Time Out Youth
(TOY) was founded by Tonda Taylor in 1991 to help the lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender, and questioning youth of Charlotte, North Carolina by empowering
them and providing them with a safe environment where they can get support and
affirmation that they don’t get from society.
Aside from providing LGBTQ
youth aged 11-20 with the support they need, TOY also advocates for them by
promoting awareness and understanding of what it means to be LGBTQ. They also
promote acceptance, and inclusion in schools and in their respective communities.
Part of providing support to LGBTQ youth is helping their parents out as well.
They answer any question they may have about how to deal with issues that may
arise like depression and bullying.
TOY has hosted a number of
activities through the years including alternative proms, workshops,
fundraising benefits, leadership programs, and many other activities that help
promote the organizations vision and mission.