Our History

SINCE 1995

We Are Family began in April 1995 under the direction of Tom Myers (1940-2016), the father of a gay son. Tom recognized the need for support for LGBTQ+ youth, and WAF was born from the love of a father for his son. WAF initially focused on the use of direct mail to provide constructive information to people and community leaders that LGBTQ+ young people would normally seek out for counsel and support. The staff sought out speaking engagements whenever possible, at churches and other public places to spread a message of understanding and acceptance. In early 1997, WAF began to offer direct services (SafeSpace) to LGBTQ+ youth in the Charleston Tri-County area through a weekly peer support group.

Since then, WAF has responded to the needs of LGBTQ+ young people to create safer and supportive spaces, growing in both scope and reach. Our statewide core projects consist of a Gender-Sexuality Alliance (GSA) support and coalition-building program; our Mental Health Assistance Program, which includes free and affirming short-term therapy for LGBTQ+ youth, social support groups for LGBTQ+ young people, a peer discussion group for parents/guardians of LGBTQ+ youth, and two therapeutic groups; grassroots community organizing for and by LGBTQ+ young people; an evidence-based cultural competency training program called LGBTeach; a microgrant program for trans and gender nonconforming (TGNC) individuals called the Trans Love Fund; and a social enterprise called Closet Case Thrift Store, through which we offer gender-affirming products to TGNC young people at no cost.