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BreakOUT youth Instagram

Youth Programs and Services

BreakOUT Youth is The OUTreach Centers high school youth program.  Currently, BreakOUT is hosting once a month meeting for youth aging 14-17.  If you are an LGBT youth or parent of an LGBTQ+ youth and would like to meet with our friendly youth specialists,  Contact BreakOUT@OUTreachCenterAV.org for more information.
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Youth (and parent) mentoring is available for LGBTQ+ students.  Contact BreakOUT@OUTreachCenterAV.org ​ for more information.

Are and LGBTQ+ youth looking for an on-line place to connect with other LGBT+ youth?  Checkout: Q Chat Space:
​www.qchatspace.org/
Tips for Coming Out
Be patient with yourself. It’s not necessary to tell everyone at once. Take your time.  Don’t push yourself.
  1. Start small. It can be easier to start by telling friends than by telling family.
  2. Find allies in your family. If you think a brother or sister or cousin will be easier to tell, start there.
  3. Develop a support network of friends who are accepting and supportive.
  4. Be positive. When you come out to someone, you set the tone.
  5. Find resources or get a mentor to talk to.
  6. Don’t come out in anger or retaliation.
  7. Be patient with others. Some people take longer to digest the information than others.
  8. Realize that others may need some time to adjust.
  9. Be firm. Identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) or whatever word you
    use, if you’re sure.
  10. Assess the situation. If you’re unsure of your own sexual orientation or gender identity,
    find someone who can help support you during this time. Be aware that different people will have very different responses. Finding someone who will support you and also allow you to discover your own identity will be very helpful.
  11. Ask LGBT friends to share their coming out stories.
  12. Refer parents and friends to PFLAG or other resources that might help.
  13. Be prepared for different types of reactions.
“Tips” are Adapted from UCLA LGBT Center Out on Campus

Local School Contacts:

  • Eastside High School Pride Alliance -  Adrian Cincis, Brittany Ebeltoft, & Matt Henriquez, Co-Advisors.
  • Highland High School Gay-Straight Alliance-  Carolyn Cardillio, Advisor:  CCardillio@avhsd.org
  • 🏳‍🌈Lancaster High School Gay-Straight Alliance- Rose Max Advisor: rmax@avhsd.org 
  • 🏳‍🌈Little Rock High School Lobo Pride Club - Mx. Wood: tcwood@avhsd.org
  • 🏳‍🌈Quartz Hill High School Genders & Sexualities Alliance-   Jim Trumps (JSTrumps@avhsd.org)
  • Pete Knight High School Gay-Straight Alliance-  Kristin Powell, Advisor:  KPowell@avhsd.org
  • Palmdale Aerospace Academy Pride and Acceptance Club - Leslie Evans, Maggie Peng, and Anna Haynes, advisors:  levans@tpaa.org 
  • 🏳‍🌈Palmdale High School Gay-Straight Alliance-  Takako Hankins, Advisor:  thankins@avhsd.org
  • Saugus High School Gay-Straight Alliance- https://www.facebook.com/shsgsa Tere La Giusa, Advisor:  tlagiusa@hartdistrict.org
  • SOAR High School Queer Alliance- Katy Nelsen, Advisor: KNelsen@avhsd.org  
  • Palmdale Academy Charter School Gay-Straight Alliance - Eva Alonza-Ayon, Advisor:  ealonzoayon@palmdalesd.org 
  • 🏳‍🌈Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) Santa Clarita Valley:  They meet the 4th Wednesday of each month at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 24901 Orchard Village Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91321 at 7:00pm.  Their contact number is 661-254-2177
Is your school's GSA Club missing from this list?  Email Jim@OUTreachCenterAV.org your contact information and we'll add you ASAP!

Downloadable Resources

California Student Safety and Violence Prevention Act Fact Sheet (AB 537)
File Size: 157 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
California Comprehensive Sexual Health Education LAW (SB 71)
File Size: 116 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
ACLU of CA Guide for Student Rights
File Size: 5128 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
GSA Annual Resource Manual (2017)
File Size: 1994 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
2020 GSA-NetWork Advisor's Handbook
File Size: 3470 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Other Resources