Our mission is to support, motivate and empower LGBTI youth in Bulgaria. We nurture young members of the LGBTI community into proud, out and fully functioning members of society and address the overall ignorance and homophobia in the country. We launched an online chat and a toll-free telephone line staffed by trained volunteers. Our focus now is on establishing an LGBTI community center. You can make a tremendous difference in the lives of an "invisible" community of young people in Bulgaria!
There is an "invisible" community of young people in Bulgaria, for which only 2 alternatives exist: (i) a life spent in hiding or (ii) fleeing the country in pursuit of a better life abroad. This is the LGBTI community. Those who stay behind experience a hostile social environment that often leads to mental health disorders, psychological and substance abuse, depression, thoughts of suicide or actual acts of suicide. Absolutely no support resources of any kind currently exist in the country.
Initially, we have 3 pragmatic goals in mind: (i) a national, licensed crisis intervention helpline and chat app for LGBTI youth, their parents and allies, staffed by trained professionals and volunteers; (ii) an LGBTI Center which will provide licensed professional help (psychological, medical, legal) , suicide prevention, peer networking and support, and a "safe space" for youth at risk, in addition to a venue for community events, meetings, a cafe; (iii) public awareness-raising campaigns.
A significant and tangible improvement of the lives of a marginalized group of young people in Bulgaria and hopefully a better and more accepting society!
