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YOUTH LGBTQ+ DROP-IN CENTER
We're very grateful to Genesee County Department of Mental Health and Community Services for funding our Batavia Drop-In Center for the 2022-2023 academic year! Please see the dates on the flyer to the left for this fall.
Drop-In Center sessions always include introductions and a check-in with group members. Activities, games, snacks, and discussions follow.
Act Out! is proud to offer social and emotional support for youth around the issues of sexual orientation and gender identity. Please see the opportunities listed below and if you are a youth between the ages of 12 and 18 who lives or goes to school in the GLOW region, consider yourself invited!
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Ayden Carlson/Activity Planner from Batavia High School
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Judith Newton/Education from Batavia High School
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Sara Vacin/Advisor
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Abigail Merkley/Social Media from Holley High School
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Lilly Fiscus/Social Justice from Caledonia-Mumford High School
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Ruth Metzgar/Fundraising from Attica High School and GCC (not pictured)
Meet Your 2022-23 Leaders
Words of Strength from Lilly Fiscus, Social Justice Leader
"High school or middle school is a scary place as I’m sure most of you know! The cliques, the people, trying to find yourself and where you fit in. When you're thrown into a group of honestly the most ruthless people on the planet, you have a hard time being vulnerable, and true to yourself, no matter who you are. When it comes to being gay and out in high school, that’s a whole different story. It’s one of those things where you feel like you’re safe and fine, and then turn around and realize that you’re not. It’s a matter of being in the right place at the right time. Sometimes you see kids who are out and accepted, and it gives you a lot of hope, other times that’s not the story. Sometimes you're walking through the hallway, or sitting in class and you hear the most absurd things happening behind you.
I believe that some students aren’t genuinely trying to be hateful. I’d say most of the time it’s confusion or trying to fit in, even if it means being hateful. We all try and fit in, no matter what group, we all strive to be someone with friends; someone who is liked, especially in high school where if you don’t, it’s going to be WAY harder.
Your friends and the people you trust will be your buffer. If you have friends who support you the high school experience will be so much easier. This doesn’t just come with being gay, everyone should surround themselves with supportive, understanding friends.
Whether you're in high school, middle school or a former high school student you most likely saw some type of bullying or experienced it firsthand. If you're able to, always try and stick up for someone. The suicide rates are higher among LGBTQ teenagers. It’s hard to hear jokes and oppressive comments on your daily life for being who you are, for having to face the world in a way that was not your choice, but rather how you were born.
Day after day, week after week, we have to struggle and fight to get our space in society. It’s not wrong to be who you are. Gaining strength and confidence takes time and it's okay to take your time."
Help us stop bullying by speaking up when you hear the F-slur or other offensive terms!
Want to do more? Help teach others by downloading and sharing your own copy which can be found here!
