What is IDENTITY?
IDENTITY is a safe and confidential space in downtown Binghamton for young people who identify as Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning. LGBTQ youth and their Allies are invited to come and be themselves, receive support and education, and meet new people. We offer education, support and recreational programs, and features such as books and literature, a television and video game system, several computers, wireless internet, and a kitchenette. IDENTITY is staffed by two full-time educators, several peer educators, and community mentors.
Why do we need a LGBTQ Youth center?
LGBTQ Youth face many unique challenges. In addition to the usually difficulties of being a teen, LGBTQ teens are more likely than their straight peers to be victims of harassment, bullying, violence, substance use, suicide and homelessness. IDENTITY offers LGBTQ Youth a chance to come to a safe place where they can be open about who they are without being afraid of being misunderstood or threatened, and to talk, play, create, work, study, learn, and socialize.
What does IDENTITY do for the Community?
The staff at IDENTITY recognize that LGBTQ youth need the support and understanding of their community in order to be successful and healthy, and that there is still a pervasive misunderstanding about LGBTQ issues on a community wide basis. IDENTITY’s full-time educators and peer educators are committed to educating the community about LGBTQ issues, and ways in which schools, helping professions, families, churches, and other community organizations can provide better support for LGBTQ youth.
What does IDENTITY do for families?
For many families, finding out that their teen is gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer or questioning can be a very confusing and scary time. They may have questions about what this means for the child they are supporting, and wondering what they can do to help. IDENTITY hosts a monthly family dinner and game night, so that families of LGBTQ teens can get together, talk to each other, mentors and IDENTITY staff, spend time with their families, and leave the cooking to us!
Identity Youth Center is an affiliate program of the Southern AIDS Program.