About Us

Support, Community, Advocacy, Outreach and Education

We are a social and support group for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Teenagers and For Those Questioning Their Sexual Orientation.

We seek to collaborate with other community organizations and individuals to open a civil discussion, discourage violence, help families deal with their questions, keep kids healthy and in school, offer a referral source for youth-service professionals, give teenagers access to supportive community, and maybe even save lives. Education around equity issues is a first step towards improving our community's quality of life.

Speakers Bureau

In 2009 our Speakers gave 27 presentations on sexual orientation and human rights. Two staff & 12 youth spoke on panels addressing 1120 students and adults, including teachers, administrators, social workers, counselors, and youth workers. We staffed informational tables at regional youth fairs, conferences and Pride Fests.

Advocacy

Besides social support, we provided assistance with housing, employment, tutoring, access to a counselor, and advocacy in the schools. We continue to encourage participation in group and on the speakers' panel.

In 2002 Together staff worked with representatives from the Duluth school district and PAVSA (Program for Aid to Victims of Sexual Assault) to specifically include sexual orientation in the public schools' anti-harassment policy. The school board voted to approve the procedures and trainings recommended by the committee. This is a great step forward in systemic change and should result in profound change in the school atmosphere. In 2003 Together staff and youth joined professionals who work with youth and other concerned citizens in forming the GLBT Safer Schools Task Force. Our mission is to increase visibility and support for GLBT students and staff in regional educational institutions. In 2004 SSTF-affiliated graduate students administered school climate evaluations in four Duluth and Two Harbors High Schools. The results were included in a training that we offered in both school districts. In 2006 the task force presented in-service trainings on GLBT Issues in the Schools to school staff in Proctor, Hermantown, Two Harbors, and Silver Bay. In 2007 we received our first request for middle school staff training in Duluth, and we provided assistance in setting up gay-straight alliances in Proctor and Cloquet high schools. In Spring of 2008 we helped youth in Hibbing High School obtain permission for a gay-straight alliance, and we presented an all staff training there in August. In 2009 we helped connect Superior High School staff with Wisconsin based diversity training specifically in regard to transgender issues in the schools. Support, information, and referrals were provided to regional gay straight alliance sponsors and to a newly forming group on the Range. We consulted by email and phone with several concerned parents and youth calling from other parts of the state.