By Remy Sisk • Photos by Kathryn Harrington
Tucked away in Downtown Louisville sits one of the community’s most important and singular organizations for young folks in the area: Louisville Youth Group. Established in the 1990, Louisville Youth Group (LYG) is the primary nonprofit that serves QTBIPoC/LGBTQIA+ youth in the Greater Louisville/Kentuckiana region. “We provide a brave and affirming space for youth, ages 5-24,” the organization states, “to explore their gender and sexuality, learn life and leadership skills and develop the tools needed to build community and act as agents of change.”
Through ongoing program groups and leadership development opportunities, alongside community wide events, LYG creates a loving and supportive place for youths to learn more about themselves and connect with others in the ongoing process of self-discovery. All of the organization’s services are always offered at no cost.
“Many LGBTQ+ young people lack access to affirming spaces, with only 38 percent of LGBTQ+ youth reporting that their home is LGBTQ+-affirming and just over half saying that their school is LGBTQ+-affirming,” says Louisville Youth Group Executive Director Elana Rosenberg. “LYG offers not only youth support but also support for families. Through this family-oriented programming we hope families and caretakers learn how to fully embrace their youth.”
Indeed, a critical component to the success of LYG and its participants is that it affects change beyond its walls, that its resources can help shift the mindset of those who are not quite as inclusive and in time create a more loving, peaceful and diversity-affirming world.
“Studies have found that LGBTQ+ young people who felt high social support from their family reported attempting suicide at less than half the rate of those who felt low or moderate social support,” Rosenberg says. “LYG staff are excellent resources, often providing guidance to families as well as referrals to additional supportive providers and organizations. LYG parents and guardians stay connected with each other through an LYG Parent Facebook group. LYG also holds several multigenerational and community wide events throughout the year.”
This fall, LYG will hold its exciting Youth Empowerment Camp, an outdoors out-of-town weekend to enjoy time together and take a step outside comfort zones in a safe and affirming environment. Staff, mentors and 50 or so youth head to Camp Piomingo for a weekend of discovery. “Guided by staff and mentors, they participate in activities designed to build self-esteem, connect to a supportive community and identify leadership skills,” Rosenberg says. “For some youth, it is their first experience away from home, their first time at a camp or their first time connecting with other LGBTQIA+ youth and adults. Camp is also an opportunity for youth in rural areas outside of Louisville who may not be able to get to LYG for regular afterschool programming to participate in an LYG event.” Registration may be closed for the year, but stay up to date at louisvilleyouthgroup.org for all upcoming events.
While financial contributions are of course appreciated, there are a multitude of ways to support LYG and continue creating loving and supportive places for the kids in our community. Volunteering is always an option, whether you’re looking to go as a group or as an individual or for a one-time visit or a more regular schedule. Additionally, there are community-wide events to support, including the Glitter Gala, a large-scale annual fundraiser, this year scheduled for November 9.
At the end of the day, just helping to get the word out so more people are aware of the organization and its mission is also imperative to LYG’s continued success. Spread the word on social media, subscribe to the LYG mailing list and tell your friends you read this story so that more can come together to create a better world for the LGBTQ+ youth of Louisville and beyond.