Letter from the Executive Director

Growing up is difficult. Young people feel an overwhelming pressure to conform and to belong. All teenagers face challenges of developing social skills, dealing with academic pressure, decisions of drug and alcohol use, and questions of sexual maturity and risk. For young people facing these pressures, parents, peer groups and role models often provide the support and safety net they need, to guide them through difficult decisions.

At the very time in their lives when they need strong support from their parents and peers, gay youth struggle with isolation, stigmatization and lack of peer or family support. At the very point gay youth need friends and family to support them, they are often utterly alone and afraid to ask for help.

It is this isolation and lack of support that accounts for high rates of drug use, suicide attempts and risky sexual behavior. For example:

• Suicide is the leading cause of death among gay youth

• 26% of all gay youth report that their parents reject them due to their sexual orientation.

• Approximately 28% of gay youth drop out of high school because of discomfort (due to verbal and physical abuse) in the school environment.

Working with these and many other sexual minority youth in the Desert over many years is what G.A.Y. does better than any other organization or person! Growing up gay is, at best, very difficult and dangerous, but G.A.Y. is making a difference in the lives of GLBTQ youth, ages 14 to 24.

Sincerely,


Greg Wetmore
Executive Director

DIRECTORS
Heather Sacre - President
Kevin Bass - Past President
David Peet - Vice President
Kimberly Nichols - Secretary
Ted Briggs - Treasurer
Tim Clark
Rich Kravitz
Bill Nolan
Lesa Lorraine

STAFF
Greg Wetmore – Executive Director
Angela Kinley – Program Director

FOUNDERS
They believed in us from the beginning...
Vince Boiling * Tori St. Johns
Lewis Porter * Michael A. Leppen
Arthur H. Bernstein
Kevin Bass & Jay Weinert
Applebaum Family Foundation
Elizabeth Baker, Esq.
Palm Springs Leather Order of the Desert
Everett C. Taylor
Micheal Clark & Richard A. Coste
Ricardo Aguilar & Daniel Warn
Larry Birkett & Rick Smedstad
Bruce Goers & Wayne Williamson
Ivan Womboldt
Dr. Donald & Chris Northfelt
James Gaudineer & Angel Padilla
Gladys Bass * William Jones
Timoth Clark & Daniel Wright
Andy Linsky
Richard Taylor & Guy Lawson
Rodrigo Campo * Kevin S. Blessing
Kirvin Satterwhite & George Tucker
Frank Guida, Jr.
Walter Boyd & David Santee