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I help out occasionally at my church, the Meridian United Church of Christ -- affectionately called the Frog Pond Church. It is a wonderful community with an incredible pastor. Unfortunately, my schedule prevents me from committing to many church activities.
Much of my volunteer work has been in the transgender community. I've served as newsletter editor for the Northwest Gender Alliance (NWGA), and I've been registrar for Esprit, the Pacific Northwest's annual transgender convention. For years I have given presentations on transgendered issues to classes at Portland State University and Lewis & Clark College.
Most of my volunteer schedule nowadays is reserved as a volunteer for SMYRC, the Sexual Minority Youth Recreation Center in Portland. SMYRC is a wonderful place -- a safe haven for LGBT youth ages 13 to 23. These youth are incredible! Facing daily opposition from schools, family, friends, and businesses, these kids bravely hold steadfast to their quest to establish their own identities. The journey is often unbearable. Some youth are homeless; some commit suicide. They are physically and verbally abused yet continue to get up each time. They are awesome, and I am so delighted to be working with these young adults. As a volunteer, my job is to listen, console, entertain -- and be a role model, showing that LGBT adults can be successful and happy.