About Us

The LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group is a regional community of LA Y LGBTQ+ staff, volunteers, and their allies who share information and resources through social activities and meaningful experiences. 

Our Goals

• Increase LGBTQ+ representation at the board level across all branches
• Participate in LA Pride 2023! We want a float! Will you help?
• Launch the first annual LGBTQ+ Family Camp experience at YMCA Camp Whittle

Join Us

Interested in joining the LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group? A sign up form will be available soon! In the meantime, email Megan Lewicki at MeganLewicki@ymcaLA.org to be invited to our next meeting.

Why Is It Important To Use Correct Pronouns?

Gender can be very important to someone’s sense of self. To incorrectly gender someone can cause the person to feel disrespected, alienated, or dysphoric (or a combination of the three). It is very important to know that you cannot visually tell someone’s gender. This means that you can also not visually tell if someone is transgender, non-binary, genderqueer, gender non- conforming, gender-variant, etc. Asking what pronouns someone uses in that specific space** can prevent emotional distress from happening, and sets an example of respect and inclusion. Read more...

LOVE IS LOVE.

LGBTQ+ Resources for Teens & Allies:

• Gay, Lesbian, & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) Student Action: GLSEN's mission is to ensure that every member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. GLSEN helps students drive positive change for the LGTBQ+ youth in schools and communities. 
• The Trevor Project: The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning youth. 
• Trans Lifeline: Trans Lifeline provides trans peer support for members of the community. 
• Q Card Project: The Q Card is a simply and easy-to-use communication tool designed to empower LGBTQ+ youth to become actively engaged in their health, and to support the people who provide their care. With input from queer youth, healthcare providers, and youth advocates, Q Card Project has created a tool that can change the way queer youth receive care, and hour their providers deliver it.  

Resources for Parents, Guardians, & Family Members of LGBTQ+ Youth: 

• The Family Acceptance Project: The Family Acceptance Project is a research, intervention, education, and policy initiative to prevent health and mental health risks for LGBTQ+ children and youth, including suicide, homelessness, drug use, and HIV.
• Parental Influence on Health of LGBTQ+ Teens
• Stop Bullying: Information for Parents