On April 13, Compton's Table hosted the first ever "Hello My Name Is" Name Change Clinic. There were over 30 people in attendance to receive information regarding how to legally change their name in Erie County. Attorney Seth Trott of Quinn Law Firm gave a presentation detailing the entire process, and he volunteered his time to represent 10 participants in obtaining their legal name change. At the name change clinic, Compton's board members aided in completing all the necessary paperwork for 10 participants to get started on their name change. Compton's Table eagerly looks forward to planning another event like this in the future, as this one was a major success and had a lot of community interest.

Compton's Table is looking to update our well-used resource, the Safe Space list. We are sending out an anonymous survey where community members can detail workplaces, social spaces, and housing spaces where they have had positive or negative experiences. Several people in the community come to Compton's seeking resources, and we want to have the most up to date information for them. The list of safe spaces will be posted on the Compton's Table website and updated regularly. Find the list and check out all Compton's Table offers at www.comptonstable.org. Take the survey at https://www.qrfy.com/kJbYiOvgYP

Compton's Table is partnering with Atty Seth Trott from Quinn Law Firm to provide a free Name Change Clinic on April 13, 2024, from 1:30 to 3:30 PM at 3104 State Street, Erie, PA. Attendees will learn how to navigate the name change process. Compton's can cover the costs for 10 participants' name change fees. We know not everybody is ready to go through the legal process, so we encourage those interested in learning to attend. Registration is required for the event. Registration does not guarantee you will be one of the ten to have your legal process covered.

After a record number of applications and on the recommendation of its Grants Committee, the LGBT Funds Advisory Board selected Compton's Table as this year's recipient of the Funds' annual grant.

On Saturday, December 16th, Compton's Table held its inaugural holiday social and fundraiser, Cookies and Queen. Guests gathered at the Compton's Table studio to enjoy cookies, hot cocoa, make-your-own ornament crafts, and an exceptional performance and reading by local drag artist and reigning Miss Erie Shea D'Heaux. This family-friendly event was designed to bring together members of the queer community and their loved ones for the festive season. "We realize that for many in the LGBTQ+ community, the holidays can be a challenging time," said Compton's Table board secretary Christina Salvia. "We wanted to host a holiday event that felt safe, inclusive, and fun for all, and to that end, I think we succeeded." Approximately 25 guests attended Cookies and Queen, which Compton's Table hopes will be only the first event of its kind. "Making connections and building community are two of our primary goals," Salvia said. "We hope to incorporate many more fun, family-friendly events like these into our programming in the future."

True North: Compton's Table is very excited to announce the rollout of our new ILP (independent living program) beginning in January 2024. The program, True North, is an 8-week program tailored to the specific needs of queer youth and young adults (16-21 yrs old) in our region. Key components of True North include financial literacy, finding and maintaining housing, self-care and mental health, career development, legal rights & advocacy, cooking & nutrition, networking & social skills, and more! True North is a free program, thanks to the LGBT Funds of the Erie Community Foundation, and you can register at www.comptonstable.org. For any questions, email info@comptonstable.org.

On October 19-21, Compton's Table held a book fair at their studio in collaboration with local bookshop Werner Books. The owners and staff at Werner Books curated a thoughtful selection of titles centering queer voices and experiences, including many books that have been challenged or banned from schools and public libraries. The event also included a special family-friendly story hour featuring local drag artist Alysin Wonderland.

Compton's Table, with its mission to foster a sustainable and affirming environment, has swiftly become a beacon of hope and community for queer youth and young adults in Erie County. Compton's Table was founded in response to the deeply concerning rates of suicide among queer youth in the United States, spurring founder and queer rights advocate, Dr. Tyler Titus, into action.

On Sunday, August 20th, Compton's Table hosted its second-annual Back to School Shopping Spree and School Supply Giveaway. For the first event co-sponsored by Macy's at the Millcreek Mall, queer youth nominees were invited on a private $250 shopping spree at Macy's. There, they could shop for gender-affirming clothing, accessories, and grooming products in a safe, supportive environment, plus take advantage of the Macy's team's expert style advice. Then, Compton's Table opened its doors to the community, distributing backpacks, school supplies, and gently used clothes from their studio at Central Outreach Wellness Center. Following two successful years, this dual back to school giveaway has become one of Compton's Table's signature events.

Compton’s Table, Inc is excited to offer an amazing opportunity made possible by our local Macy’s at Millcreek Mall. Macy’s and Compton’s knows that going back to school can be a huge stress point for queer youth and their families. We decided to join forces to do something about it!

THURSDAY, MARCH 9 at 7 p.m. - Wren Genua and Christina Salvia, M.S. Compton's Table: Empowering LGBTQ+ Youth Erie Center for Arts & Technology (ECAT) - Erie, PA. Compton's Table, a local nonprofit, was launched in 2021 to combat social isolation that led to increased suicidality among LGBTQ+ youth. Learn from board members Wren Genua and Christina Salvia, who will present on the past, present, and future of Compton's Table.

