A list of local representatives and colorful postcard options sit on the table during the LGBTQ+ advocacy training at Glass House Resources Center in Tyler. (Katecey Harrell/ Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Glass House Resources Center in Tyler offered training Saturday to empower LGBTQ+ youth and adults with the tools they need to effectively engage with their elected officials.

“I’ve heard of representatives keeping letters in their pockets and it being so impactful to them that they carry that with them every day,” said Samantha Wall, president of the board of directors for the Glass House Resource Center. “We’d like to give the youth a way to voice their stories, and use the frustrations they may face for good and to empower them.”

In partnership with Equality Texas, the training offered practical tips and guidance on preparing testimony for visits to the Texas Capitol and writing letters to elected officials. At the end of the session, a postcard party let participants write to their elected officials.

Training gave attendees a chance to learn about their representatives, how to connect with them and where their offices are located. They also gained insights into ways to provide input on pieces of legislation that could impact their everyday lives.

Equality Texas focuses on advancing the rights of marginalized communities through education, community organizing and collaboration.

Wall said with Equality Texas’ longstanding history of advocating for the LGBTQ+ community and many youth at the center being motivated to get involved politically, partnering with the organization for the event was a no-brainer.

“Some people are not aware that they can advocate locally, whether it be their elected officials for a state and Senate, we are able to engage with them for any concern,” said Gordy Carmona, Equality Texas community engagement and advocacy strategist. “We try to make sure people have the tools and the knowledge to be able to do that work.”

Wall said that numerous pieces of legislation in the new legislative session will  affect the LGBTQ+ community, including issues related to schools, bathroom usage and sports teams.

However, often, these deeply personal decisions are being made by people who are far removed from their experiences and don’t fully understand how these issues affect them.

“It makes the little things in life really difficult at times,” Wall said. “Sometimes these legislators, even if they’re not in support of how we feel…A lot of times they hear how impactful these stories are from the youth, and it touches their hearts.”

Visiting a representative’s office can be intimidating, Wall said. Talking about personal issues can feel vulnerable, but training helps make it easier by walking participants through the process — everything from check-in to how to introduce themselves and share their story. It helps them focus on what’s most important and communicate it confidently in a short amount of time.

Equality Texas helps bring out those skills in participants, demystifying the process, Wall said.

“The more that you exercise that skill, the more it’ll be easier, and the more that [elected officials] meet members of the community and see that we’re just regular folks like them that just navigate the world a little differently, and maybe can educate them a little bit,” Wall said.