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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (May 20, 2011)
16 may 20.20»_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ It took a lot o f planning, fundraising, the right people and the right location to inaugu rate Portland’s Q_ Center three-plus years ago— and that’s exactly what a planning com mittee in Vancouver is hoping for.T riple Point, a weekly support group program—by way of Children’s Home Society of Washington— for LG BTQ_ youth in Clark County, has been a valuable regional resource to tackle issues like health education and self-advocacy. But in or der to implement a sustainable future for the program, the committee applied for and re ceived from the Pride Foundation a Queer Youth Capacity Building Grant. Now the plan ning committee—led by C H SW staff like Er- inn I lavigand Spring Dowse—are in the initial stages of making a queer youth center in Van couver a reality. “When this group of about 15 community members came together,”explains 1 Iavig,CHSW program manager for Family Support and Early Learning, “we identified that there are specific needs for queer youth in Clark County and for the agencies that work with these youth.” The active members of the committee include youth, community members and agency profes sionals from organizations such as Cascade AIDS Project, YWCA o f Clark County, Par ents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) of Southwest Washington and more. The committee has also partnered with Clark College’s Queer Penguins, as well as with Wash ington State University Pride groups. The proj ect, as I lavig is quick to note, is not a CHSW — community— WWW.JUSTOUT.COM Northern Exposure Vancouver planning committee eyes queer youth center in Clark County byryan j . prado the very minimum of the endeavor, hut rather a com “If the only safe and queer- center. This would include a munity effort. identified spaces are in space to accommodate 40 “The vision is for this youth comfortably, private center to create a safe and Portland, we send the offices for counseling and accepting environment for message to youth that HIV testing, and would also queer youth of Clark Coun be ADA accessible. A loca ty by providing social sup they are not welcome in tion has yet to be chosen, port, education, leadership this town, this community but Havig says one near the opportunities and resources Vancouver Mall is desirable so that youth become confi or this state and that they due to the transportation dent, caring and capable have to go elsewhere to be barriers of some youth. adults,” Havig says. “Cur Both WSU and Clark rent plans are that the center accepted for who they are.” would have partner agencies -ERINN HAVIG, CHSW STAFF College have already hosted working together with youth drag shows to benefit the to staff the center and provide agency services project. Coming up at 8 p.m. Sunday, May 22, as well as increased activities for the youth.” PFLAG of Southwest Washington has orga “Throughout this community building pro nized a fundraiser dubbed “A Sweet Fantasy.” cess we have seen that a dedicated space for Held at the Fraternal Order o f the Eagles queer youth is something that the local com #2158 (107 E. Seventh St., Vancouver), the munity wholeheartedly supports,” says Daniel event features a dessert bar, entertainment, Schollaert, HIV prevention specialist for CAP raffles and more with help from the Queer in Clark County. “CAP will continue to sup Penguins,Triple Point and The Imperial Sover port this work with the hope of one day open eign Court o f the Raintree Empire ($5 admis ing the doors of the center.” sion, 503-730-7375 or bgross@teleport.com). An estimated $92,000 is needed to operate Havig reports that even in its infancy, the planning committee for a queer youth center in Vancouver has received an amazing donation of time and energy by youth and community members. That momentum, one hopes, will fol low through to the realization o f the project— providing Vancouver LGBTQ_ youth with a place to call their own. “To me, the most important reason to have a center in Vancouver is that if the only safe and queer-identified spaces are in Portland, we send the message to youth that they are not welcome in this town, this community or this state and that they have to go elsewhere to be accepted for who they are,” Havig explains, noting that there is no competition whatsoever with Portland’s Q_Center. “O ur youth are so important and amazing,” she continues. “We need to work to better sup port them in their hometown. O ur goal is to create a safe community here as well. ► Central Oregon Coast ALWAYS NEVER THE SAM E TRY SOMETHING NEW HERE FINDERS KEEPERS comedy w ith no bnll S U N D A Y , Showtime: 7 pm Doors Open: 6 pm From Oct 16, 2010 to May 31st, 2011 - 2011 hand blown glass floats w ill be hidden on the beach for you to find and keep! On May 21 and 22, w e w ill be dropping M A Y VÄ« Tickets S1S-S20 sliding scale ■ 100 glass crabs, 100 glass sand dollars 2 9 ™ aura 10» V. Portland. and 2 0 0 f O U t l EL H ispanic N ews -* ™ H w w w e l h i s p a n i c n e w j c o m
