Young people show support for LGBT History Month
Members of Plymouth’s Out Youth group will be showing their support for next month’s LGBT History month.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans history month (LGBT HM) celebrates the history, lives and achievements of the LGBT community. LGBT HM is celebrated in February throughout the UK and aims to challenge biphobia and transphobia.
Out Youth is a youth group for young people aged 13 - 25 in Plymouth who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered/transsexual (LGBT) in Plymouth.
The youth group has existed in Plymouth for over thirteen years with the support of the LGBT community volunteers and youth workers.
Youth worker Hannah Jordan said: “The youth group provides a safe space for young people to develop their personal and social skills, confidence, accreditation, positive activities, peer support and to achieve their aspirations. We run weekly youth sessions for young people who are LGBT but also support young people who maybe ‘Questioning’ their gender and/or their sexuality.”
The youth group is supported by Plymouth City Council Youth Services who work in partnership with the Police Diversity Team, The Zone, Eddystone and Intercom Trust to support young LGBT people in the city. The group also provides support in accessing other services that support young people.
Councillor Sue McDonald, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Public Health said “The Out Youth group provides essential support and guidance to young people in Plymouth who are either lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered/transsexual. A lot of our young people can feel very isolated as they deal with issues like their sexuality and the group allows them to talk to others who will be feeling just like them.
“I’d like to encourage any young person who’s feeling alone while they deal with issues around their sexuality or gender to get in touch with the group. Youth Services aim to provide support to LGBT young people to be themselves, to be safe, happy and to develop their confidence in their identity”.
Some of the young people were asked to share their feelings about being part of the group.
“Out Youth group helps isolated LGBT young people to feel not alone; knowing they aren’t the only one.”
“Out Youth group has given me the confidence and within the last 13 years I have met some great friends. Out Youth group gives young LGBT people the opportunity/chance to meet other young LGBT people and to gain support and guidance”
“Out Youth group to me is a place where I can be myself without worrying about being judged”
“Our hopes for the future are that we can make people more aware of how hard it is to be ‘Come Out’. We would also like to help educate people about being LGBT”
As well as attending the weekly sessions young people from the group have helped design sessions on Homophobia for schools. They have attended Pride events and the National Trans Youth Conference, contributed to Holocaust Memorial Day and Hate Crime Awareness Week events and have also taken part in the Pride In Our Past project. They have also organised two very successful Fashion Shows in aid of creating awareness and raising money for HIV & AIDS. Some of the youth group also gave a presentation on LGBT issues at the South West Equality conference at the GMB in Cardiff in Oct 2014.
Jono Madeley, Leadership Associate from Plymouth City Council’s Learning and Communities department said: “LGBT History Month provides an opportunity to dispel many myths and learn about the rich and varied histories associated with LGBT people and cultures.
"Out Youth Group contributed to the Holocaust Memorial Events this year, during which, they raised awareness of the atrocities faced by LGBT people in occupied countries during the Second World War.
"During their 10 years of operation the Plymouth Out Youth Group has provided a safe and supportive environment for our young LGBT people in Plymouth. A valuable aspect of their work continues to challenge and support schools in tackling homophobic attitudes and behaviour. All pupils, regardless of their differences, have the right feel safe at school and able to achieve their full academic potential.”
