by Kaie Russell, Kira Smith, and Annabelle Raines 

Q&A is an organization that helps LGBTQ+ youth find a place to just be themselves. 

Q&A is located in Coos County and has been going for almost 8 years now. The person who started this organization is Laura Erceg. 

She moved here from Portland and started something new. 

“We took a leap and moved, it's been so wonderful, '' Erceg said. 

Laura grew up in northern Minnesota and has been working with kids for a long time. She moved from Minnesota to Portland and started a new life with her partner.

Laura continued to work with kids. She and her partner then moved here to Coos Bay. Laura saw that there wasn't a place for LGBTQ+ youth and being lesbian herself she wanted to make change. 

“It’s really, really hard at times as a lesbian” Erceg said. 

“We asked what the community wanted, a space for the older generation or a place for the youth,” Erceg said.

They decided that a place for youth would be great.

And so, the Q&A was made and it has now been 8 years since. The Q&A group is a place for the youth, a part of the LGBTQ+ community and is a safe and fun place for them to find out about and explore themselves.

Many LGBTQ+ teens may not have the best resources for them outside of school or home. Q&A, which stands for Queers and Allies, was “crucial for youth who need safe spaces and adults where they can come and be themselves” and also for those who need a place outside of school to feel safe, Erceg said.

It’s not all serious discussions either. Part of the appeal of Q&A is the ability to socialize with similar-minded youth, from ages 13-24.

The Q&A also provides resources related to gender affirmation, name change funds, as well as help for LGBTQ+ teens entering the workforce.

 “There’s good energy for change in the community.” Erceg said.

She also said, that as a part of the larger organization of Southern Oregon Coast Pride, Q&A brings insight to other organizations through consultations with schools and training offered to educators about how to support LGBTQ+ students. 

What Q&A aims for in the future is to provide help for the entire LGBTQ+ community in Coos Bay. And to go forward with what they are doing now and expand. There are many things being done to help them with this. 

“There is a lot of attention around gender identity and expression in schools and on school sports teams that is happening throughout the country” Erceg said. 

“We have been examples of how there isn't "one way" to be gay or straight, and that has made life better for all of us.” Erceg said. 

If you’re interested in joining or supporting Q&A, they meet every week on Thursdays, from 5:30-7:00 p.m. To learn where the meetings are held, contact them at qandacoos@gmail.com or visit their website https://www.qandacoosbay.com/

Photo by  Benson Kua, under Creative Commons License