Cocoa Mocha welcomes LGBT teens, family and community

On the third Friday of every month, from 7-10 p.m., the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Youngstown hosts a coffee social. The event, known as Cocoa Mocha, is an effort organized by the Welcoming Congregation to support teens, young adults and families of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders. This monthly program offers open mic nights, guest speakers, films and self-defense classes.Program founder Marita Emmert started Cocoa Mocha in January 2009. Her mission was to establish the program as a monthly youth group to support LGBT teens and families, but also welcome members of all communities. Most importantly, Emmert wanted to construct a program where LGBT youth and young adults can communicate with their peers about issues they are experiencing. The program also helps bring parents of LGBT teens closer to their children and better understand their concerns.

"The Welcoming Congregation and I are concentrating on youth of all ages, giving LGBT youth a safe place to hang out during the weekend," Emmert said.

Marguerite Felice, co-founder of Cocoa Mocha and Welcoming Congregation, views the program as a safe haven for LGBT teens and young adults, as well as their parents. Felice is vice president of the local chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, and is working to help schools formulate gay-straight alliances. PFLAG is a national effort to secure the rights and well-being of individuals in the gay and lesbian communities.

"I wanted to create a family friendly event for the LGBT community. There is huge representation of high school students, as well as adults. Many of our participants and regulars are students from the YSU Early College," Felice said.

Felice hopes to expand the Cocoa Mocha program, and views it as a means of creating awareness. She mentioned that the program celebrates the Day of Silence, which is a day established by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. Since 1996, the Day of Silence has been held every April, and features students taking a day-long vow of silence to represent the silencing of members of the LGBT community.

"I am happy to see there is a comfortable space for the children who have had difficult times coming out to their families. It's a must for teens and young adults who need support," Felice said.

Felice mentioned that even though diversity is embraced, sometimes parents of gay and lesbian children still have a lot of misperceptions. Felice wants to help adjust those barriers.

Susie Beiersdorfer, a Cocoa Mocha organizer and Welcoming Congregation member, said the program is vital to the community. She stated that the Cocoa Mocha program began as a way to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Matthew Shepard's death in October 2008.

"The Welcoming Congregation and I wanted to make a monthly youth gathering program for LGBT teenagers and young adults that is a perfect alternative to bars," Biersdorfer said.

Emmert hopes to expand the program, allowing the youth group to participate in some community work.

"We originally started as a community activity program to welcome the community into the First Unitarian Universalist Church, but we have expanded," Emmert said.

YSUnity President Javonne LaFontaine, also a member of PFLAG, said she feels part of a larger whole by participating in the Cocoa Mocha monthly series.

"I am part of the community that plans the events. I love hanging out with my friends here. Cocoa Mocha started out as a coffeehouse for teens. Now it is a monthly event and hangout," LaFontaine said.

LaFontaine mentioned that each month features different events, including drum circles and sock hops. To LaFontaine, the Cocoa Mocha program is the ideal combination of fun and togetherness, but most importantly, the program increases awareness.