(Photo: Safe Space NOVA)
ALEXANDRIA,VA- Did you know that 10% of students who identify as LGBT+ were threatened or injured with a weapon on school property? Or that 34% were bullied on school property? If you didn’t know that, you are not alone. Those stats come from the Center for Disease control in 2015 which surveys the state of physical and mental health of LGBT+ youth.
Safe Space NOVA is dedicated to providing a safe, accepting, and supportive environment to combat social stigmas, bullying, and other challenges faced by LGBT+ youth. The ultimate goal is to ensure 14–18-year olds in the Northern Virginia area have access to an organization and activities that promote equality.
On Saturday, September 14, from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. at The Garden, located at 5380 Eisenhower Avenue (Suite C) in Alexandria, Safe Space NOVA will host its first Brunch Fundraiser, and the public is encouraged to buy tickets and attend to help the organization.
One approach to combat bullying and ridicule is to foster safe, accepting and supportive environment with other youth that are experiencing the same challenges along with adults who identify as LGBT. It is for that reason Safe Space NOVA was created. Founding Executive Director, Jordan L. Costen, realized that there was no place for LGBT+ youth who were feeling unloved and possibly rejected by society simply because of their gender identity or sexual orientation to feel safe. To that point he made a space for that to occur.
Safe Space NOVA was founded in 2016 with the goal of inviting LGBT+ youth across Northern Virginia to include the City of Alexandria, Arlington County, Fairfax County, Prince William County and Loudoun County, to participate in social activities that are inviting, fun and most of all safe. To date the organization has hosted numerous activities to include movie socials, laser tag, miniature golf and dances to name a few. For more information, visit www.safespacenova.org
