Growing up isnt easy.
For LGBTQ+ youth, its even more challenging to navigate through life and relationships.
Two local organizations are teaming up to offer support and information to ease their transition to adulthood.
The first meeting of an LGBTQ+ Youth Support Group is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Sunday at 406 N. Buckeye St., sponsored by Hope Unlimited and Thrive Allen County.
We want a safe space for everybody, where they can come and feel safe to talk and get factual information, especially when it comes to developing healthy relationships, Michelle Meiwes, youth advocate mentor with Hope Unlimited, said.
Studies show LGBTQ+ youth have higher rates of suicide and depression than their heterosexual peers.
So many children I meet with, across the board, feel hopeless and helpless. Its even harder for LGBTQ+ youth to understand what their expectations should be for a healthy relationship, or how to reach out for help.
Allie Utley, an Iola High School student and intern with Thrive who is coordinating the group with Meiwes, said its important for those in the local LGBTQ+ community to connect with each other and with service organizations.
Support groups for minority groups like LGBTQ+ youth are common in larger communities and cities, but no such group exists in the local area.
This is a bigger population than we realize and they have been underserved at this point, she said. I think it has to do with recognizing the times we live in.
Organizers encourage participation from both LGBTQ+ youth and supporters, including parents and friends.
They need to realize there are people in this community who do care about them, Utley said. Thats so important.
At the first meeting, participants will discuss the organization of the new support group, such as when, where and how often it will meet in the future. Meiwes and Utley want to empower participants to lead the group and determine what issues they want to address.
They do have suggestions, though, on the topics that could be valuable to LGBTQ+ youth.
Among them:
Language and definitions, and how people identify and relate to each other.
Healthy relationships, understanding how to identify unhealthy behavior and where to go for help.
