Special programs and projects are developed for lesbian, gay, bisexual and questioning youth. Individual counseling and youth support groups assist self-identifying gay, lesbian, bisexual and questioning youth, and provide them a safe place to ask questions, express themselves, to know they are not alone, and to interact with others who have already accepted their sexuality. Support services for parents and families are also provided. The Safe Zone Foundation also cooperates with area schools to establish the Safe Schools for All program to provide greater opportunities for diversity and acceptance education, to protect freedom of expression, and to help students develop tools to combat prejudice, discrimination, ignorance, intolerance and harassment. The Safe Schools for All is a peer leadership program that also provides anger management, conflict resolution and peer mediation training. In addition, area youth have opportunities to participate in positive social activities, health education, substance abuse prevention programs, life skills training, and community service projects.


UNFORTUNATELY, Marshfield has very little to offer as far as support for gay and lesbian youth. Marshfield Senior High was contacted about services and reported that they refer students to the Psychiatry Department of the Marshfield Clinic—and they only offer individual couselling. But who wants to be referred to the Pysch Ward? Didn’t the American Psychological Association remove homosexuality from their list of disorders 20 years ago? It makes you wonder!

FORTUNATELY, There are lots of resources for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered Youth on the "net". Here are a few references to get you started.

Youth Resources: a great web site with lots of information and links.

Resources For Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered Youth

Gay Youth Wisconsin

Youth & Civil Liberties Council - Issues Across Wisconsin

AND here’s an opportunity to begin initiating changes in our schools policies toward awareness education and support for the LGBT youth community:

Gay Youth Against Discrimination (GYAD) - promotes students across the country to partake in ending homophobia in school systems.

BOTH the University of Wisconsin – Marshfield/Wood County and Mid-State Technical College do not have organizations that represent or support gay and lesbian students. Check out these links to some organizations at colleges and universities that do:

UWSP Gay Straight Alliance

other college links