The organization was founded in 2010 by Dr. William Long to provide a safe environment where LGBTQ+ young people and their allies could meet, interact, participate in educational and recreational activities, and obtain referrals to resources that would help promote their health safety and well-being.

Through their valuable work in the community, OUTRight Youth aims to create safer schools and communities for LGBTQ+ youth while providing a safe space for them to gather and learn skills directly benefiting their general and mental health. We aim to serve as a vehicle of change in our community by helping LGBTQ youth navigate adolescence and young adulthood in positive ways while educating others regarding the worth, value, and benefits of a diverse population.

“The Style Social is a community event, and community means everybody,” says our event producer, Melissa Crosson. “OUTright Youth is a nonprofit that’s very close to my heart. The work that OUTRight Youth does is both vital and deeply personal. In a world where LGBTQ+ youth face disproportionate challenges – from mental health struggles to family rejection to school bullying – having an organization dedicated to creating genuine safe spaces can be genuinly life changing.

“From the moment we started planning this show, I knew I wanted them involved. I couldn’t be happier that the OUTRight Youth team agreed to participate and share the invaluable work they’re doing in our local community.”

Be sure to stop by OUTRight Youth of Catawba County’s booth at The Style Social on August 9th and learn about the invaluable work being done by an organization that means so much to us.