A few people ten years ago recognized the need for a neighborhood group where LGBT people could exchange knowledge, support, and scholarship.
a philanthropic organization is celebrating a generation of efforts to grow area and regional ties.
” It’s fascinating to support the LGBT+ community”, according to founding part Kerry Wiessmann,” and we have seen rapid progress since the beginning”.
Wiessmann recalls how a situation that occurred at her place of employment contributed to the need for for a class. She recalls that she was a guidance counselor for a nearby school district, and that my partner and I had to enroll her in my health plan.
While the district allowed its workforce to have private partners, as well as married spouses, on their plans, it would not make the exact benefit available to similar- sex couples. Wiessmann’s petition made rather a difference to this plan.
The law was in violation of the women’s “rights” under the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution, including the right to equal security of the laws without reference to sexual orientation or gender and the right to personal organization, as well as the Equal Rights Amendment of the Pennsylvania Constitution, according to the complaint filed with the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
” Things changed after that”, Wiessmann says,” We settled out of court to put an end to that bias”.
Also, 10 years later, people within the LGBT+ inhabitants, as well as their households, continue to face illegal actions, decisions and guidelines.
According to Terri Angeletti, leader of the Center County section of the ACLU,” the biggest challenges straight now seem to be coming from the nearby school boards.” Schools have elected school boards that have anti-LGBT goals, and they are changing the programmes to fit their own interests. From banning Gay- themed publications to the more intense, banning teachers from actually saying the word’ gay’ in classrooms”.
With hard, confusing and difficult situations in offices, schools and society at large, Centre LGBT+ fulfills an critical need for some.
” In this place, no one has to hide who they are”, says Centre LGBT+ Executive Director Cat Cook. ” We focus on existence- accepting, diverse shifts”.
A New Physical Home
In city State College, the organization made its permanent home at 204 East Calder Way in September. With lots of crystal and black metal, the exterior of an office building blends into its surroundings the way a well-designed office building does. However, the third floor springs to life with a kaleidoscope of blue, yellow, red, purple, green, hot pink and orange splashed onto each wall and flat surface in all shades of the iconic LGBT+ rainbow.
The space provides a physical area for in- person gathering.
” Having this space is one of my favorite things to happen with this group”, says Susan Marshall, Centre LGBT+ secretary and founding member.
” We have a space for coffee, a library, meeting rooms, spots for storytelling and a lounge with a video screen for watching programs to help educate”, Cook adds.
Another room contains oversized, multi- colored bean bag chairs and large picture windows. The entire suite of rooms has a welcoming, comfortable and warm ambience.
” Before we had this space, it was really hard to organize”, Marshall recalls. We had to arrange for all the groups to meet in. It makes a huge difference to have a spot for physical, in- person gathering”.
A typical day starts around 11 a. m., with people arriving for coffee and conversation or information.
” The library is a nice, comfortable spot”, Cook says. A smiling volunteer greets and tours visitors.
The center offers after-school drop-in hours on Wednesday and Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. and there are opportunities for students to socialize or study.
” Students can get homework help”, Cook continues, “or play games or just chat”.
Parents of LGBT+ people can also find resources there. According to Marshall, “parents with older children who have come out can find the information they need to help understand their kids.” And these conversations are excellent.
The current group started as a local PFLAG ( Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays ) organization, which was a local success.
According to Cook,” We started seeing a need for an organization where we could let them know they’re not alone,” and” we started seeing a rise in suicide rates in young people in the LGBT community.”
One of the formative events, in early 2014, took place at in downtown State College.
In an opening speech at the Calder Way space, Wiessman recalled the earlier time, saying,” Then in January we started with Friday Night Live at Webster’s, thanks to Elaine Meder, who was all about creating an affirming LGBT+ space. FNL was an open- mic event featuring an opener, music or poetry, followed by local people who shared their stories, their jokes and their own music. This was very different from the typical music scene as it was attended by high schoolers, homeless people, local politicians and Webster’s regulars”.
A Full Calendar
As the group continued to find ways to engage both young and old, a myriad of events occurred. And the experiences they make for the locals demonstrate creativity, imagination, and commitment to having fun while providing positive activities.
” We have Drag Bingo, where the drag queens call the card numbers”, says Cook,” and there are drag performances between games”. Drag Queen Story Hour “really gets kids interested in reading”, Cook says. Among other events and activities, Centre LGBT+ holds a Movie Night, Disco Night and Poetry and Storytelling. Their website,, has plenty of detail, photos and descriptions of events.
And, of course, in June the organization holds State College Pride, including the June 8 parade and festival. With nearly 1, 000 marchers, the State College Pride parade rivals those held in Washington, D. C., and New York City. Featuring plenty of banners, streamers, music, dancing and general vibrancy, the pageantry inspires descriptions like “electrifying”, “vivid”, “dramatic”, and “entertaining”.
LGBT+ Gayla, sort of a prom for adults, gives participants the chance for dance, music and fellowship, while enjoying a tantalizing array of food and drink. The Gayla this year took place in January at Titan Hollow in Bellefonte.
For all the fun and inclusivity, Centre LGBT+ still faces challenges. Marshall says she wants to pique the interest of younger people who want to lead organizations.
We do a lot of work, and some new volunteers would help sustain us, she says,” I hope we can find ways to make room for new people on our Board of Directors.”
Numerous social and support organizations require scheduling and space from the organization’s administrators. These include Shout Out for grades 5 though 9, BYOQ ( Bring Your Own Queer ) for grades 9 through 12, Pride in Progress, an alcohol- free group for 18- to 25- year- olds, and LGBT+ Golden Group, for those 55 and up.
Cook says,” I enjoy hearing all the laughter and stories told by these groups.”
Other challenges over the years include the COVID- 19 pandemic, which impeded in- person events, moving Pride online temporarily. Cook claims that the organization struggles to reach rural youth.
” We need to let them know we’re here for them and have space for them”, she says. So we make an effort to reach out to the district schools so they can share the message with students.
The first Coming Out Day event was held at Penns Valley Elementary School in October 2021 by Centre LGBT+.
” We brought cookies”, Cook says,” and just celebrated with the students”.
She finds it advantageous to have the support of the neighborhood.
” They want to see us grow”, Cook says,” and help us get more resources, and not just during Pride month”.
More Work to Be Done
Wiessmann, due to her experience with the health insurance policy, cautions other workers.
” It’s still legal in the state of Pennsylvania to dismiss workers due to their sexuality”, she says. ” So people need to read contracts carefully”.
While language in certain laws may not provide equal protection, Angeletti stresses that the LGBT+ community, as well as their families, friends and anyone else concerned about the Constitution, has a valuable tool at their disposal.
She asserts that” we the people have the power to change policies we do n’t like at the ballot box.” ” Please vote in every election. Elections matter”. T&G
Anne Dyer Walker is a freelance writer based in Bellefonte.
