Based on a desire to “do something queer more than once a month,” in March, the Miscellaneous Youth Network(MYN) launched the Mosaic Youth Group for gay, bi, queer, lesbian, questioning, trans-identified or two-spirited youth, ages 10–25.
“We wouldn’t turn away anyone,” says James Demers, who has sat on the MYN board since its inception. “The organization kept me in high school. …It gave me someone to go to, something to do; an outlet for the frustrations I was going through.”
Demers was kicked out of his home when he came out to his parents at the age of 15, and still managed to graduate with scholarships; something he says would most likely not have been possible had he not met the MYN director and become the first youth member of the board.
Now Demers is giving back in the best way possible: being there for other youth feeling displaced or simply in need of a peer group that is understanding and safe.
The Mosaic Youth Group meets every Wednesday at the Old Y to discuss queer issues, attend educational workshops, watch theme-relevant films, or to just hang out and have fun. Demers says Mosaic is a culmination of all the years of growth and affiliations the MYN has acquired, and its biggest project to date.
The meetings are alcohol and drug free and there is a three strikes policy on infringements of respecting others physically or mentally. Mosaic has zero tolerance for bi or trans-phobia.
“You have a right to self-identification, self-label, or no label,” says Demers.
One meeting a month is dedicated to a “fieldtrip” activity. In April the group went roller skating and in July they will have a family-friendly barbeque and carwash fundraiser. Every third month Mosaic offers a friends, family and straight allies night, which youth are only encouraged to attend if comfortable.
Mosaic is completely self-funded, which allows the group the freedom to act in its best interests. For the last six years and running, MYN’s staple fundraiser has been the Fake Mustache Drag King and Variety Show, held on the first Thursday of every month at Soda. An all-ages show begins the evening with an 18+ performance to follow. Demers says that punctual Queens are more than welcome to join the act.
Another grand fundraiser will take place June 12th. Queer Prom 2010 is an event inspired by Constance McMillan, a 16-year-old from Mississippi. She was bold enough to take her school to court after they cancelled prom, following a petition to take her girlfriend. While McMillan has been invited to the event, Mosaic had not received a response by the time this article was written.
This is an opportunity for anyone who doesn’t leaf through their yearbooks with the fondest of memories to redo prom night any way they want, sans parental supervision. Video projections, DJs and Polaroid photo ops are sure to make this night a hit and, if it is, the event could become an annual occurrence.
Demers says the group is at a stage of demanding rights for LGBT youth, rather than relying on a sense of deserving. “Pride is a cultural expression of the community.”
The MYN also puts out a Queer Zine which it hopes to re-launch bigger and bolder in time for Pride, Youth under 25 are encouraged to submit poetry, prose, art or photography and, in turn, will receive up to five copies of the edition in which their contribution appears. Furthermore, MYN will be holding the 5th annual Homo Hop, a free, underage queer youth dance, on September 3rd.
“These youth are looking for community,” Demers says. “Ultimately that’s what we provide them. With community we can ultimately build anything.” 