What is Seacoast Outright?
Seacoast Outright is an educational, social service, advocacy organization that offers services to gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, and questioning youth (21 and under) in the greater New Hampshire, southern Maine, and northern Massachusetts Seacoast region.
Seacoast Outright is a support and advocacy organization that seeks to change the social climate for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning youth in the NH Seacoast. Through support and social groups, youth empower one another to stand proud and live into their full potential. Our youth-driven cultural competency training and speakers' bureau teach leadership skills to LGBTQ youth, while educating our larger community.
Seacoast Outright's youth support group meetings provide a safe place for youth to meet, socialize, and provide support for each other in an environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. The adult facilitators at the youth support group meetings provide positive adult role models.
Services Provided by Seacoast Outright
Seacoast Outright provides three primary services:
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Our History
The impetus for Seacoast Outright grew out of a conference at the University of New Hampshire in March of 1993. The conference, called Respect for All Youth, was an initiative of P-FLAG. Before the conference, youth service providers and school personnel had little awareness that LGBTQ youth were among their students and clientele, or that LGBTQ youth are at special risk. More importantly, at that time in New Hampshire, there were almost no services available to LGBTQ youth. Attendees of the conference—educators, health care workers, and community members—expressed great concern about the growing evidence that gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans and questioning youth are at a significantly higher risk for suicide, substance abuse, teen pregnancy, homelessness, foster home placement, dropping out of school, and contracting STDs like HIV. Seacoast Outright was conceived in response to their concern.
By the summer of 1993, the organization had developed and was holding regular meetings. Working committees were formed, and plans were made to establish a financial base for the organization. Presently, we have completed six training sessions for adult volunteers involved with Seacoast Outright, including adults who facilitate youth support group meetings. Those adults and youth participating in outreach presentations to schools and other organizations are trained in ongoing workshops.
As of March 2008, Seacoast Outright had seen well over 2000 different youth from the Seacoast area and has spoken to more than 12,000 people through our speakers' bureau and cultural competency trainings!
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Board of Directors
The Seacoast Outright Board of Directors is composed of local professionals and youth who share a vision of empowering LGBTQ youth and positively influencing the community on their behalf.
Since its beginning, Seacoast Outright has operated with a decision-making process based on consensus. A Board of Directors is made of Chairs from various action committees. The Board includes liaisons to PFLAG and the community at large.
The Board of Directors is largely responsible for financial stewardship. The Board is involved in fund-raising and supports outreach/education, it oversees finances, and has ultimate authority in program matters. Several youth group members also serve on the Board of Directors and speak directly to their needs and those of their peers. The Board of Directors provides direction with regard to goal setting, programming, and community networking for the purposes of education and, ultimately, coordination of existing youth services.
Funding
Seacoast Outright is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We receive no state, federal, or town funding. Our funding is entirely dependent on donations, fundraisers, and private grants.
Funders include:
- United Way of the Greater Seacoast;
- Haymarket People's Fund;
- Women's Fund of New Hampshire;
- Agnes Lindsey Trust;
- Greater Piscataqua Community Fund;
- Christ Episcopal Church;
- Congregational Church of Exeter;
- South Church UU; and
- people like you!!!