LGBTQ Youth Center Coming

Durham to Open LGBTQ+ Youth Center

The City of Durham has awarded the LGBTQ Center of Durham $113,501 through Participatory Budgeting. Participatory Budgeting (PB) is a democratic process in which community members directly decide how to spend part of a public budget. In 2018, the Durham City Council allocated $2.4 million dollars to implement participatory budgeting in the City of Durham.

The Proposal

The LGBTQ Center of Durham proposal was for the creation of an LGBTQ+ Youth Center that will allow the current center to expand its mission to intentionally focus on the City of Durham’s LGBTQ+ youth population. This center will function as the singular physical hub of LGBTQ+ youth resources that currently scatter the city and increase their reach. The space will value and honor youth leadership and wisdom while focusing on enhancing individual agency and empowerment. It will also feature targeted programming and educational events designed to support youth in the development of positive self-concept, resiliency, building social and vocational skills, and leadership skills.

Vision

The LGBTQ+ Youth Center is slated to open in 2020 at the same location as the LGBTQ Center of Durham. The Youth Center will have ample space for programming, access to meeting rooms, a full-time staff member, and access to all the resources fo the LGBTQ Center of Durham. Meetings with other LGBTQ youth organizations will commence in February 2020 to build a collective vision for the utilization of the space.