THE EMPATHY ALLIANCE
Making Education Safer & More Inclusive For LGBTQ+ Youth
RECENT WORK
I'm an LGBTQ+ activist with a dream to make schools & communities more inclusive of ALL students regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Driven by my own experiences with bullying throughout elementary and middle school, I formed The Empathy Alliance at age 14 to ensure no one else experiences what I went through. I hope you enjoy learning more about us and our work!
Sameer Jha, Founder, The Empathy Alliance
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
We have reached more than 1 million people across America with our message
EDUCATING THE EDUCATORS
Sameer Jha speaks on panels, keynotes conferences, and hosts workshops targeting educators and youth serving professionals across the U.S. He covers topics like bias management, bullying, trans rights, beyond the gender binary, starting a GSA, coming out, and understanding intersectionality to help create more inclusive schools.
INCREASING AWARENESS
The Empathy Alliance works with some of the largest LGBTQ+ organizations in America on special projects to promote queer youth wellbeing. Additionally, Sameer Jha writes op-eds, speaks on radio, and provides interviews to publications like The New York Times, MTV News, NPR, The New York Magazine, and The Mercury News to ensure his voice as a trans and queer person of color is heard, & his message of empathy and hope reaches those who are underrepresented in media.
TRANSFORMING COMMUNITIES
The Empathy Alliance is located in San Francisco Bay Area where we organize monthly events to promote family acceptance and increase community engagement on LGBTQ+ relevant issues. We also collaborate with elected officials on policy changes at the city, state, and national level. Sameer Jha sits on a newly formed LGBTQ+ Task Force in Fremont, and is also part of an LGBTQ+ Community Leaders network convened regularly to advice the Mayor of Oakland.
Sameer has been an outstanding advocate for all students, especially the LGBTQ community at Hopkins Junior High. He reached out to us as an alumnus to offer his experience, knowledge, and sincere desire to help. Because of Sameer, we now have a growing and thriving GSA (Gay Straight Alliance) club, and our students are so excited and passionate about helping and educating our school community. I am extremely impressed with Sameers professional yet personable demeanor, public speaking skills, and the wealth of resources and knowledge that he can share with us. If you are wondering about where to start, do not hesitate to ask for help from Sameer!
Amalia Kim,
8th Grade Counselor,
Hopkins Junior High, Fremont, CA
CONTACT THE EMPATHY ALLIANCE
Get in touch with Sameer Jha to learn more about The Empathy Alliance and how you can get involved.
Email us at empathyawareness@gmail.com, connect with us on social media, or fill out the form below.