Mission Statement

The Mission of Outright Vermont is to build safe, healthy, and supportive environments for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning youth.

Outright Vermont (ORVT) is one of the longest standing queer organizations in Vermont and the only one that works specifically with young people. By striving to empower queer youth, model positive cross-generational learning and leadership, and to address lateral oppressions including racism, classism, and heterosexism, ORVT is building a safer, healthier, and more supportive world for all young people.

Founded in 1989 by local gay and lesbian activists, ORVT helped to create visibility, support, and advocacy throughout the 90s for the queer youth community in Vermont. Our work has now expanded to encompass Education and Outreach, Health and Wellness, Direct Services, and Social Justice Organizing. ORVT is now one of the few independant, queer-youth only, organzations in the United States which still provides both Direct Service and Education & Outreach services.

Vision

We envision a world of compassion, love, and understanding where:

*all young people's lives are celebrated;
*young queer people are given the information and tools to make healthy life decisions, especially concerning intimacy and sexual relationships;
*bullying, taunting, harassment, and other forms of oppression are not tolerated; and
*nonconforming gender roles and sexuality are no longer targeted as justifications to be cruel, dominate, or control others.

Our programs, groups, and services (unless otherwise stated) are for young LGBTQ (or queer) people, ages 22 and under. During business hours this space is a working office. (While staff are always accessible, they may not always be available. Please ask for time, instead of assuming time.)

While in our space we ask that all youth, staff, and volunteers follow these guidelines:

• This is a place to feel comfortable, relax, and have fun! Please treat it with respect.
• Respect other people and their belongings.
• Assume good intentions.
• Confidentiality covers everyone.
• Own your actions: What you do, how you behave, and what you say can and will impact others.
• Keep it safe: No drug or alcohol use before or during your time here; no touching or talking with the intent to arouse; and no physical or emotional violence in the space.

Those who individually or collectively jeopardize the safety of our space or those who are inappropriately using our space will be asked to leave until they can honor those guidelines.

Why use "Queer"?

Since the late 1990s, Outright Vermont youth and younger generations of queer youth have used the word queer as a term of empowerment and unification, intending to include within this term the larger lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) community.

We recognize and honor that the word queer is still very hurtful for some members of the LGBTQ community. We believe that this term will continue to become less wounding and more empowering through reclaiming it and through further community education.

Outright Vermont encourages people to recognize their personal intent when using identity terms such as "queer" and to dialogue about the power of these terms.