreaking Harvey Milk High School, devoted to serving at-risk youth and founded in 1985 in collaboration with the New York City Department of Education, which administers the school and is responsible for admissions. MORE
As HMI continues to expand nationally, HMI: New Jersey serves as our first direct service site outside of the HMI headquarters in New York City. HMI: New Jersey is the first comprehensive LGBTQ youth out-of-school time program in New Jersey dedicated to providing youth who are at-risk of harassment, abuse, neglect, homelessness and disconnection with a safe, supportive environment in which to grow and thrive. MORE
We Believe in Our Youth
Education
HMI believes LGBTQ youth should have the opportunity to learn in an inclusive and affirming environment.
HMI believes LGBTQ youth should have access to quality education.
HMI believes all school personnel should be actively encouraged and enabled to practice cultural fluency in creating inclusive and affirming school environments for LGBTQ students.
All schools should have anti-discrimination policies that support youth in celebrating their most authentic selves and protecting LGBTQ youth in schools from bullying, harassment and violence. The sexual harassment law is very clear on how people should not put up with any type of harassment no matter their gender.
Healthcare
HMI believes LGBTQ youth should have access to comprehensive healthcare.
HMI supports policies and practices that increase and guarantee access to healthcare for LGBTQ youth.
HMI believes part of healthy adolescent development is access to inclusive comprehensive sexual health education.
Many LGBTQ young adults are exploring their sexuality and often try to learn a new way to achieve this. HMI believes that with proper sex education they can better understand their bodies and their limits and explore themselves safely.
Mental Health
HMI believes youth service providers should utilize the studies of trauma-informed care, emotional wellness, and positive youth development in serving their communities.
HMI believes all systems, policies, and organizations should be curated to make sure LGBTQ youth feel safe and included.
HMI believes that reparative therapy is harmful, and laws should be in place to protect minors from the negative impacts of these practices.
LGBTQ youth should have access to emotional wellness services that are affirming of LGBTQ communities.
Homelessness
HMI believes homelessness is a byproduct of systemic discrimination, rejection and isolation.
HMI believes all youth should have access to safe spaces to sleep.
HMI believes all homeless shelters should have cultural fluency in serving LGBTQ youth.
HMI believes that when safe to do so, families should be supported and encouraged to have their child(ren) remain in the house.
Economic Empowerment
HMI believes all youth should have access to opportunities for academic and career success.
HMI encourages and supports all policies and laws that support and protect LGBTQ youth employment.
HMI believes that LGBTQ youth and adults deserve federal protections.
Transgender and Gender-liberated Youth
HMI believes that emotional and physical safety is essential for the growth of young people.
HMI supports the development of policies, practices and programs that increase economic and educational opportunities for Trans and gender-liberated youth.
HMI believes that all young people should be encouraged to live as their true authentic selves, free of stigma, bias and fear.