Youth
Youth Programs
Seattle’s LGBTQ+ Center (Gay City) promotes protective factors that support the development and self-determination of LGBTQ youth.
From the launch of Queercore in 1996 to our multiple youth groups today, the Center has worked with LGBTQ youth to reduce risk factors that contribute to LGBTQ youth health disparities. The intent is to help dismantle inequitable systems and practices, especially those that disproportionately impact LGBTQ Black and Indigenous youth communities.
Youth Drop-In Space
About the Youth Drop-In Space
The Youth Drop-In Space is designed by youth, for youth. It’s a place where you’re allowed to exist as your full self, without needing to make a purchase or give an explanation. Come hang out with other LGBTQ+ young people and play games, watch movies, create art, and just be you! The Drop-In Space officially opened on July 13, 2022.
You can find the drop-in space inside Seattle’s LGBTQ+ Center at 400 E. Pine St. #100, Seattle, WA 98122. Pop in, say hello, and ask the person at the front desk where the youth space is 🙂
Hours:
Wednesday-Friday 2-6pm
Saturday 12-4pm
Upcoming closures
Please see our hours on the homepage for the most up to date info!
Discord Server
Stop by Sometime
Our Discord Server is a virtual community space for youth ages 13-24 across Washington State! It’s a great way to meet other queer youth, play games, hear about programs and opportunities, or just hang out.
Visit gaycity.org/JoinDiscord to get an invite, or sign up for our email newsletters to get updates here.
Pen Pal Program
About the Pen Pal Program
This program seeks to connect queer and trans young people ages 12-24 across the state of Washington. We are working with schools and community organizations so that we can protect everyone’s privacy, meaning that if you would like to participate but don’t want to send and receive letters from home, we can connect you with someone at your school or a local organization to send and receive letters for you. This is a great opportunity to make friends across the state and learn about people in different communities!
What is a Pen Pal?
A pen pal is somebody that you regularly exchange letters with. Letters are typically handwritten and sent through the mail.
How to Apply
Fill out the interest survey and we’ll match you with another participant, based on your responses!
Peer Mentorship Program
Mentorship Application
The Mentorship program application is now available for the Summer 2024 cohort! See the application here and be sure to apply by Friday May 10 at 11:59pm!
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or subscribe to our newsletter for more updates.
About the Program
The Seattle’s LGBTQ+ Center Summer Mentorship Program is for young people ages 14-24 in Washington State. This program will primarily be remote with optional opportunities for in-person events in Seattle.
This peer-mentor program was created to address oppressions that target youth who identify as people of color and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer. Racism, ageism, classisim, homophobia, transphobia, and other forms of oppression put QTBIPOC youth at greater risk of harmful substance use, homelessness, suicide, and other negative health outcomes. These forms of oppression also make it harder for QTBIPOC youth to find safe role models who understand and identify with their experiences.
Seattle’s LGBTQ+ Center seeks to change that by connecting QTBIPOC youth with peer mentors to add to the safety net of people they can rely on to affirm their identities, give advice, and guide them through challenges they may be facing as a result of intersecting oppressions. Mentors will be assigned to 3 mentees in Washington State and will meet with them in-person or virtually once a week for at least one hour.
As adultism negates the value of youth labor and often coerces youth into working for free, we are dedicated to funding all members of the program, both mentors and mentees. Providing stipends for the youth not only acknowledges the amount of labor and effort that they are contributing, it is another way to extend our value for them, since without the youth this program would not be possible.
Mentor Stipends
Mentors will receive $1200 total for serving 3 mentees ($400 per mentee).
Mentee Stipend
Mentees will receive a $400 stipend.
We can also support with tech needs! Let us know what you need in order to fully participate in the program and we can supply you with a tablet and internet stipend.
