As 2009 ends, Outright looks back on what was a very busy, record-breaking year  — for Outright and our Youth.   This summary of some of 2009 accomplishments celebrates the trust of our community partners, the generosity of our donors, the confidence of our grants, the hard work of our Staff, and the dedication to our Mission of our Board, volunteers and allies.

But above all, it celebrates the Youth – who are amazing and who deserve the very best from all of us.

2009 Accomplishments for Outright & our Youth:

• More queer youth served. 50% increase in youth turnout at Outright
• More Vermont youth educated. 2,900 youth at 113 anti-bullying presentations and GSA mtgs
• More youth reached through health workshops. 20 Sass Academy seminars
• More free HIV testing with three testers in-office and Oraquick testing provided
• More GSAs across Vermont. 4 new GSAs joined our GSA Network, for a total of 24 in VT
• More local and national media coverage. Three national Associate Press stories about Outright & our youth in ’09
• More  outside of Chittenden County events. Counties reached with sustained programs (Rutland, Brattleboro)
• Second Safe Schools Report Card
• Largest GSA Conference in Outright History
• Largest Youth Pride in Outright history
• Largest Queer Prom in Outright History
• First state-wide gender neutral bathroom campaign in the United States
• First Gendertopia – gender-based afterschool program in America
• First UVM MSW Intern added to Outright staff
• First ever Youth Awards Dinner
• Second Vermont Pride Youth Zone Tent
• Second Night of Noise, following Day of Silence actions
• Partnership with the Northlands Job Corps Center in Vergennes
• Partnership with the Worker’s Center in Burlington
• Partnership with Safe Space and RU12 Community Center
• Partnership with Freedom to Marry Task Force
• New Monthly Rutland Bowling Nights
• New Gender and Java program statewide
• Outright Youth Named “Top 40 under 40” in Advocate Magazine
• Outright Youth Named to “OUT 100” list in OUT Magazine
• Outright represented at National March on Washington 2009
• Largest number of youth Board members
• Largest number of interns (6) ever
• Held Winter Party
• Held MasQueerAde Dance 2009
• Joined Vermont Suicide Prevention Coalition
• Joined National Safe Schools Roundtable
• Joined Federal Stop Bullying Now campaign
• Largest fundraising year to-date
• Selected as a member of the 2009 state Cyberbullying working group
• Served as a member of the state’s HIV prevention roundtable
• Welcomed Speaker Shap Smith to speak at our Youth Awards Dinner
• Youth Addresses Governor Douglas during Visibility Day