.gay Community Spotlight on Oasis Center

For our .gay Community Spotlight this week, we bring you a conversation with Oasis Center, which is providing a safe and affirming space for young people to explore and celebrate their identities wholly and authentically in Tennessee.

Learn more about their inspiring work in our interview below. 

How would you describe your organization’s mission?

As a whole, Oasis Center’s mission is to help young people grow into a happy and healthy adulthood. Specifically, Just Us is a collection of positive youth development programs and mental health services focusing on LGBTQ+ youth – providing a safe and affirming space for young people to explore and celebrate their identities wholly and authentically. Our collection of programs includes Becoming Us for middle school youth, Just Us for high school youth, Students of Stonewall for high school advocates and activists, as well as individual and small group therapy services.

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

Our mission is brought to life by every single young person who is able to grow into their identities confidentially and unapologetically. More often than not, being a part of our groups is shared as the high of their week during our circle check-in. Hearing young people express that they now feel accepted and part of a community, or they feel more comfortable being themselves is an incredible measure of success. Being able to provide the space for any LGBTQ+ youth to grow, celebrate who they are, and to bloom is invaluable.

What would happen if your organization suddenly did not exist?

Just Us’ collection of positive youth development programs and mental health services serve as a literal lifeline for many of our young people. For many of the young people we work with, this may be the only outlet they have to be themselves freely and authentically while building vital connections with their peers. Because our services are free of charge, including our mental health services, our young people never need to worry about cost being a barrier. Just Us at Oasis Center is the only full-time staffed and intentional positive youth development program for LGBTQ+ youth in Tennessee, and to no longer exist would leave our LGBTQ+ youth with nothing.

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

Our greatest need is always financial support, and no amount is ever too small. We have donors who give the price of a cup of coffee once a month, up to those who are able to give $1000+. Every dollar given goes to ensure LGBTQ+ youth in Tennessee will continue to have a safe and affirming space to build community and connection. Beyond that, share and uplift our work. Connect young people to our programs, help let others know that we are here for any LGBTQ+ youth who needs us.

Why does LGBTQ+ visibility matter to you?

LGBTQ+ visibility matters because people, especially young people, need to see themselves as happy, proud, affirmed, members of a community. And if young people cannot see it, they cannot be it as they grow into adulthood. As an out and proud adult, I feel as it is my responsibility to be as visible as possible so that others know they are not alone, and I will continue to be visible for those who cannot be. Ultimately, I want nothing more than for LGBTQ+ youth to grow into LGBTQ+ adults.

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

To me, LGBTQ+ safety and support means not just being accepted in a community, but being welcomed, embraced, wanted, and celebrated. Safety and support means having equitable access to all opportunities within a community, and having the ability to live and express proudly and openly, without fear of shame or retaliation. It means being able to bring my full self to any space, wholly and authentically.

Who are some of your LGBTQ+ heroes?

Each young person who comes through our programs. Existing as an LGBTQ+ person is radical resistance in itself, especially existing as an LGBTQ+ young person. LGBTQ+ youth are some of the most resilient and courageous people I have ever met. The courage and bravery to exist openly and proudly in the face of such adversity is inspiring and truly heroic.

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

Continue to be your full, whole, authentic self in every space you can. You are valid, you matter, and you are wanted here. We are almost always going to hear the hate first, and maybe the loudest, but there is so much good and so much Queer joy to celebrate every day and you are a necessary part of that unrelenting, boundless, revolutionary joy.

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?

In 2022, Just Us at Oasis Center was recognized as Nonprofit of the Year at the Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce Pride in Business Awards, and I was recognized as Advocate of the Year. To be known, nominated, and voted for by the community was such an incredible honor.  Both of these awards reaffirmed the work that Just Us does every day for LGBTQ+ youth in Nashville, Middle Tennessee, and beyond.

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

Show up for LGBTQ+ youth and believe them. They will always know themselves and their personal identities better than anyone else ever could, so please trust that what they say is true. Connect youth to resources, even with the most supportive and affirming of families, LGBTQ+ youth need to be in space and community with their LGBTQ+ peers. Advocate for them; so many times, they are left out of the conversation simply because they are young people and not of voting age, but they will always be directly impacted by any decision that is made for or against them. Support local agencies, whether financially or through your time, who are serving LGBTQ+ populations. National names will always be in the news first and usually get the celebrity endorsement and backing, but there are incredible local nonprofits in all communities with their boots on the ground and directly serving the LGBTQ+ community day to day.