Ian Fiedler, a Moorestown High School senior (class of 2013) helped spearhead a project that serves as a judge-free hangout for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender teens in Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties. The Kaleidoscope Teen group meets once a month at The Spot Teen Center in Voorhees.
The organization, which officially began in April, was designed for teens ages 13 to 18 to gather and meet new people without being judged because of sexual orientation.
Fiedler said he took on the project after many discussions with Linda Murphy, president of PFLAG Collingswood — a support group for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people as well as their parents, family members or friends.
Fiedler and his parents attend PFLAG meetings.
“We were saying how there is really nothing for LGBTs in South Jersey.
“There are resources in North Jersey and Philadelphia.
“There is really nothing here,” he said.
The idea for Kaleidoscope stemmed from Cooper University Hospital pediatric physician Dr. Robert Brown.
Murphy said Brown, who formed a LGBT sensitivity seminar for hospital doctors and staff, suggested a group should be formed allowing teens in the area to find a place to go that is closer to home.
“That’s where the whole idea came to be,” Murphy said.
Besides the newly created South Jersey group, the only other centers that offer support to these teens are at the Attic Youth Center in Philadelphia and The Pride Center in New Brunswick.
After speaking to Fiedler about the idea, he immediately jumped on board, volunteering to take on the task of spreading the word about the program.
Teachers, social workers, Gay-Straight Alliance advisors, adolescent medical physicians and teen advocates are included on the Adult Advisory Committee to represent the program.
The group’s advisors are trained in suicide and bullying prevention, Fiedler said.
All advisors must go through two background checks and a child-abuse history check.
All meetings are youth run.
At the last meeting, approximately 10 teens attended with four adults.
Fiedler said those numbers are greater than what he expected.
“As we get more involved we would like to meet weekly or biweekly and increase hours so we can provide more services,” he said.
“It’s kind of difficult because we are dealing with mostly ages 13 to 18.
“But the group is really more important for the younger people in high school such as freshman and sophomore students.”
Another difficult factor Fiedler knew the organization would face is transportation.
“The problem is they might not be out to their parents,” making it difficult for them to get to meetings without a license, he said.
The Voorhees Town Center was selected for its proximity to public transportation.
If the teens are not comfortable at the meeting, they have the option of walking around the mall before getting a ride back home.
Fiedler and Murphy said there are plenty of teens who may be uncomfortable with their sexuality who could benefit from attending support groups.
“It’s difficult to grow up in a world where you have to worry about being bullied and being judged and thought to be different.
“Kaleidoscope will provide a place where kids can feel comfortable being themselves,” Murphy said.
Some attend to meet new friends or even find a place where they feel accepted. Others might be more comfortable with attending the meetings over high school GSA clubs.
Fiedler said some high schools don’t have GSA clubs.
The students must form and maintain the groups. Teachers only act as advisors, Murphy said.
“Schools don’t create them without students asking for it,” Murphy said, adding if more high schools offered GSA clubs it would act as another option for LGBT students to find comfort.
Fiedler said he started the GSA club at MHS for the 2012–2013 school year.
Since the program is new, Fiedler said the focus is on funding and membership.
The Spot is rented on an hourly basis, costing the group $25 per hour, or $50 per month.
Recently, the group received a $2,500 donation through PLFAG and the Crossroads Program in Willingboro.
There are also open spaces for underclassmen to participate in the organization.
Murphy said it is important to have younger teens involved in taking on leadership roles, since there is little time between when they turn 13 to when they graduate high school.
Even if those seeking involvement are not looking for a leadership role, all are welcome to attend the meeting.
Murphy said if some don’t feel comfortable attending the meeting alone, they could bring any friend.
“They are going to be welcome in the space for who they are,” Fiedler said.
Kaleidoscope Teen meets on the third Saturday of each month from 1 to 3 p.m. The meetings are held at The Spot Teen Center in Voorhees Town Center.
For more information, visit the group’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/KaleidoscopeNJ or email [email protected].