On February 19th, Compton's Table hosted their Sweet Re-Lease fundraising event. The organization opened their doors to showcase the new space located next to Central Outreach. All funds raised went directly back into the programming and services offered at Compton's Table for queer youth between 21-24 yrs old. The primary sponsors for the event were Moxi Hair Salon, Central Outreach, and VooDoo Brewery. Attendees enjoyed a performance by Optimistic Apocalypse as they supported the mission of Compton's Table. Founder and Board Chair, Dr. Tyler Titus (they/them), said, "We are incredibly grateful for the support we have received from the community. We could not do the work we do without those who contribute to Compton's so that we can create a safe, affirming space for our youth and young adults." Learn more at www.comptonstable.org

Penn State Erie, the Behrend College and Compton's Table are proud to present As I Am, an exhibition of artwork made by youth in our local LGBTQIA+ community. The deadline to submit is Friday, January 13, and the show will run from January 19 to February 24.

Penn State Erie, the Behrend College and Compton's Table are proud to present As I Am, an exhibition of artwork made by youth in our local LGBTQIA+ community. Please join us for an opening reception on Thursday, January 19 from 5-7pm in the upper hallway of the Kochel Center at Penn State Erie. The show will be visible from January 17 until February 24.

Compton’s Table is holding youth study nights at their PACA studio, 1505 State St, Erie PA, on Mondays from 6-7:30 PM, They’ll be adding more nights soon. For details, folks can email info@comptonstable.org.

With the start of a new school year there is always a long list of supplies every student needs to have for their first day of classes. This week, with some help from the collaboration of many local entities, those lists seemed a bit more manageable for many LGBTQ+ youth in our area.

Back to School in True-Style: Compton’s Table is excited to offer a fantastic opportunity made possible by our local Macy’s at Millcreek Mall. On August 21st, Macy’s is opening their doors to Compton’s Table and selected youth for a private shopping event with store credit! You read that right - free clothes & private shopping event! If you know a youth or young adult who would benefit from this opportunity, please fill out the nomination form on our website, www.ComptonsTable.org

Compton's Table is hosting Drag-tastic Youth & Young Adult event at their new location, 1505 State St, Erie, PA. On Tuesday, August 2nd from 5-9 PM, you will learn how to build your drag character, design your costume, do your make-up, work the crowd, and put it all together on the stage for a drag show! This event is for queer youth 20 years & under to let loose in a safe, affirming space. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided. Allies can attend to support the performers. Masks will be required. Performers may take them off while on stage. Registration is a MUST even if you are not performing. Head over to www.ComptonsTable.org to sign up!

Compton’s Table has a new home, PACA, 1505 State St, Erie, PA! We are building out this space to reach even more youth with AFFIRM, Compton’s Closet, and future programming. We will have an open house at the end of August and look forward to opening our doors for the community to come to check out what we have going on and what’s in store for the future. Be sure to follow our Facebook and Instagram pages for more updates!

Compton's Table will be opening a second location of Compton's Closet inside PACA, 1505 State St, Erie Pa - a free resource for queer youth and young adults that provides gender-affirming clothing, accessories, and hygiene products- in June. Stay tuned for our opening day by following us on Instagram @Comptons_Table, our Facebook page, or on our website www.ComptonsTable.org

Compton's Table has a new queer youth support group called AFFIRM. It is a CBT-based group to learn stress management and coping skills while connecting with other queer youth. There are two sets of online Zoom meetings being offered from September through November.

Compton's Table has a new queer youth support group called AFFIRM. It is a CBT-based group to learn stress management and coping skills while connecting with other queer youth. There are two sets of online Zoom meetings being offered from August through October.

On Thursday, March 25 from 6:00-7:30 pm, Compton's Table, Greater Erie Alliance for Equality (GEAE) and Journey to a Trauma-Informed Life will be hosting a virtual connect for queer youth. Come join us for a night of community, laughter, and chill. No real agenda, just a safe, virtual space.

On the fourth Thursday of each month, from 6:00-7:30 pm, Compton's Table, Greater Erie Alliance for Equality (GEAE) and Journey to a Trauma-Informed Life will be hosting a virtual connect for queer youth. Come join us for a night of community, laughter, and chill. No real agenda, just a safe, virtual space. The next two Teen Chat and Chill events will be on March 25 and April 22. Preregistration is required to ensure a safe, affirming environment.

Join us on March 9, 2021 from 6:00pm - 7:30pm as Dr. Jamie Muskopf (she/her) shows us the power within a podcast. Dr. Jamie is an experienced creator who will lend her skills in using technology and platform to empower and elevate our lived experiences! Register for this virtual event for queer youth at Compton's Table web site at https://comptonstable.org/

In 1966 at Compton's Cafeteria, gender-expansive people responded to the hostility they were subjected to, simply because they existed, with an act of resistance. In solidarity, today, Compton's Table serves as a place where queer youth and young adults can find community and resist marginalization. Our mission is to eliminate systemic inequity, create community through peer connection, and empower queer youth and young adults to be agents of change. Together with the individuals and communities we serve, Compton's Table works to create a thriving LGBTQIAA community.