|
Techno-electronica beats so loud that the air vibrates to the point where the dancers’ bodies move involuntarily, as if caught in between multiple ocean currents; oppressive heat generating from the sea of gyrating bodies slick with sweat and rhythm. All inhibitions are left at the door and stomped in the floor, for no one is immune to the dance fever that has overcome the Atlanta, Georgia teen center’s monthly dance party. The center is called Youth Pride, and is the only organization in Atlanta serving all LGBTIQ youth. By day, when it isn’t playing host to some 75 or so teenagers, Youth Pride acts as a center where youth ages 13 to 24 can drop by and do homework, connect with friends, and hang out in a place that offers safety from the not-very-queer-friendly hustle and bustle of school and life. In fact, YP prides itself on being a safe haven for youth from all walks of life. Its slogan is: “Where Coming Out is Safe, Shared, and Celebrated.” Anyone can go into the center and see safe-sex advertisements, rainbows liberally adorning the belts and buttons and shirts of members, and rainbow skin colors – all brought together for a single purpose: Expression.
The age range plays next to no role in the forging of friendships, due to weeknights being devoted to various groups that foster members meeting and getting to know other members – like Wednesday night group meetings. The clique-complex seems to play little role in Youth Pride also, as the fabulous extrovert with both the loudest colors and mouth can be seen talking to the most reserved shy guy. “It’s one of the only places in Atlanta where LGTBIQ youth of a variety of races/ethnicities/genders can explore their sexuality without spoken (or unspoken) barriers of elitism,” says John-Paul Griffin, the program director at YP. “On any given day, there are hosts of youth from different backgrounds in the center.” Another point of interest regarding YP: The youthful atmosphere reigns king. Who better to make the decisions concerning teens in a center dedicated to serving teens than teens? Once a month, a handful of teens meet and talk about the inner workings of the center: The good, what ought to change, how to raise funds, and the monthly party agenda. When asked about the decision to allow the youth to take care of most of the goings-on in the center, Griffin summarizes the difference between the priorities of a thirty-year-old and teenagers and his role as an adult mentor. “It’s like the banks of a river: I guide, not dam – I let the members’ creativity flow.” “As a gay man growing up in the South 40 years ago, I understand growing up and struggling with my sexuality. We’ve come a long way since the 1960s, but we still have a long way to go and all of us in the gay community need to support LGTBIQ youth,” said Bud Russell, a major donor to Youth Pride. Youth Pride continues to make strides toward a better future for the youth of the LGTBIQ community, who will one day ascend and inherit the struggle for their piece of the pie in the world. Sage Nenyue is a teenager who lives and writes in Atlanta, GA.
|
