Growing American Youth

Growing American Youth is a social support organization for youth who live in or near St. Louis and who are 21 and under and may identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, asexual or questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity. Growing American Youth has been serving St. Louis area youth for 30 years.[1] The group meets weekly at a church;[2][3] members discuss their lives, self-acceptance, coming out, and fitting in with peers,[3] as well as LGBT history and notable LGBT people.[4] Straight allies also attend.[2]

Among other events, including lock-ins[5] and arts events,[6] the group organizes a yearly prom for same-sex couples who are forbidden to attend the regular high school prom.[5][7] They are represented yearly at St. Louis PrideFest,[5][8] with over 400 LGBT and allied youths marching in the 2011 parade.[9]

References

  1. ^ http://www.growingamericanyouth.org/Growing_American_Youth/Welcome.html
  2. ^ a b Kee, Lorraine (October 11, 2001). "Opening Doors to Understanding and Acceptance". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. http://www.webcitation.org/619hHRIL1. 
  3. ^ a b Futterman, Ellen (December 21, 1992). "Gay teens want information, understanding, acceptance". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. http://www.webcitation.org/619hF8Kq7. 
  4. ^ Strongheart, Amy Adams Squire (February 2, 1996). "Message of Hope for Sexual Minority". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. http://www.webcitation.org/619hBEIKO. 
  5. ^ a b c Howard, Trisha L. (July 11, 2005). "Prom offers gays a night out: "We got to hold hands," one 18-year-old says". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. http://www.webcitation.org/619hGAzKi. 
  6. ^ Crone, Thomas (May 20, 2004). "Lipkin Says Her "Apple Pie" Will Turn Out With Surprises". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 
  7. ^ Kim, Eun Kyung (June 23, 2006). "Today's gay teens have more support, but plenty of stigma lingers". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 
  8. ^ Bell, Kim (June 25, 2004). "Politics could seize the limelight at PrideFest". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 
  9. ^ Munz, Michele (June 27, 2011). "New York's gay marriage law boosts mood at St. Louis PrideFest". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/article_3815dc14-50f0-5225-afbe-91ce71850f05.html.