WAYOUT LOS ANGELES

DONATE NOW

THIS YEAR

PAST RECIPIENTS

GALLERY

ABOUT wayOUT LOS ANGELES

wayOUT Los Angeles was founded in 2019 as the third local chapter in the wayOUT family. With chapter members from an incredibly diverse background, wayOUT LA has become a family to each other while staking a claim in the Los Angeles LGBTQ+ community.

It may be LaLaLand, but this group has their feet firmly on the ground and is ready to fundraise again this year.

LGBTQ IN LA

LGBT culture in Los Angeles has deep roots in the counterculture movement of the 1960s. Los Angeles endured the countercurrents of the 1960s as much as any other city in the country. More specifically, LA's Queer culture became visible and highly politicized in response to a string of violent bar raids that took place on Sunset Strip in the 60s. Today, West Hollywood may serve as the heart of the LGBTQ+ community in Los Angeles, but our chapter members come from all over the city to collaborate and work towards empowering queer youth.

Every gay and lesbian person who has been lucky enough to survive the turmoil of growing up is a survivor. Survivors always have an obligation to those who will face the same challenges.

— Bob Paris

THE TRANSFORMATION PROJECT

Sioux Falls, SD

MISSION:

To support and empower transgender youth, young adults, and their families while educating communities in SD and the surrounding region about gender identity and expression.

In the two and a half years The Transformation Project has been supporting and empowering queer youth across South Dakota, they have already made a huge impact, shown a deep commitment to intersectionality, and created a solid foundation on which to continue growing. Especially in light of new legislation threatening LGBTQ+ youth in South Dakota, wayOUT Los Angeles is proud to dedicate this year of fundraising to helping The Transformation Project expand to provide resources to the most rural corners of the state.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE TRANSFORMATION PROJECT

Button

VISION:

Where every young person knows they are loved, valued, and empowered to make their dreams come true.

VALUES:

Educate: We strive to educate our state about gender identity and gender expression and the issues facing the transgender population.
Support: We provide safe places, both in person and online, for transgender youth, young adults and their families to receive support, encouragement and mentorship.
Empower: Our training and resources are designed to empower individuals to be allies to the transgender community, and to lift up the lived experiences of transgender individuals and encourage them to be advocates for themselves and others.

IMPACT:

Over 200 welcome kits sent across the state
12 clients received a two-hour personal styling session and a week's worth of clothing in the first month of Marty's Closet

PROJECTS:

Marty's Closet provides a week's worth of clothing for all genders, ages and sizes, at no cost to the transgender community as well as a two-hour styling session with a personal stylist.
The Midwest Gender Identity Summit is the first of its kind in the tri-state area, and we are partnering with the largest healthcare system in the state in October 2022 to bring the third annual Summit to Sioux Falls with virtual attendance as an option.
Transforming South Dakota Magazine shares the personal stories of South Dakota transgender youth and young adults as well as educational resources such as vocabulary, statistics and articles from physicians, mental health providers and faith leaders.
Our Welcome Kits are sent out for youth up to age 18, young adults up to age 35 and parents/guardians of transgender kids and include helpful resources, a referal list, books, a trans flag and a $50 gift card for gender affirming undergarments.