A locally developed study (the OutLook Study) found that 90% of LGBTQ2S+ high school students in Waterloo Region reported pretending not to be LGBTQ2S+ while growing up. There is a clear and present need to ensure our community is welcoming, and one where everyone feels that they belong,
Data from our Children and Youth Planning Table’s 2021 Youth Impact Survey showed that almost half of gender non-conforming children in our region experience social isolation. In addition, 2SLGBTQ+ youth face 14 times the risk of suicide faced by their straight and cisgender peers. In our view, this constitutes a crisis.
We know through our internal surveys from those who access Spectrum’s programs and services that 97% of respondents reported feeling included and welcomed, 91% indicated they found the support they were seeking, and 95% reported feeling more connected to the local 2SLGBTQIA+ community. As one participant shared, “This is the only group that makes me feel welcome and understood.”
This project will allow our region to start the work early in a child’s development to foster inclusion and belonging and ensure the 2SLGBTQ+ youth in our region can feel the community support available to them.
support
Your voice matters. Show your support for submitted projects by leaving a comment, sharing your story or photo, or posting to social media. Every bit of encouragement helps communities grow stronger together.
I strongly believe in the power of 2SLGBTQ+ youth programming! I know so many families and individuals who have greatly benefited in so many ways!
Marginalized youth need to see themselves and find community with others to know they’re not alone.
When our son sees other families that look like ours, it is priceless. Thank you Spectrum for giving us that gift!
We love Spectrum and all the incredible work they do for 2SLGBTQIA+ children and families!
Knowing about queerness and being openly accepted and encouraged to be open with who I am as a kid would’ve saved me years of surviving instead of living 💕
This is such an incredible and necessary project – it would have been life-changing for me and I am so grateful it can exist for youth and families today!