Mission

Outright Lewiston/Auburn creates safe and affirming environments for youth age 21 and under who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or questioning.

How We Support The Community

•  Weekly drop-in for youth age 21 and under who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and allies. This is a place to hang out, get support from trained volunteers, receive HIV and STD education and information about testing, and support/ education about other topics related to sexual health, suicide prevention, consent, and harm reduction.

• Support for Gay/ Straight Alliances and similar programs at local high schools

• Find, train and maintain a group of about 30 youth and adult volunteers who oversee drop-in, events, dances, provide outreach, assist with trainings, fundraising and one on one support for youth in need.

• Provide one to one support for parents and professionals who have LGBTQ youth in their lives

• Trainings for professionals who work with youth about increasing safety and awareness of the needs of LGBTQ youth in their programs and schools

• Annual state-wide Maine QT Youth Summit, a day of workshops, presentations, (many youth lead & or co-facilitated),  about LGBTQ History, Gender Sensitivity & Identity, Safer Sex, STD & HIV Prevention, & Much Much More!

• Collaborations with other programs working with and for LGBTQ youth such as New Beginnings, Out As I Want to Be, Portland Outright, All About Prevention, Bates OutFront, University of Southern Maine- Lewiston Auburn (USM/ LAC), Family Planning, Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Services (SAPARS), Lots to Gardens, GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network ), The Rainbow Ball, Safe Voices, Downeast Aids Alliance, and Equality Maine.

•  Annual Lewistunning Dragapalooza , our very successful drag show fundraiser and community building event

•  Outreach to schools and programs, youth and adults, about diversity, respect and oppression

•  Safer sex and sexual health outreach to youth in schools and programs

•  Three dances each year that provide a safe supportive environment for LGBTQ youth to socialize

•  Organize annual trips to Southern Maine Pride where youth can interact with the larger LGBT and straight allied communities

• Events that promote health for LGBTQ youth including World AIDS Day, Day of Silence, and National HIV testing events