Youth group for LGBTQ formed

Atterberry starts group to help Callaway youth

Cliff Atterberry's recently founded LGBTQ+ Alliance Group offers a welcoming space for youths in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community and those who support them. The group meets on the third Wednesday of every month from 7-8 p.m. at the Youth 180 building at 512 Market St., Fulton.
Cliff Atterberry's recently founded LGBTQ+ Alliance Group offers a welcoming space for youths in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community and those who support them. The group meets on the third Wednesday of every month from 7-8 p.m. at the Youth 180 building at 512 Market St., Fulton.

Growing up different than your peers can be tough.

Cliff Atterberry, who runs the Youth 180 program at the Missouri Job Center, knows this from personal experience.

"There was a lack of support," he said regarding LGBTQ resources. "It was pretty openly hostile for me. There were no support groups, no role models."

In his role helping connect people aged 14-24 with local job opportunities, Atterberry met several people who fit into the LGBTQ community. They told him there's still a lack of support. That's why Atterberry decided to found the LGBTQ+ Alliance Group.

It's likely the first public group of its kind in Callaway County.

"I just wanted to have a safe space for the youth to come and be who they want to be," he said. "I want to let them know that they're not alone."

The group meets monthly on the third Wednesday of the month from 7-8 p.m. in the Youth 180 office (512 Market St. in Fulton). It's been around for about four months now, with about 10 youths - often new ones - attending each meeting, Atterberry said.

A typical meeting might include games and an educational talk from a guest speaker.

"We had the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention one month," he said. "We did diversity training, where we learned about pronoun preferences. This month, someone from Spectrum Health Care (in Columbia) is coming to talk about sexual health."

Atterberry said he believes providing these kinds of resources to LGBTQ youth is important, because it can be hard to access relevant information. For example, he said sex education at school often assumes the students are straight and cisgender (meaning they have a gender identity that matches the one they were assigned at birth). If a sexually active teen doesn't fit those categories, they might not know about risks they face and how to avoid them.

Suicide prevention is vital, as well, Atterberry said.

"In the age group I deal with, suicide is the second-highest cause of death," he said. "For LGB youth, the rate of suicide is three to four times higher."

The number is even higher for young transgender people, studies showed.

"Compared with other students, negative attitudes toward LGB persons may put these youth at increased risk for experiences with violence," the Centers for Disease Control states on its website. "'Violence' can include behaviors such as bullying, teasing, harassment, and physical assault."

According to a peer-reviewed 2009 study by the Family Acceptance Project, rejection of LGBTQ youth by their families and peers significantly contributes to that high rate of suicide and suicide attempts.

Atterberry hopes the Alliance group will help youth make connections and friendships with other people who are in the same boat. As a successful, gay adult, he serves as proof that life can get better and LGBTQ people can thrive.

People who are not part of the LGBTQ community but are curious or want to support those who are may join as well.

"I want to get fliers out to the schools," he said. "The benefit is having a sense of belonging and knowing you're not alone."

Find the group on Facebook by searching Callaway County LGBTQ+ Alliance Group.