The SPOT
A Space to be Proud, Open, and Together

Chester County's LGBTQA Youth Group
Education, Advocacy, and Recreation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Queer Youth and Allies

Purpose
The mission of The SPOT is to provide an environment where LGBTQA youth can feel accepted and empowered and where sexual and gender identity can be embraced without fear of violence, harassment or judgment. The group promotes understanding and respect for all through education, support, advocacy, creative expression, and friendship.

What We Do
The SPOT incorporates a mix of educational programs such as safer sex, coming out, marriage equality, and relationships with recreational activities like feature films, game nights, fun with food, video game competitions, as well as guest speakers and field trips. All activities take place in a safe, comfortable space designed by LGBTQA youth.

Join Us
The SPOT meets every Thursday from 6:30—8:30 p.m. at Planned Parenthood of Chester County’s West Chester office, 8 South Wayne Street, West Chester, PA 19382.

The SPOT is open to all youth, ages 14—21

You can reach The SPOT at:

• 610.692.1770 ext. 108
• thespot@ppccpa.org
• www.myspace.com/thespot19382
• www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=10190834980
• 8 South Wayne Street, West Chester, PA 19382

Did You Know?

• 92% of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students in middle and high school report that they frequently or often hear homophobic remarks from their peers.
• Attempted suicide rates are over four times higher for lesbian, gay, and bisexual students; 33% report that they attempted suicide during the past year, compared with only 9% of all other students.
• Lesbian, gay, and bisexual students (16%) are twice as likely to have skipped school in the last month for safety concerns as other students (8%).

Statistics and citations can be found at www.siecus.org, on the Fact Sheet titled “At Risk and Ignored: The Reality for LGBTQ Youth in Schools”.

Resources

• PFLAG (parents/friends/family): 484.354.7386
• Trevor Helpline (crisis helpline): 1.866.488.8078, www.thetrevorproject.org
• BiUnity Philadelphia (social & support network): www.biunity.org
• GLBT Helpline: 1.888.340.4528
• Gay and Lesbian Counseling Service: 215.732.TALK
• Out Youth (talk line): 1.800.969.6884
• Transgender Health Action Coalition: 215.732.1207
• Youth Resource (by and for GLBTQ youth): www.youthresource.com
• Planned Parenthood of Chester County (healthcare, education, & advocacy): 1.800.230.PLAN

We Believe

At Planned Parenthood we believe that sexuality is a natural, healthy, life-long part of being human and that all people, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, have rights that need to be respected. We believe that every individual has a right to openly express oneself without fear, shame, or exploitation. The creation of a Space to be Proud, Open, and Together embraces these beliefs.

People Are Talking

“The group is a safe (physical as well as emotional) space for my daughter. She can talk openly about anything, she can meet other teens who struggle with coming out, she can be her authentic self. I know that at The SPOT she’ll begin widening her social circle and her social conscious. She will have more than just her father and I in her corner, she’ll have new friends and additional supportive adults in her life.”
- Sarah, Parent

“The SPOT is important because it offers a support system to those without one, a ‘home’ for the ‘homeless’, so to speak.”
-Andrew, Youth

“As a professional who works with youth I feel adults and the community have a responsibility to offer support and resources to all youth. The SPOT meets an identified need in the community, and is a real asset to young people who, in addition to struggling with all the regular teen hurdles, have the additional challenges of identifying as LGBTQA.”
-Tom, Professional

Support Us

The SPOT is a free program that is funded entirely through community support. If you would like to make a gift supporting The SPOT, please contact our Development Office at 610.692.1770 ext. 201 or ppchestercty.dev@ppccpa.org. Secure, online donations can also be made here. Thank you!

“A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.”
- Walter Winchell