'MO - August 2008 - (Page 14)

community click here to comment on these stories. Lambert House: A Community Home to Call My Own By michael ricci Growing up gay, as any homosexual will tell you, can be an ordeal. Many LGBTQ people felt isolated and alone, often hiding out of fear of persecution. And in today’s gay generation, with its cyber bullying and YouTube pranks, it’s gotten harder to hide in the closet. Lambert House, Northwest Washington’s largest activity and resource center, is looking to change that. “Lambert House is a unique community where LGBTQ youth are the norm,” says Ken Shulman, the center’s executive director. “It is the only place where they are the norm.” Lambert House, which was founded in 1981, offers a unique haven for LGBTQ youths who are sometimes dealt a difﬁcult hand. The center provides educational, health, and social activities for youngsters, who’d often times shy into the background. Here, youths between the ages of 11 and 22 are allowed to be themselves without harassment or bullying due to their sexual identity. In 2007 alone, more than 500 LGBTQ youths were helped out—a small number of those were runaways and homeless. The center also provides for youngsters who need “breathing space” from the difﬁculties of their everyday lives and uneducated families. Parents have even sought out Lambert House, realizing the importance of their children belonging to a community. The educational programs include academic internships, health seminars, and domestic violence classes; and other activities—in part- Photo creDit: michaeL LehmaN Executive Director Ken Shulman outside Lambert House at 1818 15th Avenue, Seattle. nership with the Downtown Seattle YMCA—are nightly dinners, movie night, art night, concert outings, and dances. Shulman adds, “Lambert House gives LGBTQ youth a safe place to be themselves and to make friends. It assists LGBTQ youth in developing the self-esteem necessary to advocate for themselves.” Read more about Lambert House at www.lamberthouse.org. at 25, michael ricci is an award-winning playwright. he’s worked as a journalist for instinct magazine, mtV’s afterelton.com, and several other gay publications. Not fine dining, Give in to the temptation just a fine diner. Eden A Garden Party benefiting Gay City Health Project Thursday, August 14, 2008 / 6 - 8pm in Seattle’s Blueridge Neighborhood $1 MILLER & $350 WELLS MON-FRI 3-7PM HAPPY HOUR Take in the amazing views of Puget Sound as we enjoy hors d’ouevres and cocktails. A request for your generous contribution will be made. RSVP Required. Please email peter@gaycity.org. OPEN 24 HOURS FRI & SAT O P E N 7 D AY S A W E E K BREAKFAST - LUNCH - DINNER B R E A K FA S T A L L D AY E V E RY D AY 526 QUEEN ANNE AVE SEATTLE WA 98109 206 285 9728 14 celebrating seattle’s gay community http://www.lamberthouse.org http://AfterElton.com http://www.gaycity.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of 'MO - August 2008

'MO - August 2008 Contents Letter From The Editor Voices Coors Joins the Fight to Erase Hate Pet Project ’mo-BIZ: Ajaxx63 Northern Xposure Returns Lambert House Offers Youth Support Beijing, China The 2008 Gay Softball World Series in Seattle Form & Function: Vacation Nutrition An Account of the STP Bicycle Classic Book Review: Family Outing by Troy Johnson Capitol Hill Guide Live Event Review: Teatro ZinZanni’s Quest for a Queendom SceneOut: People@Places

'MO - August 2008

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