Youth Organization For Newton LGBTQ Kids, Seeks Input

NEWTON, MA — When an area nonprofit started programming to support high school students who identify as LGBTQ back in 2011, it got calls from parents asking for something similar for middle schoolers. Then, when OUT MetroWest started the first program in the state for middle schoolers, the calls came in from parents and guardians asking for support and programming for children in elementary and preschool. So now, armed with a new grant, that's just what they intend to do.

But first, the group needs a little help. OUT MetroWest is asking Newton parents to help them identify the needs of children who might not conform to traditional gender identity and their families.

"We have families who tell us 'my boy is very sparkly,' or I have a tomboy, or my kid is saying that they are a boy and I always thought they were a girl," said Julie Blazar, OUT MetroWest’s director of communications in a phone interview.

The American Academy of Pediatrics indicates that most people have a sense of their gender identity before they're 4.

"We have families calling us and saying what preschool can I send my kid to, what daycare can I send them to where they're going to be welcomed, where they're going to use the right pronouns? said Blazar. "We know that long term the outcomes for them are much better particularly in terms of mental health if [children's identities] are affirmed when they are younger."

So, OUT MetroWest, which administers programs for LGBTQ youth in grades six through 12 across the MetroWest area including, Newton, is gathering the information to help provide programming for children in preschool through grade five.

The organization is asking parents and guardians to join them for a focus-group style conversation at the Newton library to offer feedback on the issues facing their children and families.

OUT MetroWest staff will facilitate a conversation, which is intended for adults who are raising "gender expansive" children who are sometimes referred to as gender non- conforming. Those include children who are transgender and those whose gendered behaviors or appearance simply fall outside of typical societal expectations.

"Some of these children will grow up to be transgender and others won’t, and they all need happy, safe places to be themselves when they’re young," said Blazar.

The Foundation for MetroWest’s Youth in Philanthropy gave the organization a $4,570 grant to make the program possible. Currently, half the organization's programs are situated in Framingham and the remainder is split between Wellesley, where the organization was founded in 2011 and Newton.

The group operates a middle school program out of Eliot church in Newton and one in Framingham. So far this year the program serves about 60 LGBTQ middle schoolers.

There are two types of programming at the organization, according to Blazer. There's a youth group style program, think: scouting. There are adult advisers who oversee and plan semi structured activities for youth. And there's also a center, similar to a youth center. In Framingham, anyone can drop in after school, sit and do homework, hang out, or partake of social supportive programs. The organization is mainly funded by donations from individuals and foundations.

The July 23 focus group will be held in the library’s Druker Auditorium, Tuesday, July 23 at the Newton Free Library.

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).