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A CARING COMMUNITY, WE

are challenged to be the change we want to see.

This notion rings consistently true, specifically on the subject of youth. In a world half soaked in beauty and half drowned in hatred, the youth of today may grow up to be drenched in one or the other. It is our responsibility to best prepare children for this maze we call life.

“By revealing to them the caring and giving nature of the human spirit while they are at an early age, we hope this mentality echoes throughout the rest of their lives,” says Kiesha Curry, Executive Director of OUT Paducah. “We lead by example.”

Prior to March 2019, Keisha was simply another social worker whose heart would crack a little more with each family she helped and even more so with each child under her care. Eventually, Kiesha had a brilliant idea for a way to help the children of this community feel more hopeful and welcome and not so incurably hopeless.

She had the idea of founding a youth-oriented organization focusing specifically on the LGBTQ+ aspects of the community. However, it needs to be noted that you don’t have to identify as an LGBTQ+ community member in order to enjoy or take advantage of the opportunities provided. The number of people involved with the OUT Paducah organization is relatively small but has doubled in the nearly nine months since its inception. This is a non-profit organization with funding coming strictly through donations.

Many celebrations of life are assembled for the youngsters, including fall festivals, pride rallies, pizza and games, as well as resources to be provided for any of those making a transition and support for anyone going through a difficult time, regardless if the difficulties pertain in any way to their gender or sexual orientation. Of course the team also seeks to educate young people on what their bodies may be going through along with pronouns, name changes, and societal expectations.

“The goal of the organization is to bring people together and to inform those who have questions,” comments Kiesha. “We hope OUT Paducah will evolve into a leadership program so that the children can one day shadow city council members, business professionals, and a wide variety of other occupations. Hopefully, we can provide for the child a foundation based on love and equality so that our youth can really be whatever they want if they work hard and set their minds to it and are not hindered by judgment or any preconceived notions rooted in discrimination.”

Kiesha hopes to educate those involved on the benefits of, and the right to request incorporating the Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) in western Kentucky education systems, such as the one in place at Marshall County schools. “This academic program provides a judgment free zone that is intended to educate and inform and above all else to help children feel wanted and comfortable with who they are,” adds Kiesha.

SHOPPING ★ by J.T. CRAWFORD