Doreen Thompson

After years of fighting for rights for the LGBTQ+ community, I believed the fight was over, as we had achieved what we had fought for. However, during One Circle Foundation trainings, I have been reminded that our battle is far from over, and the future of LGBTQ+ youth depends on all of us speaking up, showing up, and supporting all youth! Read more.

I grew up at a time when thinking about coming out was foreign to me, growing up, I never knew there was another way to celebrate my authentic self. According to societal norms, I was supposed to act ladylike, wear dresses, be polite, find a nice guy, get married, and... Read More.

At One Circle Foundation, we often talk about the dedication and commitment of our facilitators. I want to take a minute and share two examples of this dedication of two individuals who attended Girls Circle training at the end of September. Sapphire was registered to attend our Girls Circle training online. When we began the training, Sapphire let us know that she was pregnant and that she may not be able to attend on day 3 of the training as she had a scheduled doctor's appointment. We let Sapphire know that it was no problem and that OCF could reschedule her third day of training. On day 2 of training, Sapphire let us know that although she had a scheduled appointment she would be attending on day 3 and wanted to complete her training as she had developed relationships with the other facilitators and wanted to finish the training with the individuals she had formed relationships with.  On day 3 we found out Sapphire was going to deliver her daughter later in the morning but

Adolescence can be a difficult time. Trying to develop independence, finding yourself, body changes and first loves. For me I had a wonderful childhood, however, when adolescence hit, things changed. I tried to fit in and experience all the things I was SUPPOSED to according to society's norms. Those experiences didn't work for me, and I thought there was something wrong with me. My way of dealing with it was to use drugs, alcohol and engage in self-destructive behaviors. There were no support groups, no one to talk to about my confusion. I went on through my teens and twenties struggling to fit in. At the age of 28 I kissed a woman and my life changed...