Art community supports We Are Family with soiree

Aster Hall is hosting a get-together Friday with the fam -- We Are Family, that is. The summer soiree with wine, food and art seeks to raise awareness and support for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex members of the community and their straight allies.

Co-sponsored by the Alliance for Full Acceptance, the event will feature hors d'oeuvres, a wine tasting by Barefoot Wineries, cupcakes from Cupcake and the art of Sandy Logan.

Eight total art auction items will include photographs from Logan and Jen Bennett, proprietor of Images Gallery; paintings by Sharen Mitchell, Timothy Pakron and Ann Foley; and jewelry by Angela Hall and Walt Martin.

Kim Quintero, owner of Mama Q's Restaurant (set to open on Johns Island mid-September), will DJ the event. Afterward, attendees who keep their wristbands can seek out drink specials at Dudley's and Pantheon.

"We hope that people will have a good time," said Melissa S. Moore, program director for WAF. "And we aim to nurture a more supportive environment for GLBTQQI young people."

Since its inception in 1995, WAF has continued to provide 16- to 23-year-olds with support services, community service opportunities, positive role models, leadership development and counseling referrals.

Moore explains that the teenage years through the early 20s are a potentially vulnerable time in social and psychological development, particularly for GLBTQQI people.

One ongoing initiative to support these youths is SafeSpace.

The bimonthly meetings explore a range of topics from health issues to anti-bullying tactics and professional development.

WAF also offers training for social workers, service providers, foster parents and anyone who deals with young people on a regular basis.

"We aim to help young people develop into healthy, productive adults who give back to their communities," said Moore.

"I hope the young people involved with We Are Family develop strong peer relationships, implement the skills they learn from our programs and leave with a sense of responsibility to their communities. I hope the larger community recognizes the talents, value and inherent kindness that exists in these young adults."

Last weekend marked its first community outreach effort at the Lowcountry Food Bank. In development now is a We Are Mentors program that will match WAF young adults with positive role models from the professional community.

"It is important to support this community because we represent all facets of society, and we deserve to live honestly and openly," said Moore.

"We are your doctors, soldiers, mothers, fathers, you name it."

This past May's first Gay Pride celebration was evidence of that community and its supporters with about 2,300 participants.

Other notable local successes include a housing nondiscrimination ordinance passed by the city of Charleston and the defeat of a statewide teen dating violence bill that would have excluded GLBTQQI teens.