We Are Everywhere
As the only LGBTQIA+ youth advocacy and education non-profit in Western North Carolina, we hold our mission close to heart.
Youth OUTright strives to create a world in which all Queer and Trans youth are supported to realize their power and autonomy through self-determination. We support youth in resisting oppression by building community, healing, and growing together. We engage in intersectional and intergenerational dialogue with a focus on gender and racial justice.
We are so grateful for all of the folks who donate, volunteer, and partner with us to advance our work.
Creating affirming spaces for all Queer and Trans youth to experience joy is especially important right now, as we continue to see LGBTQIA+ peoples’ rights and lives threatened across the country through legislation, discrimination, and mass violence.
Here are some of the ways your donation supports our work:
Weekly Programs: Every week we host 3 Queer and Trans youth peer support groups dedicated to joy, growth, play, and connection. From covering the cost of rental space to food and drinks to art supplies, your donation helps us create spaces where youth can spend time with their peers, enjoy a free meal, and be unapologetically themselves.
Gender & Sexuality Alliances (GSA): Youth OUTright serves as the GSA Network of North Carolina which means we support LGBTQIA+ clubs in middle schools, high schools, and colleges across the state. In 2022, we've had a record-breaking 77 clubs register. We partner with clubs to share resources and training, as well as learn about the experiences and needs of Queer and Trans young people in the varying counties we serve. Your donation helps us cover the cost of educational materials, travel expenses, and gifts like pronoun pins.
Educational Panels: We host gender justice and racial justice panels where young people are invited to talk about topics that matter to them. Our most recent TYME (Trans Youth Movement in Education) panel discussed gender dysphoria and featured a 7-person intergenerational panel. We pay these folks $25/hour to share their experiences and knowledge with our community and your donation helps us cover this expense.
Events: We host events like our annual Stonewall Pride Picnic for families and LGBTQIA+ youth of all ages to hold space together and share a meal. This year we had conversations about the history of the Stonewall Inn Riots and how we honor those roots at present-day pride events. Your donation helps cover costs like renting a venue, purchasing food and drinks, printing educational materials, and hiring community security to keep everyone safe.
Community Training: We offer 3 courses to schools, youth-serving organizations, and local businesses: Gender & Sexuality, Creating an Affirming Environment, and Coming Out Gender Support Plan. We offer these courses on a sliding scale with the mission of sharing this knowledge with as many folks as possible. Your donation helps cover the costs of printed materials, travel expenses, and staff time when community partners receive subsidized training.
We hope you’ll consider making a donation to help us sustain these offerings and more. No matter the size of your donation, we are truly grateful for your support.