Pride has been a major event in Seattle since 1974, when the first Gay Pride Week was held. Since then, June has become a month bursting with color and celebration. Parades are held, fundraisers are organized, and people come together through all sorts of activities to embrace and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. Despite June being centered around Pride, many LGBTQ+ youth still feel as though they lack a community that is supportive of them. This issue emphasizes the need for organizations that provide support and connection to the LGBTQ+ community.
Founded in 1981 in Capitol Hill, Lambert House has been a grounding presence for LGBTQ+ youth for decades. It was established by Dr. Bob Deisher, an openly gay pediatrician and the director of the Center on Human Development and Disability at the University of Washington. Originally, Lambert House was called the Association of Gay and Lesbian Youth Advocates, but was later renamed in honor of Grey Lambert who was a key figure in the creation of Lambert House and later passed due to AIDS related health complications.
Lambert House was created to serve as a resource center and provide a safe haven for LGBTQ+ youth. Since its founding, Lambert House has helped over 15,000 youth and young adults through over half a million volunteers and resource coordinators. The creation of Lambert House was a direct response to physical and mental health inequities that LGBTQ+ youth experienced. In 1991, Lambert House transformed into the first drop-in LGBTQ+ center in the United States through the efforts of a group of hard-working individuals and has grown in popularity since.
Lambert House strives to remain a pillar of safety for those who need an outlet or shoulder to lean on. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Lambert House increased their online presence and reached more youth than ever before, allowing people from all over the country to be part of the organization.
The pandemic was a difficult time for young people, especially for those who already had feelings of not belonging. Lambert House was of huge assistance to thousands of youth because of this growing problem of isolation, allowing them to reach more people. A senior at Garfield who is a part of the program stated that “Lambert House helps others by giving them a safe space to make friends, celebrate who they are, and be themselves without being judged.” Lambert House allows people to develop a sense of belonging and gain a community, so they don’t feel as if they’re standing alone.
They work to unify all sorts of people who have been feeling similarly and remind them they are not alone, a powerful reminder that everyone is loved, respected, and valued.