March 5, 2019 Joshua Houston How important is an organization like Safe Space NOVA to the LGBT+ youth community? This organization is important to the LGBT+ youth community because youth need to see people that represent and validate their experience. Understanding your sexuality and gender is uncharted territory for most youth and having [...]
February 18, 2019 This week we sat down with Gabriel Griffin for this edition of #TellYourStoryTuesday. Q1: How important is an organization like Safe Space NOVA to the LGBT+ youth community? Organizations like Safe Space NOVA are very important to the LGBT+ youth community. Many LGBT+ youth may not have the environment in their home [...]
Contact Information: Charles A. Sumpter, Jr. Board of Directors Safe Space NOVA Charles.sumpter@gmail.com 212-444-2316 Safe Space NOVA Donation from the Savittiere Family Fund FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Alexandria, Virginia, October 1, 2018 – Safe Space NOVA, a Alexandria-based nonprofit organization charged with providing safe and accepting spaces for Northern Virginia LGBTQ+ youth, received a $2000 donation in late September. [...]
September 11, 2018 Safe Space NOVA is critical because of the access and opportunities that it provides for our youth. Growing up in Cleveland, Ohio proved to be quite difficult for me as a very shy and insecure child. I didn’t have the opportunity to enter many spaces where I felt like I could authentically [...]
August 7, 2018 The Journey of Abdur-Rahim Briggs "Public Service isn't just a job. It's a calling. It's hard work, and it's largely unsung. The work matters to me because it means something to make our community better. In fact, it means everything ." - Abdur-Rahim Briggs It was 21 years ago I learned [...]
July 24, 2018 My name is Christopher Cross. I am currently the Vice President of Operations for oSTEM, Inc. (www.ostem.org), and the Founder of the Lavender Fund at Howard University (a University Scholarship for LGBTQ+ undergraduate, graduate, and professional students). The road I’ve traveled to self acceptance and confidence has been quite isolating and difficult [...]
July 10, 2018 This week's #TellYourStoryTuesday segment features Jared Sampson from Southern Charm New Orleans. Read our full Q&A below: Q1: What inspired you to work with or be an ally/advocate for Safe Space, Inc.? The Executive Director of Safe Space reached out to me after seeing a scene from Southern Charm New Orleans where [...]
June 4, 2018 By Safe Space NOVA Vice Chairman, Jerome R. Hunt, Ph.D. What’s in a name you may ask? Frankly, everything. The name we are given at birth may be that of a relative that we want to honor, be that of one of our parents, or gender specific. It is our identity. A [...]
May 8, 2018 Words by Torrey Leak Compiled by Khyle Paylor, Safe Space NOVA Social Media Correspondent In February 1998, I joined the United States Army and served 10 years. During this time, the "don't ask, don't tell" policy was still in full effect. Because I have never been one to discuss my sexuality, the [...]
May 7, 2018 By Charles Sumpter, Safe Space NOVA Board Member In case you missed it, a U.S. Judge in Seattle ordered President Donald Trump not to ban transgender service members from serving in the military, highlighting the potential unconstitutionality of such a move. On March 23, President Trump once again released a memorandum, allowing [...]
