LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER & QUESTIONING…

adolescence can be a time when many youth question their sexual feelings. Becoming more aware of these feelings is part of normal development. Sometimes adolescents may have same-sex feelings or experiences that may cause them to question their sexual orientation.

Some young people have felt that they may be lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) and want to seek resources. People come out at many different ages and only you can decide when the time is right. If you identify as LGBTQ, it is important to understand that these are natural expressions of gender and sexuality according to all major national mental health organizations (APA, APS, etc.) Regardless of negative messages you may have heard from family, faith communities, or society at large, you have a right to be who you are and to express yourself accordingly. Similarly, if you have LGBTQ parents or close family members you have the right to be proud of them.

Compass the Gay & Lesbian Community Center of the Palm Beaches for more than 20 years, Compass has provided a safe space for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth in Palm Beach County. At Compass, LGBTQ youth and their allies engage in peer mentoring, social-support, education, guided discussions, community service, leadership opportunities, linkage to resources and fun!

Since its inception, Compass has hosted weekly youth group meetings with over 2,000 children, teens and their families having accessed services through the Compass Youth program - making it one of the longest running and largest LGBTQ youth programs in the southeast United States. Compass implemented:

Wyman’s Teen Outreach Program® (TOP®), an evidencebased curriculum, which empowers youth to lead successful lives and build strong communities, Compass currently serves more than 100 youth per week, both in our Youth Drop In Center and in partnership with Palm Beach County schools.

Compass Gay & Lesbian Community Center hosts a weekly Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) Meeting for representatives from high schools and universities throughout Palm Beach County to provide an opportunity for young leaders to connect, network, and combine their advocacy efforts to achieve maximum success. Compass also works closely with PFLAG (Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) to provide support to parents and friends when a loved one comes out. You matter to all of us! Contact:

Compass (Gay & Lesbian Community Center) .. (561) 533-9699

PFLAG- peer support group & meetings ............ (561) 716-9464

SunServe .............. info@sunserve.org or call: 1-(954) 764-5150

Trevor Project (Crisis & Suicide Prevention) .. 1-(866) 488-7386

(Also for 18 and up)The Pride Center in Broward .. 1- (954) 463-9005

1‐800‐273‐TALK(8255)