We Are Everywhere Tour: Equalizing Rural Oregon

Website

http://www.equalizeit.org

How would you cultivate a deeper relationship with the community you’d like to serve?

Equalize and Project: Believe in Me are youth-focused organizations based in Portland, OR. Both founders have spent their lives in larger cities, giving them different experiences than youth in less populated and rural areas. We want to speak to youth across Oregon in towns like La Grande, Medford, and Stayton, as well as smaller areas that have more support for youth like Bend and Pendleton (in conjunction with the Human Dignity Coalition and PFLAG, respectively) to hear from them what it's like to live outside of a big city. We will ask them questions about their experiences being LGBTQ-identified or allies, as well as with bullying. In GLSEN's 2009 School Climate Survey, only 26% of the participants were from rural areas and they were 20% less likely to have administrative support with issues like bullying. We want to know how our organizations and others can best help them from afar, as well as what tools we can provide them to bring positive changes to their own communities.

How would you use the $1,000 to turn your idea into a reality?

With $1,000, we will easily be able to cover our travel costs to several locations throughout the state, as the folks at Equalize are pros at low-cost touring after going on several concert tours. We are planning on visiting at least five areas to interview youth, both one-on-one and in groups. In addition, we will use the money to print materials youth can distribute in their schools and communities as well as provide snacks during our interviews and some small prizes for participation.

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