LGBTQ 101

LGBTQ+ youth are currently have a high risk for suicidality and substance misuse. With that in mind, ASAP has joined with A Safe Place, Health Imperatives - Nantucket and the Unitarian Universalist Meeting House to bring more awareness of the needs of the LGBTQ+ community, and actively support family and friends of those who identify as LGBTQ+. Our first public event was held on January 29, 2020 at the Atheneum featuring Tracy McKay, Program Manager from the Greater Boston PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) Chapter located in Waltham, MA.

Tracy's informative presentation gave attendees a vocabulary lesson, tips on how to use more inclusive language (regardless of how the people you speak with identify) and what to do/say when you just don't know what to do/say. The attendees had lots of questions to ask and Tracy happily answered all she could and provided resources for folks to learn more on their own.

While on island Tracy also spoke with the faculty of Nantucket High School, the Gay/Straight Alliance at the High School, Nantucket New School students and faculty, and the Nantucket Cottage Hospital staff. Feedback from all organizations was very positive and we hope to have Tracy back to reach more organizations in the future.