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Outreach, Inc. : Tickled Pink

By Laura Salinger

OutReach, Inc., Madison’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) center, kicked off the new year recently with their ninth annual Pink Party at the Civic Center in downtown Madison. Over 800 people showed up to ring in the new year at the Midwest’s largest New Year’s Eve party geared towards the LGBT community.

"This is a way to get people together in a single space that is safe,” said event coordinator Nikki Baumblatt, of the party. "It seems that when [the LGBT community] pulls together, we are always coming together in a crisis. This is a time to come together to just celebrate."

The event featured DJ’s Sandy Seuser and Tony Ritschard, comedian Vickie Shaw, the Perfect World Jazz Quartet, acid jazz performers Lisa G. and Montage, singers Tara Ayres and Bruce Wheeler, and an eventful countdown to the year 2004.

The celebration marked the beginning of a new year for OutReach as they continue their efforts to be a valuable resource and support system to Madison’s LGBT community. Formed in 1998 when the Madison Gay/Lesbian Resource Center (MGLRC) and the United joined together to enhance services to the LGBT community, OutReach is dedicated to providing services which strengthen and support the LGBT community, educate the public about LGBT issues, and advocate for social justice.

Their services include a lending library of over 4,500 volumes, a speakers bureau, a help line, a community center, peer support and counseling, education, and advocacy.

New programs on the horizon for OutReach in 2004 include the development of a discussion and skills-building group for transgender individuals to share information on HIV/AIDS risk reduction, transmission prevention, and support services for those at risk of or living with HIV/AIDS.

"One of our biggest growing groups [seeking services from OutReach] is the transgender community," said Baumblatt,  who also is OutReach’s community relations coordinator.

According to Baumblatt, the transgender community is disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS, and like other groups in the nation, the numbers of those affected by HIV/AIDS is growing. Since receiving a grant for the program last year, OutReach has been in the planning process and will implement the program this year.

Another major priority for OutReach this year is to service the ever-growing needs of LGBT youth and seniors. OutReach currently offers Proud Theatre, a performing group offered to LGBT teens to foster free expression in a supportive atmosphere.

Baumblatt says support services for LGBT teens are crucial because this group often feels the most alone and are disproportionately subjected to ridicule from their peers.

"The highest suicide rate among teens is among LGBT teens or teens who are questioning [their sexual orientation]," Baumblatt said. "When you are in high school and you know you are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, there are few places you can go. The number one thing is to let them know they are not alone. One of the most important things for them is to be able to talk to kids their own age who are dealing with similar issues."

OutReach has also been working with the Madison Senior Center to provide programming for LGBT seniors. Last year, OutReach offered a pancake brunch and a number of speakers addressing the needs of LGBT seniors.

"Our community is everybody, not just one specific age group," Baumblatt said. "We are all aging. The issues of [LGBT] seniors need to be addressed."

In 2004, OutReach will continue to be a voice which educates on the social and political issues currently facing the LGBT community. Perhaps one of the most important issues is that of gay marriage. As state legislatures in the U.S., including Wisconsin, introduce or consider anti-same-sex marriage bills, OutReach works as a voice to condemn what they view as discriminatory action against the LGBT community.

"We support gay marriage because of equal rights," Baumblatt said. "OutReach’s goal is to create equality for everybody. We are working hard to maintain the rights we have right now, as well as add some new ones."

According Baumblatt, OutReach is already considering what they will do for next year’s event as the Civic Center will begin construction for the Overture Center. One option is to move the event to Halloween, but no final decision has been made yet. In the meantime, as OutReach heads into 2004, it will continue its efforts to be a vital resource for the ever-growing LGBT community. Providing information, support, and simply an avenue for coming together, OutReach is a valuable presence among many LGBT individuals in the Madison area.