Lotus Rising Project
Programs:

Jump to a specific program:
Not Straight Not Sure:
Serves youth ages 14-25 with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. NSNS started in 2001 after being part of the Abdill-Ellis Center under the name of Southern Oregon Youth Outreach or SOYO. Two meetings a month occur, including a support group and social group. As a youth moves through these groups, they help with other NSNS projects, such as: planning the yearly community education project; attending and volunteering at social justice events in the area; attending leadership trainings; being part of NSNS’ Speakers Bureau; working on the Southern Oregon GSA project, and planning and facilitating the All Ages Alternative Prom.
Southern Oregon Gay-Straight Alliance Support Network:
Originated in 2008, supported by the Equity Foundation, and works in collaboration with the Oregon GSA Network. The Network holds two trainings & networking sessions per year to assist GSAs in leadership training and group maintenance. Presently, we are working with four schools in Jackson & Josephine counties who have GSAs. In the future, the Network will help students and advisors develop GSAs in schools that are interested in creating one.

Project Need:
The need for this project is simple – high school-aged youth are not safe “coming out” in southern Oregon schools.
  • National research in 2005 indicates that 31 percent of gay and gender variant youth were threatened or injured at school. Derogatory remarks, such as "faggot" or "dyke" were heard frequently at schools by 75. 4% of students as well as 89.2% of students reported hearing "that's so gay" or "you're so gay" - meaning stupid or worthless- frequently or often. 1 NSNS youth express that these statistics are similar to their own experiences in southern Oregon schools.
  • Another marker for this project’s need is the institutional heterosexism and homophobia in the educational system in southern Oregon. In 2006, NSNS called fifteen area schools to schedule outreach appointments with school counselors and only two schools responded positively and allowed NSNS members to visit. Paradoxically, more students are coming “out” due to a false sense of security gained by the increase in pro-LBGTIQQ media saturation, the sprouting of pro-LBGTIQQ groups, and political freedoms afforded by the Oregon legislature; however, safety is not yet prevalent in the education system.
  • The NSNS adult facilitator has answered increased calls for support services for youth in schools over the past two years.


Project Goals:
  • To create and/or support GSA’s in southern Oregon schools.
  • To reduce bullying and violence against LBGTIQQ youth in those high schools.

Project Objectives:
  • To market to all high schools in the area and organize/support at least six GSA’s in the first year.
  • To offer training on creating safe schools and serve as a resource if problems occur.

Anticipated Impact:
With the creation of GSA’s in these schools, the students will be afforded support when discriminatory events occur. Many GSA’s also begin to work on safety precautions and policy with their administration. History shows that when a GSA becomes part of the school’s fabric, institutionalized and individual heterosexism and homophobia decreases.2 A reduction in bullying and violence towards LBGTIQQ would also be a result. Built into this project is a networking meeting which will allow students at different schools to meet and support one another in organizing and facilitating events. This part of the project allows for another layer of support for those involved and should yield increased self-esteem and social contacts for the youth. Statistics prove that students who are active in GSA’s have higher grade point averages, skip less school and have an increased interest in post secondary education.
Food Bank and Free Box:
Started when the group became NSNS. Food, clothing and used laptops are offered through this program. The box rotates at each meeting. We have an ongoing volunteer who finds, fixes & upgrades the computers.

If you are interested in making a donation please contact usLRP@lotusrisingproject.orgor call us at 1 (800) 466-7005 x3
.