Serving with Style
Breaking down barriers to sexual health resources for LGBTQ youth
Stigma surrounding HIV often prevents LGBTQ youth from getting tested or accessing safer sex resources. In 2013, a group of friends set out to address this issue by coming up with a creative way to engage queer youth in conversations around sexual health. Out My Closet (OMC) diminishes the stigma of seeking help by providing youth with free “shopping” experiences. OMC is a 501(c)(3) mobile pop-up clothing shop that goes to places where homeless LGBTQ youth are likely to be, such as shelters. OMC provides clothing, shoes, and accessories completely free of charge. At the pop-ups, volunteers offer free HIV testing while youth are engaged in finding clothing.
OMC’s work is based on the idea that high-quality, gender-affirming clothing is a human right. They understand the importance of providing clothing as a harm reduction strategy: having clothing can keep youth from participating in high-risk activities, such as drugs or sex work, that they might otherwise engage in in exchange for clothing. Clothes can also set youth up for success by preparing them for interviews, work, or school.
Stonewall’s connection to Out My Closet is an example of the different forms of support we provide to grantee partners. In November 2019, we partnered with a major clothing retailer to move donations of clothing, shoes, and coats to queer youth in need by sending them to organizations like OMC. Since November 2019, Stonewall has provided these organizations with over $20,000 of clothing donations.
Out My Closet is also a recipient of a 2019 grant from Stonewall. OMC will use the funding to maintain their storage unit, where they store, sort, and prepare clothing donations to ensure that they can offer high-quality clothing to their clients.
