The International Human Trafficking Institute (IHTI) is pairing with the LGBT Institute and other partners in Florida and Georgia to hold events during National Human Trafficking Awareness Month.

The events are intended to heighten awareness and get communities involved in the fight against human trafficking.

On January 15, 2016, “Poetry for Freedom” is being held at the Miami Dade College- Wolfson Campus Auditorium.  The event features poets with a passion for human rights and freedom. It runs from 7:30-9:00 pm, and the cost is $5 for students, $8 for non-students.

Likewise, there will be a panel discussion on January 26 called “Spotlighting Vulnerabilities: Exposing the High Risk of Human Trafficking for LGBT Youth.” Discussion will focus on the dangers of homelessness faced by youth in the LGBT community. For instance, as many as 25 percent of LGBT youth may be kicked out of their homes when they come out to their parents, according to the IHTI.

Discussion for the panel begins at 7:30 pm, and will be held at the Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta, Georgia.

IHTI is working actively to support Georgia Senate Resolution 7 (SR 7). The resolution, which voters will be asked to vote on during the general election, would allow additional penalties for those found guilty of human trafficking, and would create a safe harbor law for victims.

Read the full text for SR 7 here: https://gov.georgia.gov/sites/gov.georgia.gov/files/related_files/document/SR%207.pdf?mc_cid=5dbf4a7b74&mc_eid=249c4d3600

For more information on IHTI, visit http://theihti.org/?mc_cid=5dbf4a7b74&mc_eid=249c4d3600