Finding accepting environments for social activities and interaction can be affirming and even life-saving for LGBTQ youth, who often experience bullying and marginalization at school.  You might consult this list for LGBTQ youth (and allies) fun and safe activities. (A few are not Eastside locations but might be within reasonable distance.) Also check the additional resources that follow.

Safe Places for Seattle Eastside Youth

• The Bellevue Boys & Girls Club Teen Center has an LGBTQ- friendly atmosphere and programs for youth ages 11-19.
• Camp Ten Trees  is a nonprofit organization in Seattle that provides yearly camp sessions  for LGBTQ youth and their allies as well as children/youth of LGBTQ or non-traditional families, from ages 8-17. It also offers leadership training for youth ages 13-17 through Camp Pegasus.
• Diverse Harmony is based in Seattle and is the nation’s first queer-straight alliance youth chorus. It provides a diverse, safe, and supportive environment for allies and LGBTQ youth/young adults (14-22) to share their love of music and be accepted for who they are.
• King County Library System is supportive of LGBTQ youth and offers events that provide a safe space as well as Teen librarians who can help adolescents find appropriate reading materials and other resources.
• Lambert House is an LGBTQ youth center located in Seattle but also open to Eastside youth. It serves youth ages 22 and under and offers youth-led social and educational activities (as well as several support groups led by trained volunteers).
• Oasis Youth Center is located in Tacoma and provides LGBTQ youth ages 14-24 a safe place to learn, connect and thrive through youth-led discussions, workshops, recreation, and other programs.
• Outward Bound  features expeditions that prepare students of all ages and circumstances with the strength of character and determination they need to thrive—in the classroom and workplace as well as their families and the world. They offer two courses specifically designed for LGBTQ teens and led by LGBTQ Outward Bound instructors, which combine adventure and service.
  •  Oregon Rafting & Service for LGBTQ Teens An An-11 day expedition that begins in Portland, Oregon, includes six days of rafting on the Deschutes River and transitions to the urban setting to engage in the service section of this course during the Portland PRIDE festival. 
  • Yosemite Backpacking to San Francisco Urban Service for LGBTQ Teens   A 12-day California backpacking course takes youth on an adventurous, conscientious journey from the wilderness of  Yosemite National Park to The City by the Bay, a place rich in LGBTQ history and purpose.
• Rainbow Teen Advisory Board  (R-TAB) meets at the Redmond library the 2nd & 4th Tuesday of each month, from 5-7pm and is open to LGBTQ youth and allies from any Eastside School district and in grades 6th-12 grade. Members create safe spaces, socialize, and gain valuable leadership experience as they create community events. No application necessary.
• Seattle Parks LGBTQ provides numerous programs and activities for LGBTQ youth through its Born This Way Kafe.

Additional Resources

You might also consult GLBT National Help Center, where you can find these resources for finding support, information, and safe activities.

• Peer-support, community connections and information to people with questions regarding sexual orientation and gender identity.
• The largest collection of  resources for the LGBTQ community in the United States, with 15,000 local resources for cities and towns across the country.
• Resources within your specified area: just enter your zip code, the miles you want to travel, and the category of interest.
• Two national hotlines, GLBT National Hotline and GLBT National Youth Hotline, run by a diverse group of GLBT volunteers.

You can also find more information on our website:

• See Meeting FAQ  for details on our monthly meetings, where you obtain free resources and discuss support for LGBTQ youth with experienced parents.
• Consult Counseling and Support for local services and other resources.
• Check our extensive  LGBTQ Resources, which includes lists specific to youth.
• Learn about free and low cost booklets from PFLAG National, including ones that pertain specifically to youth. (PFLAG members receive a bookstore discount.)