Ep. 218: The Heart of Tacoma’s Queer Youth Community
EQ: What role do queer youth centers play in the community and what unique challenges do they face in the current political climate?
Guest: Wayne Rowser, Oasis Youth Center
In this episode, Hope and Annie sit down with a longtime advocate and community leader from Oasis Youth Center to talk about what “queer” means today and why spaces like Oasis are so important for Tacoma’s LGBTQ+ youth. We explore the history of the organization, how it began, the programs it offers, and the key role of a drop-in coordinator in creating safety and belonging. Our guest reflects on years of volunteering with queer organizations, how that work has evolved, and how it has shaped their own understanding of identity and community. We also discuss what it’s like to lead a queer youth organization in today’s political climate, how young people are experiencing it, and how it influences Oasis’s work. As the school year begins, our guest shares practical advice for educators and families on supporting LGBTQ+ students and offers meaningful ways the Tacoma community can show up for Oasis and the youth it serves.
👎🏻RFK Jr. continues to be on his BS, directing the department of Health and Human Services to slash $122 million from 200 different research initiatives focused on DEI and LGBTQ+ issues.
🥂The National Institutes of Health has just awarded a major grant to doctors and scientists at Oregon Health Sciences University to study the health outcomes of three people from various places in the world who were unexpectedly cured of HIV after receiving stem cell transplants for cancer. P
🥂Tiktok/Instagramer sharing how to prepare if Obergefell v. Hodges will be review & overturned
Do Your Fudging Homework:
Hope: Put your money where you beliefs are
Annie: Whether you live in Tacoma or elsewhere, find an organization like Oasis that you can support with a donation of your money, resources, or time.
Wayne: support local small businesses; support local performers/drag queens (The Hause of Lyfe)