Photo: RADAR Facebook page

Penticton has lacked support for the LGBTQ youth community for too long, according to local advocates, but a new program is opening its doors to offer a safe place for teens.

The RADAR program will launch on October 3, facilitating a safe space for discussion where youth can explore gender identity and themselves.

In comparison to other major cities the Okanagan, Penticton doesn't seem to have the same extracurricular outlets available for youth to feel comfortable in their own skin, according to SOS Youth Pride director, Shalyn Norish.

"I grew up here, it wasn’t here fifteen years ago, and it still isn’t here now," Norish said. "There are definitely people here who are LGBT of all ages, but for some reason the Okanagan is very quiet about it and it’s really hard on kids."

"I’m not sure if it's just a small town thing or if it’s a conservative mindset, but definitely the Okanagan is way further behind than most major cities like Vancouver, Calgary or Edmonton — they have a pretty large LGBT presence, you walk into stores and there’s an LGBT flag on the door denoting that it’s a safe space, it’s talked about, it’s visible. We don’t have that here."

The weekly gatherings are available for youth aged 13 to 18, but young adults aged 19 to 24 have the opportunity to go through a mentorship program with the organizers and become volunteers at RADAR.

"We identified that there was a need for a safe space for youth that was not affiliated with schools," said Kelsey Johnson, Recreation Coordinator, City of Penticton.

RADAR, in partnership with the YES Project and South Okanagan Similkameen Pride, will kick off on Tuesday, Oct. 3, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Penticton Public Library.

It will continue to run weekly on Tuesdays from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.