No, just show up on one of our RYA Youth Group Sundays! See RYA’s Event Calendar. 

RYA is for 13- to 18-year-olds (in middle/junior high or high school) from the DC Metro Area. While we are located in Rockville and target Montgomery County residents, youth from the whole DMV area are very welcome to join us.

No. RYA is all about supporting LGBTQIA+ youth, and we don’t want parental permission to be a barrier for anyone. We believe every youth should have access to support, regardless of whether their parents are on board with their queer identities.

Yes! RYA youth group meetings are for teens 13 to 18. We keep things substance-free and weapons-free to ensure a safe, welcoming space for everyone. If these expectations are not followed, youth may be asked to leave. This is all about making sure you feel comfortable and supported at RYA events.

Our facilitators have first-hand experience in the queer/trans community, and they’re here to create a space where you can participate as much (or as little) as you want.

Your name and pronouns are always respected, and some people even use RYA as a place to try out new names or pronouns. Our goal is to make sure you have a positive, inclusive experience.

The Youth Group space is wheelchair accessible, with elevator access to the lower level of UUCR. Plus, we’ve got cozy seating and snacks during meetings, so you can feel comfortable, inside and out.

At every RYA youth support group, we have three adults – one greeter and two facilitators. The greeter ensures that only youth who are 13 to 18 years old enter the group. The facilitators are trained to help create a space where you feel safe, affirmed, and comfortable. They are experienced at working with youth who are neurodiverse and have a range of gender identities and/or sexual orientations.

Staff and volunteers who work with youth complete applications, interviews, background checks, trainings, and ongoing supervision to meet the specific needs of RYA youth. Training includes sensitivity to youth issues, how to address your specific questions and concerns, facilitating meetings, how to respond to problems, mental health first aid, and emergency management.

No, RYA is not a religious program. The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Rockville (UUCR) is RYA’s fiscal sponsor and provides regular support, along with space for Youth Group meetings.

You don’t need to be a member of UUCR to participate in RYA — you can belong to any faith, or no faith.

You can feel welcome in the UUCR building, knowing that their values align with ours in embracing, celebrating, and supporting LGBTQIA+ people of all ages and identities.

RYA participates in some other events throughout the year, such as Rockville Pride, Montgomery County Pride, and Hometown Holidays. See our upcoming community programming on the Events Calendar. 

We would love to offer more programs and activities for you! If you have ideas or know of an organization or business that would like to support or fund more RYA programs, please let us know by emailing coordinator@rainbowyouthalliancemd.org.

No, RYA doesn’t provide counseling or mental health treatment. We’re a peer-to-peer support group led by trained adults. While some of our staff and volunteers are licensed mental health professionals, we don’t offer therapy or treatment. Recommendations for mental health resources within the LGBTQIA+ community may be available.