White Center Community Building 

LGBTQIA YOUTH PROGRAM

Since its start-up in 2019, the LGBTQ+ community building work has always placed an emphasis on creating a safe space for queer and trans youth through 10-week internships that focus on a specific theme. These Internships aim to build youth up in different aspects of their wellbeing while networking with other LGBTQ+ youth to help create an environment that is compassionate, inclusive, and fun! We’ve focused on themes such as self-care, different types of health (mental, spiritual, etc...), relationships, and more!

In the Summer of 2021, the community building aspect will be taking on a new meaning as we transition into something that’s more encompassing around being a support group. In that aspect, we’re looking to be visible and a resource for LGBTQ+ youth in anything they may need and are looking to find ways to provide help, opportunities, while not cutting out the fun part! We’ll be starting Summer 2021! If you know any LGBTQ+ youth looking for a place to hang out, we’re the right place to go to!

The "Make it R.A.I.N." Club

“The ‘Make It R.A.I.N.’ Club is geared towards providing a space of safety, support, and fun for all LGBTQ+ youth ages 13 – 21. The ‘R.A.I.N.’ acronym stands for ‘Real, All-Inclusive, and No Limits.’ Over the course of programming, the club intends on promoting individual growth for queer and trans youth through relationship-building opportunities, focusing on all aspects of their wellbeing, and most importantly – HAVING FUN.

Starting on August 25th, 2021 at 4pm, we’ll be meeting from 4 – 6pm every week to TURN UP! Please, feel free to invite any LGBTQ+ youth you may know to come through!”

LGBTQ+ in the News

RECAP FROM OUR QUEER N TEEN EVENT

A MESSAGE FROM SAREY:

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Thanks to all of you, the CDA’s first youth PRIDE event was a success! We had 32 participants and I’m so happy because this is truly an event that was created by the youth, for youth! 

It was so much fun to be around all of you and I hope you all had a chance to get to know some of the younger teens and young queer and trans adults in the community. Ultimately, this was a community event for the CDA to help start building the bridge to fill the gap between the LGBTQ+ community and the CDA. 

Thank you to everyone at the CDA who attended and volunteered for the event, and thank you so much to the interns who put in so much work to help make this event a success. You were all so helpful and I am forever in gratitude of working with all of you. This event is one to remember!

ABOUT QUEER N TEEN EVENT

This event was made to educate queer youth about Stonewall and celebrate that part of our history. 

Stonewall History Recap:

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The Stonewall Riots (also known as the Stonewall Uprising) that began on June 28, 1969, served as a huge motivation for the gay rights movement both in the United States and around the world. Early in the morning of this day 52 years ago, New York City police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay club located in New York City’s Greenwich Village, which served as a safe space for the city’s gay, lesbian and transgender community. This assault by the police sparked a huge riot among the bar patrons and neighborhood residents, as police violently forced employees and customers out of the bar.

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This eventually led to six days of protests and violent conflicts with law enforcement outside of the bar on Christopher Street and in neighboring streets outside of it too. These ongoing days of unrest and resistance by the LGBTQ+ community were caused by those who have been long frustrated by police brutality. Lesbians and trans women of colour were some of the key people involved in this liberating movement, including Stormé DeLarverie, Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson. This anniversary is a reminder of the power of standing together in defiance of those who seek to divide us.