Young People of Color

While images of LGBT people in popular culture that are heavily white, male and economically privileged may seem prevalent, this is only a portion of the diverse array of individuals who comprise our LGBT communities. Being “in the closet” is a difficult task for any person, but it may become more complicated when race and culture intermix with one’s ideas of his or her own community. You can be "closeted" about your sexual orientation or gender identity, but you our race and ethnicity is always known by those around us. People of color may identify first with their race or ethnicity before identifying according to sexual orientation or gender identity & expression.

Transgender Youth

Transgender people and their families face many of the same legal issues confronted by lesbian, gay, and bisexual people and families. Often, these issues are made more difficult to overcome due to the existence of stereotypes, misinformation and, open hostility. Workplace discrimination, challenges to parental rights, and difficulties obtaining appropriate sex and name designations are just some of the issues faced by transgender people. Sex reassignment surgery is often difficult to obtain, due to many insurance companies excluding coverage of such procedures.

Youth of Faith

Faith plays a pivotal and intricate part in individuals and communities’ lives. For many, faith and spirituality define who they are and the means with which they interact with others and view themselves. Faith has the power to inspire greatness with one’s actions and the ability to encourage ideals of acceptance, equality, and love. Members of the LGBT community who were raised with a strong religious background can often feel betrayed by the interpretations of scripture portraying the LGBT community as not only inferior, not an “abomination.” No human being is an abomination. LGBT communities of faith are warm and welcoming places of worship where love of oneself and of others is embraced and honored by their memberships.

OUT Families

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals pursue various paths to parenthood and creating families. For decades LGBT individuals have become parents and showered their children with the same love and attention that opposite sex parents also express. Some have children through the use of reproductive technology such as donor insemination or surrogacy, while others adopt or become foster parents. There are LGBT people who have children from previous heterosexual relationships. While our families deserve the same legal protections and social support granted to married opposite-sex couples and their children, they have few protections and, in some places, are even banned from adopting or becoming foster parents.