2024 Spring Program Dates
- April 3rd 4pm-7pm – Mentors only – training 1/ orientation (in-person recommended with virtual option)
- April 10th 4pm-7pm – Mentors only – training 2 (in-person recommended with virtual option)
- April 12th 4pm-7pm – Mentors only – training3 (in-person recommended with virtual option)
- April 17th 4pm-7pm – Mentees only – orientation(in-person recommended with virtual option)
- April 19th 1pm-4pm – Everyone – mentor and mentee 1st get to know you mixer(in-person group and separate virtual group)
- April 20th 1pm-4pm – Everyone – mentor and mentee 2nd get to know you mixer(in-person group and separate virtual group)
- April 26th – Mentors and Mentees will receive pairings by email.
- April 29th – Mentors and Mentees begin 1:1s (schedule amongst yourselves)
- May 5th 1pm-4pm – Seattle Art Museum (optional in person)
- May18th 1pm-4pm – Seattle Aquarium (optional in person)
- May 30th 5pm-6pm Mentors only – check in (hybrid)
- May 31st 5pm-6pm- Mentees only – check in (hybrid)
- June 8th 1-4pm – Make art and hang at Cal Anderson Park (optional in person)
- June 15th 1-4om – Spend time at YES farm or Queer the Land (optional in person)
- June 19th 5pm-6pm– Mentors only – check in (hybrid)
- June 21st 5pm-6pm – Mentees only – Check in (hybrid)
- June 29th 1pm-4pm- Everyone – Celebration of Completion of the program!(in-person recommended with virtual option)
- April 26th – July 28th – mentors and mentees meet weekly or biweekly (schedule among yourselves)
2024 Summer Program Dates
- 6/18 3pm-6pm Mentors only – Orientation (in-person recommended with virtual option)
- 6/20 3pm-6pm Mentors only – Training 1 (in-person recommended with virtual option)
- 6/25 3pm-6pm Mentors only – Training 2 (in-person recommended with virtual option)
- 6/27 3pm-6pm Mentors only – Training 3 (in-person recommended with virtual option)
- 6/28 3pm-6pm Mentees only – Orientation (in-person recommended with virtual option)
- 7/5 3pm-6pm Get-to-Know-You Mixer 1 (in-person recommended with virtual option)
- 7/6 12pm-4pm Get-to-Know-You Mixer 2 (in-person recommended with virtual option)
- 7/20 1pm-4pm Seattle Art Museum (optional in person)
- 7/22 Mentors and Mentees begin 1:1s (schedule amongst yourselves)
- 7/25 3pm-4pm Mentors only – check in (hybrid)
- 7/26 3pm-4pm Mentees only – check in (hybrid)
- 8/3 1pm-4pm Seattle Aquarium (optional in person)
- 8/10 1pm-4pm Make art and hang at Cal Anderson Park (optional in person)
- 8/17 1pm-4pm Spend time at YES farm or Queer the Land (optional in person)
- 8/22 3pm-4pm Mentors only – check in (hybrid)
- 8/23 3pm-4pm Mentees only – Check in (hybrid)
- 8/31 1pm-4pm Celebration of Completion of the program! (in-person recommended with virtual option)
Youth Advisory Council
About YAC
The Youth Advisory Council (YAC) is a group of LGBTQ BIPOC youth that live throughout Washington State. In collaboration with Gay City staff, they support the design and evaluation of effective youth advocacy that promotes self-determination, liberation, and joy.
Youth Advocacy Media (YAM)
About YAM
A group of LGBTQ youth (ages 12-20) from across Washington State that raise awareness about LGBTQ+ wellness concerns by promoting affirming prevention messages through various media channels. They create content to connect youth to supportive communities, affirming resources, and tools to help teens self advocate. Check out the YAM Instagram – @YAMWashington
Artwork by Anne
By centering the direct needs of LGBTQ youth, the needs of the community can be met. Seattle’s LGBTQ+ Center offers a multitude of youth advocacy and support trainings to create more equitable systems.
Technical Assistance
Gay City offers technical assistance to
organizations that are interested in providing equitable and sustainable youth advocacy and service provisions, such as developing organization-wide information systems to building the motivational interviewing skills of your staff. Learn more and submit a request for technical assistance here.
