ABOUT wayOUT BAY AREA

As San Francisco is synonymous with the gay liberation movement, so too is  the Bay Area with the history of wayOUT. The story goes that when the founding members of wayOUT first met with the executive director of our first Grant Recipient (Magic City Acceptance Center), the group fantasized about what would be possible if they raised $20,000. Six months later, the chapter raised over $100,000 which was more than double the annual operating budget of the center. The magic created that night has continued to spread to ten organizations sponsored by four cities with the original Bay Area chapter leading the charge. 

Today, the Bay Area has pioneered new events and projects supporting LGBTQ+ youth such as a Pride brunch and a gorgeous coloring book in response to Covid-19. In total, the funds raised by the Bay Area account for nearly 50% of wayOUT's total grants.

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wayOUT is incredibly grateful for the support of the Bay Area and looks forward to the future. Join us for our first ever virtual Gayla on November 12th, 2020.

We raised over $128k for LGBTQ+ youth last year. Help us do it again!

THANK YOU TO OUR 2020 GAYLA PERFORMERS

All young people, regardless of sexual orientation or identity, deserve a safe and supportive environment in which to achieve their full potential.

— Harvey Milk

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wayOUT  leadership award

wayOUT Bay Area is proud to announce Julie Wilensky as the first ever recipient of the wayOUT Bay Area Leadership Award. Click on the to the left to learn more about Julie's incredible contributions and submit your nominee for this year's recipient below!

chapter values

WAYOUT BAY AREA X ONE•N•TEN

wayOUT Bay Area has selected one•n•ten in Phoenix, AZ as its 2020 Grant Recipient. 

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one•n•ten is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving and assisting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth ages 14 to 24. From weekly discussion groups to fun, social networking events, one•n•ten create a safe space, mentally and physically, for youth of all socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. They also offer resources to promote healthy choices and living.

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Youth with particular needs have the option to speak with peers or volunteers one-on-one, in a supervised setting. one•n•ten provides youth with a variety of tools and opportunities to improve self-esteem and self-acceptance.

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one•n•ten envisions a world where all LGBTQ youth and young adults are embraced for who they are, actively engaged in their communities, and empowered to lead. They enhance their lives by providing empowering social and service programs that promote self‐expression, self‐acceptance, leadership development, and healthy life choices.

PREVIOUS GRANT RECIPIENTS

In 2019, wayOUT Bay Area raised $128,000 for Zebra Coalition in Orlando, Florida. In addition to supporting addition youth, Zebra Coalition was able to use the wayOUT grant to hire their first ever development manager who is now responsible for raising an additional $82,000 to expand Zebra Coalition's lifesaving services.

2018 marked the Bay Area's sophomore year as a wayOUT chapter. Partnering with Time Out Youth in Charloette, NC, wayOUT raised over $100,000 to empower LGBTQ+ youth. Time Out Youth Center offers support, advocacy, and opportunities for personal development and social interaction to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ) youth ages 11-20.

At the first ever wayOUT Gayla, we raised $127,000 for Magic City Acceptance Center in Birmingham, AL. The grant allowed for a three year contract for a full-time case manager expanding services for over 584 new LGBTQ+ youth. We remain incredibly proud of and connected to MCAC and the impact they have had on their community.