Support group for LGBTQ community proposed

Mountain View Emergency Shelter Society outreach services coordinator Sasha Curr fears some members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community in Olds may harm themselves – even attempt suicide because they don't feel accepted.

So she wants to set up a support group for them in the new year.

Curr says people who say the Bible doesn't condone homosexuality or who compare transgenderism to an eating disorder are only accentuating that feeling.

“If you decide you're gay and at school you're getting picked on and bullied I think the community does have a higher risk of suicide attempts or following through with suicide, because of that,” she said during an interview with the Albertan.

Curr said a friend she knew in high school moved to Calgary for that very reason. He was gay and didn't feel accepted in Olds. She says she knows of others in the community who have moved away for the same reason.

“You're easily judged and I think you're more welcomed in a community such as Calgary because there's more support and services and groups you can join – people who accept you for who you are,” Curr said.

“(That's) pretty much what it comes down to. I don't think it should matter what colour of skin we have, who we decide to be with in our lives or what type of genitalia we have; that shouldn't matter,” she added.

Mountain View Emergency Shelter Society moved into its quarters on the second floor of the old Mountain View Credit Union building just about three months ago, so Curr says she's still busy in that regard.

But she says she wants to get an LGBTQ support group going as soon as she can in the new year.

“I believe in equal rights for everyone,” Curr said. My work is based around people who are fleeing domestic violence. But if someone were to come to me and they needed help in that area, I would help them.”