The 10th Annual Pizza Klatch Gayla: In the Queer Future

WHAT IS PIZZA KLATCH?
Pizza Klatch is an Olympia-based non-profit organization that provides in-school, lunchtime support groups for LGBTQ+ youth and their allies in 14 public high schools (and 1 middle school) across Thurston County. Since 2007 Pizza Klatch has provided trained facilitators and free pizza each week in a safe and confidential space on school campuses where LGBTQ+ students and their allies can discuss everything from struggles with schoolwork to suicidal ideation. PK Facilitators see between 300-400 students per week in 28 klatches across participating schools.

WHAT IS A GAYLA?
This Spring marks the return of Pizza Klatch’s annual fundraising event affectionately known as the “Gayla.” The Pizza Klatch Gayla is a community concert, fundraiser, and celebration that provides not only much-needed funding to help Pizza Klatch continue to support queer and trans youth for years to come, but also provides a space for the youth we serve to share their stories and creativity. The 10th Annual Pizza Klatch Gayla is themed ‘In the Queer Future’ (think Ziggy Stardust, robots, Cyberpunk, the Jetsons and anything you can imagine in between) and will feature a familiar variety of fundraising activities including our popular locally sourced Online Silent Auction, a Prize Raffle, the return of Raise-the-Paddle and brand new amazing Pizza Klatch youth performances as well as a musical performance by our special guest headlining band, Seaside Tryst! Feel free to dress up in your favorite ‘futuristic’ costumes, cosplay, or fancy attire (this is encouraged, but not required).

WHY IS THIS EVENT SO IMPORTANT?
Every year Pizza Klatch gathers data from anonymous student surveys provided to all youth attending Klatch. Each year these surveys demonstrate that as a result of attending Pizza Klatch, youth report nearly a 60% decrease in incidents of self-harm and thoughts of suicide. With anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, attacks, and legislation on the rise and tragedies affecting the LGBTQ+ community at the forefront of social media (such as the reported death of non-binary Oklahoma high school student Nex Benedict following a targeted physical assault by fellow students on campus) programs like Pizza Klatch are vital to the health and well being of the youth of our community and could use your support now more than ever. This auction and raffle will help raise much-needed unrestricted general operating funds to keep Pizza Klatch programming going for the rest of the school year and many school years. We hope to see you there!