November 20, 2025
As we reflect back on another unforgettable Healthy Teen Network conference, our hearts are full—and our sense of solidarity has never been stronger.
The outside world feels so chaotic right now, a feeling of constant fires that require our attention; it is exhausting to sift through. And that is on purpose! It is meant to exhaust us, to make us numb, and to distract us from the actual, real, and very important work we all aim to do each and every day.
It might feel lonely right now as we continue our work under these upside down and challenging conditions, but you are not alone.
We are in a really hard part of the journey. But I take strength in the fact that we aren’t alone in believing all young people, all people, have the right to be who they are, love who they love, have access to support and services, and the right to bodily autonomy to help them flourish and thrive. It might feel lonely right now as we continue our work under these upside down and challenging conditions, but you are not alone.
Over the course of the three days, the theme of In Solidarity invited us to reflect on what it truly means to stand together—across movements, across communities, and especially within our own field of adolescent sexual and reproductive health.
Monday: Defining Solidarity
Our first day grounded us in the “why” of solidarity. Through the powerful words of Adaku Utah from the Building Movement Project, we were reminded that:
“In solidarity, we seek joy and justice, especially when the weight of the world seems too heavy to bear alone.”
“Solidarity does not begin with us. And it will not end with us.”
Adaku called us to honor our inner wisdom and to recognize that this work—our work—is generational.
That evening, the Sweet Tea Social brought the perfect balance of reflection and joy. Between live music from The Groovy Groove Band, artmaking, and the photo booth, attendees celebrated community and connection in true Healthy Teen Network fashion.
Tuesday: Solidarity with Young People
On Tuesday, we shifted our focus to solidarity with young people, exploring what authentic youth-adult partnerships look like. As Anaia Clyburn from Advocates for Youth reminded us:
“When communities unite, they build power.”
“Healthier sexual and reproductive outcomes don’t just happen to us—they happen with us [young people].”
During the Shine On! Awards Lunch, we honored changemakers in our field who continue to light the way forward, even in hard times.
“I know the work we are all doing is one that stands in opposition to fear and intimidation and oppression, and centers vision and hope as an antidote to cynicism and nihilism. Quite frankly, everyone doing this work deserves recognition for continuing to push forward in a society that so often cruelly pushes back.” – Alyssa Gale, MPH, Mount Sinai Department of Health Education
“We are in hard times and that means young people need us to stand up for them—more than ever.” – Dr. Natasha Ramsey, Gorjus Sex Ed
“It’s not pregnancy that is limiting. It’s the way society treated me because of it… that shame is not inevitable—it is constructed, and it is something we can dismantle.” – Dr. Kate Westaby, Young Parent Collective
We also made space to connect more deeply at Queer Connect and BIPOC Connect, both of which provided meaningful opportunities for healing, reflection, and community care. One person who attended the BIPOC Connect shared that, “Theresa’s spoken word performance and raw vulnerability inspired others to share their inner thoughts through poetry, exhibiting the healing power of creative expression.” Another attendee who attended the Queer Connect shared how Adaku’s skillful facilitation helped create a “safe enough” space for real feeling—tears, hugs, and all.
Wednesday: Coming Together in the Work Ahead
Our closing day called us back to the heart of our mission: solidarity in action. Jaclyn Friedman, Founder and Executive Director of EducateUS, helped us examine the real threats facing our field—from censorship to erasure—and offered tangible strategies to combat these attacks together. She shared one of her favorite quotes from an anonymous source that captures how we need to move forward:
“Change moves at the speed of relationships. Relationships move at the speed of trust.”
Thank You
We’re deeply grateful to everyone who made this year’s conference possible—from our speakers and facilitators to our exhibitors, including our generous sponsor ViiV Healthcare, for their support and partnership.
And most of all, thank you to you—our attendees, advocates, educators, and young leaders—who continue to show up in solidarity, year after year.
We can’t wait to gather again next year in San Diego, October 5–7, 2026, for #HealthyTeen26. Until then, may we keep building power, practicing care, and finding joy—together.
PHOTOS BY: GINA DESIDERIO
