Hope Haven

Hope Haven is a ministry to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) youth in the South Tulsa area. Volunteers trained by Youth Services of Tulsa facilitate weekly support and education group meetings, sponsor recreational activities for GLBT youth and provide emergency counseling services to families of gay youth in crisis.

The suicide rate for gay and lesbian teens is much higher than that of the general teen population. They need accurate, unbiased information about sexuality and sexually transmitted diseases. Gay and lesbian youth frequently get kicked out of their homes just because of their sexual orientation. Discriminating against GLBT humans still is legally acceptable and recognized as a social norm by many. One youth who attends Hope Haven was so bullied and harassed in his suburban middle school that he did not attend the last two weeks of school.

For these reasons and many others, gay youth need role models who demonstrate love, acceptance, support and concern. Members of Hope Unitarian Church and others concerned about the challenges facing gay youth are encouraged to learn more about contributing to this program by contacting Youth Services of Tulsa at 918-587-1300.