Agency - OutReach Inc.

OutReach's Mission:

To promote equality and quality of life for LGBT people.

OutReach's Vision Statement:

Our vision is to create a community where the presence and contributions of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender people are welcomed and celebrated; where intolerance is challenged and defeated; where justice prevails; and where civil rights of all people are valued and respected.

Description:
OutReach Services

Lending Library

Choose from over 6,000 volumes in our Earl Greely Memorial Library. Books covering everything from coming-out and politics to spirituality and health, as well as a wealth of fiction selections, are available for checkout, one month at a time.

Speakers Bureau

Trained volunteers engage & educate for
understanding in Madison & south central Wisconsin's tech schools, university classes, community organizations, religious groups and corporations. We also do more formal presentation through our LGBT 101 Sensitivity Trainings---volunteers can train to be part of the pool of presenters in various settings.

LGBT Switchboard Referral & Information

Are you looking for a physician that understands your health care needs - a doctor who won't judge you just because you're LGBT? Do you need a lawyer who can handle anti-gay harassment cases or help you arrange a will? Would you like a financial planner or realtor that can help you plan for the future? Monday through
Friday, 10am-7pm & Sat 12 to 4pm we can get you the information you need. Whether you're looking for travel information, event listings or meeting times, we can help.

Community Center - Comfortable Space

Imagine a place where LGBT people find a welcoming, supportive environment. A place where community groups find meeting space. A place where organizations get the technical and logistical support they need. OutReach is that place: a home for our entire community. We mobilize dozens of volunteers, network organizations and provide friendly space to those most in need.

Peer Counseling & Support/Social Groups

People face enormous emotional challenges when they come to terms with their sexuality. OutReach offers in-house and phone peer counseling to help those who need someone to talk with. Support/Social groups exist for various interests--over 20 in total. Periodically we offer support groups for those dealing with specifically coming-out issues. If you're having difficulties with family, relationships, the workplace, or anything else, we have peer counselors that can help you.

Publications

OutReach publications give you the information you need. The Directory is an unparalleled resource. Profiling more than 150 LGBT organizations and 200 LGBT-friendly businesses, The Directory is a veritable LGBT "yellow-pages". Each month, the Calendar & Guide lists the events and meetings that are important to you. No other resource is as comprehensive. Our Directory and Calendar & Guide are now online: www.lgbtdirectory.org Our E-Newsletter goes out to many individuals and groups in the LGBT community.

Advocacy

In 1978, we protected Madison's LGB anti-discrimination ordinance. In 1982, we helped pass the nation's first statewide law that extends housing and employment protection to gays and lesbians. In 1997, we helped defeat a state anti-gay marriage bill, AB104. In 2000, we helped ad gender identity to Madison's 1978 ordinance and in 2006 helped fight the unfortunately successful constitutional ban on same-sex unions.

History:
OutReach's history is rooted in the pasts of two separate community organizations,the Madison Gay/Lesbian Resource Center (MGLRC) and The United. Founded in 1973,the MGLRC was created to provide confidential STD testing to Madison residents. In 1978, Madison's LGBT communities formed a second organization, The United,to defend a Madison city ordinance banning discrimination based on sexual orientation.
As Madison's non-discrimination ordinance became more secure, and accessible STD testing became more widely available, both agencies expanded and diversified their services. After working collaboratively for nearly fifteen years, and with more than 45 years of combined community service, the two organizations merged into a new agency called OutReach, Inc. on July 1, 1998.

Contact person: Angie Rehling, Program Director, (phone), (email)

Address:

600 Williamson St. Suite P-1 Madison, WI 53703 (See a map)

Miscellaneous Information

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	No