About 13th Cousin
Hi, I’m Ronda Browning.
As the founder and president of 13th Cousin, my vision came as one of the strongest impressions I had ever experienced. It was definitely inspiration that led me to create and organize the 13th Cousin. I felt a deep need to establish a community for both kids and adults for the LGBTQ community—a place where individuals can feel a sense of family and receive the support they deserve. A safe place. A place of acceptance.
MY STORY
I am what you call a late bloomer. I came out just a few years ago. To most, it wasn’t a surprise. I often joke that I was the last to know. The decision to come out wasn’t easy, and it has caused some of my longest relationships to end, but I have never felt better and more like myself. It was a time in my life of great change. I left the long time religion of my youth and came out as a queer person. My pronouns are her/she.
MY DREAM
Not long after coming out, I spent a considerable amount of time reading and researching the LGBTQ community. I quickly became aware of the lack of real community for kids. Don’t get me wrong, there are some great programs, but I felt such a strong push to create a safe and open space for kids who have come out.
THE DREAM COMES TRUE
One day, the thought occurred to me that I needed to establish a non-profit organization for the kids. They needed some place to hang out, to connect, to feel safe and supported. With that, the 13th cousin was organized. The number 13 gets a bad rap. Our 13 means so much more. “Number 13 in numerology portrays focus, independence, creativity, and a secure foundation.”
Why Cousin? Because aren’t we all really family? Shouldn’t we treat others like we love them, like family? We support them as family? When you become a 13th cousin, you become part of an organization that will love and support you like family. You want to go to a movie, call a cousin. You want to hang out and play some video games, call a cousin. You don’t want to go to that dance alone, call a cousin.
OUR PURPOSE
Family is the purpose of the 13th Cousin, creating a sense of belonging. We want everyone to feel supported and connected, as if they are part of a family. We are all cousins.
Meet our board
13th Cousin has a board of volunteers with members from the LGBTQ community. We are committed to the well-being and safety of the members of that community. Meet our board…
Ronda Browning - President
Sherri Black - Medical
Leon Paz
Jackson Gold - Finance
Shelley Wallis - the cool one
Jeremy Clark - Counseling
Barnett Moss
Justin Koeven
With Reta Whalen and Jack Browning as non-board member advisors
We also work in close conjunction with Ora Counseling and the Cache Collective in Logan, Utah, to ensure all the needs of our family are met.