Why LGBT+ youth groups?

I started Positively Different in order to give back to something that really helped me during my teen years, which was attending an LGBT+ youth group. 

I joined a local LGBT+ youth group at 14, I was super shy, and on the first Saturday meet-up there were only four of us! Meeting up with people who felt the same as me really helped because at this point I wasn’t “out” to my family yet and I didn’t have anyone close to me who could help guide me and tell me that actually yeah it's okay to feel this way.  

The group met up every Saturday fortnight and had discussions about general life topics, but aimed the discussions more towards the gay scene. For example, sex education in school is very heterosexual so social workers came in and gave a lesson about how to have safe sex with the same gender etc. As well as our usual meet-ups we also went out to do activities as a group such as bowling and preparing a BBQ on a warm summers day.

It was a safe space for everyone but particularly great for people who were still in the closet, who couldn’t come out for particular reasons however still needed a place to be themselves. Being a member meant keeping who else is there a secret for obvious reasons that we shouldn't still face today in 2017.

Personally, without going to the youth group I did, I know I wouldn’t be where I am in my life right now which is being totally comfortable with myself. I’m super happy being gay and wouldn’t change it for the world, even though girls are an absolute nightmare! :-)

By giving proceeds to LGBT+ youth groups means that we can keep the current ones going and also open up new ones in parts of the UK which currently don’t have the funding. 

Thanks 

Ax