Lesbian, gay center 'saving lives'
Rainbow Alley marks its grand opening

By Bernada Wallace
Rocky Mountain News Staff Writer

Six years ago, Jonta Davis tried to kill herself by swallowing a half- bottle of aspirin.

She wanted to end her life because of the hardships she faced as a lesbian.

But Thursday, the 19-year-old said she's glad she lived because of Rainbow Alley, a gay and lesbian youth center that has given her and many other young adults hope.

The drop-in center hosted a grand opening Thursday afternoon with about 50 people attending, including Denver Mayor Wellington Webb, who stopped by to show his support.

"Every person needs a special place to go they can call home," Webb said.

"This is a part of our community," he said, adding that it is not a place of controversy.

Rainbow Alley is Denver's first supervised drop-in center for gay, lesbian and bisexual people. Similar centers are operating in New York, Los Angeles, Seattle and Minneapolis, said Emily Hassler, director of youth services for the center.

"There's a real trend," she said.

The facility, at 919 E. 14th Ave., is a project of The Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Community Services Center of Colorado (The Center) and was funded with a $35,000 grant from Denver's Safe City program.

The center's summer goal is to provide a safe support system for 100 people ages 11 to 25.

They topped it with youths who came from as far as Pueblo, Greeley and Boulder to check out the facility.

"It was my dream," Hassler said.

In its third week, the center already has made an impact on the lives of several youth.

Ben Santistevan, 13, said the center is a fun place he can go to relax without being concerned about acceptance.

"I realized I have to have pride in myself," he said.

While holding up a chain around his neck, he explained that the triangles on the chain represent homosexuality and the rainbow of colors represents unity and acceptance.

Davis said the center has become a great reality for young adults.

"We are saving lives here, and that's what the center is about."

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