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Welcome to the brand new ok2be Website! From the site you can find out everything that you need to know about ok2be - Blackpool's LGBTQ youth group! Check out our information and get yourself involved!

ok2be News ok2be MSN Support! Hayley (ok2be youth support worker) will be offering one-to-one online support for young people via msn. This will be taking place on the following dates in July: Thursday 2nd July 2009, Thursday 9th July 2009, Thursday 23rd July 2009 and Thursday 30th July 2009. MSN address is: ok2be-blackpool@hotmail.co.uk Log on to have a chat about LGBTQ issues, ask questions, find out more about ok2be or simply talk about the weather! Blackpool Pride Exciting news...This weekend sees Blackpool's 4th Annual LGBT Pride event! What is Blackpool Pride: Blackpool Pride is an annual event spread over a weekend for LGBT people and their allies to celebrate being LGBT, it is about recognising the history of the movement and recognising what has happened. It is also about being proud of who you are; with so much negative press about LGBT issues in the press it is a great opportunity to be proud of your sexuality/gender. What is BYPS doing for Pride: ok2be (the LGBT youth group), the WISH team and the HUB are joining forces to provide a safe space for young people to a) have a safe space if they need it during the Pride events on Saturday 16th, b) for young people to find information about services available to support them, c) risk management i.e. contraception/substance misuse advice. Who will be there from BYPS: There is a team of staff from Positive Contributions, WISH and the HUB. Alongside this there is a team of 12 young people from ok2be and WISH who have been trained to become Peer Educators for the Pride events on Saturday. There will also be a nurse on the Bus to give STI advice etc. We will be identified by bright t-shirts with logos and badges etc. There will also be lots of goodies for young people to take away!! Where will it be: Pride events on Saturday 16th will take place in a special compound area in the area of Dickson Road/Lord Street. The road will be closed to traffic and the Buzz Bus will have its own special area. On Sunday 17th there is a Parade (no BYPS involvement) but if young people want to go and watch it will take place along the promenade at Lunch Time. How much will Pride Cost: For young people under the age of 18 the cost for the Pride wristbands is £5, for young people over 18 are £7. In order to access the compound area on Saturday you need a wristband. I have wristbands to sell for young people under 18 (these are available from me ALL DAY Wednesday, or 2-5 Thursday and Friday from Vicky McMahon in the Access and Participation Unit at Connexions). Over 18 wristbands are available from selected venues (check Blackpool Pride website for details). Any questions/comments please give me a buzz! Hayley Mills - 01253 754841or 07887 770141 Access and Participation Worker ok2be Launches Website In preparation for Blackpool Pride 2009 which takes place in just over one weeks time on the 16th and 17th of May ok2be has launched its new website! The website can be found at www.ok2be-blackpool.co.uk and features information on what the group is about. As well as this there are links and downloads and info about how to get involved. Watch out for more developments for workers as well as their own gallery coming very soon!

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