Wilco Iris

What is Wilco Iris?

After recognizing a need in the community, WSJA formed a safe space for LGBTQ+ teens and their allies, grades 9-12, in Williamson County called Wilco Iris. Although facilitated and supported by carefully screened adult members of WSJA, this is a group led by high school student leaders from across the county, for their peers, in a safe and nurturing environment. If you’d like more information on the group including dates and location, please email wilcopride@gmail.com or info@wsjatn.org. You can also follow @wilco_iris on Instagram.

Wilco Iris Student Leadership Council

Our goal is to have at least one LGBTQ+ student representative from every public, private, and homeschool high school in Williamson County. These students form the Wilco Iris Student Leadership Council. Council members attend monthly leadership planning meetings, attend other Wilco Iris events, and represent Wilco Iris in their school and community. Serving on the Council is an enjoyable and rewarding experience, which provides students with many benefits including:

  • the privilege of representing your LGBTQ+ peers
  • participating in social justice initiatives
  • fun social outings
  • leadership experience
  • excellent addition to your college resume
  • volunteer hours
  • long-lasting, rewarding friendships with fellow LGBTQ+ teens

Interested in becoming a member of the Wilco Iris Student Leadership Council? Fill out the simple application below, and we’ll be in touch soon!

Wilco Iris Student Leadership Council Application

  • All information submitted will be kept strictly confidential and used solely for the council member selection process.
  • If chosen to participate in the Leadership Council, Wilco Iris will need a parental permission slip allowing for email and text communication within the organization. If this might be an issue for you, please reach out to us at wilcopride@gmail.com.
Student's Name(Required)
Student's Current Grade Level(Required)
Student's Email(Required)
Please list groups you participate in below.
Please list details below.
No pressure! Just tell us a little bit about your leadership skills or other reasons you would be an asset to the Leadership Council.
Can you commit to attending a minimum of one meeting per month?(Required)
Do you have any special skills you could share with Wilco Iris?
Please check all that apply.

Wilco Iris Adult Task Force

All adult task force members must fill out a volunteer application and pass a background check. Please reach out to us at info@wsjatn.org for more information on this fun and rewarding volunteer opportunity!

Donate to Wilco Iris

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SUICIDE/CRISIS SUPPORT

If you are thinking about suicide and in need of immediate support, please call, chat, or text 24 hours a day to connect with a counselor via The Trevor Project.

  • Trevor Project: Get Help Now
  • TrevorLifeline: 866-488-7386
    TrevorLifeline is a crisis intervention and suicide prevention phone service available 24/7/365.
  • TrevorChat
    Confidential online instant messaging with a Trevor counselor, available 24/7. Access through a computer, as you may have technical difficulties if using a smartphone or tablet.
  • TrevorText: Text START to 678-678
    Confidential text messaging with a Trevor counselor, available 24/7/365.

