.gay Community Spotlight on Lyric

This week for .gay’s Community Spotlight series, we honor LYRIC's hard work and dedication. They are one of the country's first and largest LGBTQIA+ Youth centers, founded in 1988. Since then, they have been providing services and resources for LGBTQIA+ Youth in the Bay Area.

Find out more about their work in our chat below. 

How would you describe your organization’s mission?

LYRIC’s mission is to build community and inspire positive social change through education enhancement, career trainings, health promotion, and leadership development with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQQ) youth, their families, and allies of all races, classes, genders, and abilities.

Tell us about how that mission is brought to life through your work?

LYRIC’s mission is to build community and inspire positive social change through education enhancement, career trainings, health promotion, and leadership development with LGBTQQ youth, their families, and allies of all races, classes, genders, and abilities.

What would happen if your organization suddenly did not exist?

Our youth would suffer the largest impact. We provide a space to our youth that was created by and for them. So to take such a sacred space away from our youth could be extremely harmful.

What can people do to get involved and help make sure that never happens?

Donating to LYRIC and our mission is such a major in helping provide the services and resources for our youth! Another that is free and easy is just by sharing our story and our mission with others. By sharing our information with more people, more LGBTQIA+ & TGNC youth have the opportunity to find us and use us as their resource.

Why does LGBTQIA+ visibility matter to you?

LGBTQIA+ visibility matters to us because we exist, and we have always existed. Our youth deserve safe and equitable spaces. So to us, we need to be visible where it matters the most in order to give our youth everything they need to succeed.

In your own words, what does “LGBTQIA+ safety and support” mean specifically?

LGBTQIA+ safety and support means being able to be yourself in every space and have a community there behind you.

Who are some of your LGBTQIA+ heroes?

Three of my personal favorites are; Marsha P. Johnson, Bayard Rustin, and James Baldwin.

If you could give LGBTQIA+ youth one message, what would it be?

You’re amazing, and the world can’t wait to see your light! So keep going. And we’ll be here when you need us. 

Tell us about a time when you felt like the work you do at your organization really mattered or made a difference for the communities you serve?

LYRIC recently spearheaded a coat giveaway where we were able to secure 250 new winter coats from Macy's and pass out over 100 to youth and families. This event is so amazing! We had food, a DJ, and racks of brand new coats! So many families left warm!

Anything else you would like to share with the .gay audience?

LYRIC is truly a space for youth, by youth.