Title: Introduction to LYRIC Services
Location: Audre Lorde Room, The Women’s Building
Time: doors open at 6:30, program starts at 7:00pm
Date: Tuesday, Oct 12
Tickets: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/132213

Lavender Youth Recreation & Information Center (LYRIC) is a community center for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQQ) youth. This presentation contains a brief history of LYRIC, an overview of their services, why the work LYRIC does is important, and how to make referrals. The workshop also includes a fun, interactive, activity that gives a feel for the work they do!

Jay Maldonado is a transgender, bi-cultural, Latino transplant from the east coast. A native of New Jersey, he started his career as fundraiser. After years of wine and cheese events, he was moved by the need to connect with clients. In August of 2005, Jay began to work for a small community based organization in Newark, New Jersey where he found his calling managing programs for recently emigrated families. After four years directing Family Literacy programs in Newark, NJ, Jay decided it was time for a change of scenery and moved to San Francisco. Since arriving to the bay area Jay has coordinated Summer Reading, Parenting, and After School Programs in the San Francisco’s Mission District. Jay received his Master’s in Public Administration and brings extensive experience in program development to his role as Director of Social Change at Lyric. He prides himself on creating culturally sensitive programs that aim to build confidence, responsibility, and life skills in youth. In his free time Jay enjoys his yoga practice, attending art events, and expanding his circle of fierce trans folk trying to make a difference!

Alex Karson is a hip, energetic firecracker who is a youth activist and social justice cheerleader through and through. Prior to her work at LYRIC she worked as a youth advocate for youth experiencing violence in their homes, as a comprehensive sexuality educator, and ran groups for young women in the juvenile justice system. Alex graduated with a BA in Feminist Studies from The University of California, Santa Cruz, where she not only spent her time hugging trees but immersing herself in theories of anti-oppression. On her free time she enjoys teaching yoga, scuba diving and cooking delicious dinners.

A: Aren’t dreams amazing? So, what you have experienced is only a dream. Just as simple as that. There’s nothing wrong with feeling interested in kissing a girl or a boy. You are 14 years old and are still getting used to your body, and other feelings that come up. Fantasies are fun to have. Figuring out if you really like boys or girls in reality is something you have lots of time to do. What you are experiencing is pretty normal, and just realize that there are other girls and boys who might feel the same way. Again, its normal to have dreams and also to wonder what is the right path for you.

A: Thank you for your question. It is not uncommon for one to question their sexuality at some point. While we cannot tell you whether you are straight or gay, there are a few things you may want to take into consideration.

First of all, sexuality is not black and white. You do not necessarily have to choose between gay or straight. There are other identities, such as bisexual or queer, to consider. Perhaps you have an attraction to boys and girls.

Additionally, you may not have connected with the last girl you dated for several reasons, beyond just your sexuality. The feelings you have for your male friends may be sexual, or they may not be. You may want to try exploring these feelings in order to determine whether they are sexual, or not. Most people experiment with people of both sexes at some point in their lives before they become secure in their sexual identity. Given some time to think about your attractions, it should help you figure out what you would like for now.

A: There really isn’t a way of knowing by looking if a man is bisexual or not. The only way to know for sure is to ask his sexual preference. Some might say no, others might say they prefer both sexes.

As for gay men having sex with women? It depends on them. Sexual identity is something each person designates for themselves. If a gay man might want to experiment, he might do it with a female friend he knows and trusts. In general, not many gay men have sex with women.