Resources

  • GLSEN Key Concepts and Terms
    This collection of Key Concepts and Terms is designed to provide a basic understanding of words, phrases and ideas related to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and their experiences.
  • Human Rights Campaign Glossary of Terms
    Many Americans refrain from talking about sexual orientation and gender identity or expression because it feels taboo, or because they’re afraid of saying the wrong thing. This glossary was written to help give people the words and meanings to help make conversations easier and more comfortable.
ORGANIZATIONS
  • PFLAG
    PFLAG is the first and largest organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people, their parents and families, and allies.
  • Oasis Center
    Oasis Center provides a wide range of opportunities that reflect the diverse needs of youth and their families, from crisis intervention to youth leadership and community engagement to college and career access.
  • TransFamily Support Services
    TransFamily Support Services guides transgender/non-binary youth and their families through the gender transitioning process to help make it the most positive experience possible.
SOCIAL MEDIA
  • Serendipitydodah - Home of the Mama Bears on Facebook
    Serendipitydodah is a private Facebook group exclusively for moms of LGBTQ kids.
  • Free Mom Hugs on Facebook
    Free Mom Hugs is a 501(c)3 organization that advocates for equality for the LGBT community by providing resources, education, and support.
WEBSITES
  • Mama Bears
    The Mama Bears organization is a network of groups, websites, special projects & resources dedicated to supporting, educating and empowering Moms of LGBTQ kids and the LGBTQ Community.
  • Free Mom Hugs
    Free Mom Hugs is a 501(c)3 organization that advocates for equality for the LGBT community by providing resources, education, and support.
  • Human Rights Campaign
    The Human Rights Campaign envisions a world where every member of the LGBTQ family has the freedom to live their truth without fear, and with equality under the law.
BOOKS
  • The Velvet Rage: Overcoming the Pain of Growing Up Gay in a Straight Man's World by Alan Downs
  • This Is How It Always Is: A Novel by Laurie Frankel
  • Love Wins: The Lovers and Lawyers Who Fought the Landmark Case for Marriage Equality by Debbie Cenziper and Jim Obergefell
FAITH-BASED BOOKS
  • Torn: Rescuing the Gospel from the Gays-vs.-Christians Debate by Justin Lee
  • God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships by Matthew Vines
  • Embracing the Journey: A Christian Parents' Blueprint to Loving Your LGBTQ Child by Greg and Lynn McDonald
  • Bible, Gender, Sexuality: Reframing the Church's Debate on Same-Sex Relationships by James V. Brownson
  • UnClobber: Rethinking Our Misuse of the Bible on Homosexuality by Colby Martin
FAITH-BASED PODCASTS
  • Blue Babies Pink by B.T. Harman
ORGANIZATIONS
  • Oasis Center
    Oasis Center provides a wide range of opportunities that reflect the diverse needs of youth and their families, from crisis intervention to youth leadership and community engagement to college and career access.
INSTAGRAM
  • Wilco Iris @wilco_iris
    A safespace for LGBTQ+ youth and their allies in Williamson County, TN led by highschool student leaders.
  • GLSEN SHINE Team for Tennessee @glsen_shine_tn
    Youth led organization to make K-12 schools a safe place for the LGBT community.
  • GLSEN Tennessee @glsentn
    We don't sweat, we GLSEN! We work to make schools and communities safer for LGBTQIA students and all youth across the state.
  • GLSEN National @glsen
    Leading national non profit working to create safe and inclusive K-12 schools for LGBTQ youth.
  • It Gets Better Project @itgetsbetter
    Our mission is to uplift, empower and connect LGBTQ+ youth around the globe.
  • The Trevor Project @trevorproject
    The leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ youth.
  • Human Rights Campaign @humanrightscampaign
    HRC is the nation’s largest LGBTQ civil rights org.
FAITH-BASED INSTAGRAM
  • Beloved Arise @beloved_arise
    Beloved Arise offers programs, resources, and a loving community for LGBTQ+ youth of faith.
  • KIND HUMANS @kind_humans_
    Affirming faith based #LGBTQIA organization.
WEBSITES
  • The Trevor Project
    The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25.
  • Trevor Support Center
    A place where LGBTQ youth and their allies can find answers to frequently asked questions, and explore resources related to sexual orientation, gender identity and more!
  • It Gets Better Project
    The It Gets Better Project is a nonprofit organization with a mission to uplift, empower, and connect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer youth around the globe.
  • GLSEN
    GLSEN works to ensure that LGBTQ students are able to learn and grow in a school environment free from bullying and harassment. GLSEN empowers students to affect change by supporting student-led efforts to positively impact their own schools and local communities, and have thousands of registered GSAs nationwide.
FAITH-BASED WEBSITES
  • Q Christian Fellowship
    Q Christian Fellowship is cultivating radical belonging for LGBTQ+ Christians and allies. Q Christian Fellowship cultivates radical belonging among LGBTQ+ people and allies through a commitment to growth, community, and relational justice.
ONLINE COMMUNITIES
  • TrevorSpace
    TrevorSpace is an affirming international community for LGBTQ young people ages 13-24.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
  • PFLAG Franklin
    PFLAG is the first and largest organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people, their parents and families, and allies.
  • Oasis Center
    Oasis Center provides a wide range of opportunities that reflect the diverse needs of youth and their families, from crisis intervention to youth leadership and community engagement to college and career access.