Our Work

Founded in 1991, Stonewall Youth is a youth-led organization that empowers LGBTQ2S+ youth to speak for themselves, support each other, educate our communities, and work for social justice.

Most of our programming is for youth age 21 and under. We periodically host drop-ins and other activities for youth ages 18-24. We serve three primarily rural counties in southwestern Washington: Thurston, Mason, and Lewis.

Stonewall Youth is youth-led and adult-supported. We are operated by a staff collective of eight Co-Directors (six youth up to age 23 and two non-youth).

Youth staff, Board members, and participants are involved in all areas of work and decision-making. The majority of people in our collective and on our Board are people of color; all identify somewhere in the LGBTQIA2S+ spectrum. Along with providing youth staff opportunities, we provide internship opportunities to youth college students and paid Fellowships to low-income youth.

Stonewall Youth (SY) provides a dazzling array of programs: peer support groups; drop-in hours; ongoing art, music, and writing programs; advocacy and mentorship; safe and sober social events (such as dances and performances); an annual 4-day youth leadership development and organizational planning retreats; opportunities for youth to educate themselves and our community on issues that LGBTQIA2S+ youth face; professional development through staff positions, fellowships, internships, and Board membership; and much more!

Four goals are interwoven throughout all our work:

• SUPPORTING LGBTQ+ YOUTH TO SURVIVE AND THRIVE.  Support groups, skill-building workshops, mentorships, referrals, advocacy, and other programs assist youth to obtain safety, food security, housing, education, employment, healthy relationships, health care, social services, and a full spectrum of choices regarding their bodies, self-expression, relationships, and legal rights. Youth lead and participate in a wide range of workshops, and leadership and activism trainings/activities/opportunities.
  • EDUCATION AND EMPOWERMENT. Through participatory workshops and other programs, we learn together about many things: LGBTQ+ issues, experiences, and history; life-skills; legal rights; diverse social justice movements, strategies and tactics; intersectional oppression, and collective liberation. We educate our communities through workshops and events. Youth and people of color lead our organization and are at the center of decision-making. We provide work experiences for youth to build skills and confidence, work for social justice, and increase access to college and future employment.

• Well-Paid LEADERSHIP and PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT for youth through co-director positions, fellowships, internships, and Board membership. Youth lead Stonewall Youth, develop and implement programs within the organization, and lead advocacy and community organizing efforts in our communities. Youth build skills and confidence and increase access to college and future employment.

• SOCIAL AND SYSTEMIC CHANGE: We build the capacity for youth organizing and leadership by providing the training, resources, and support necessary for youth to develop and USE their leadership and power within Stonewall and to be effective advocates for social justice.