Celebrating Pride with the Chippewa Valley LGBTQ+ Community Center

Chippewa Valley LGBTQ+ Community Center is a small space that makes big changes in the lives of those it reaches. Executive Director Kayla Johnson works alongside other board members at the center to provide yearlong support for queer individuals.

With a focus on enriching the lives of those in the LGBTQ+ community, the center lays out events and programs for people to feel at home in themselves and their environment. They host programs both annually and monthly for people to have access to connections and resources.

Johnson found herself responding to a job advertisement for the center in 2021 after having walked through her own journey of self-realization and searching for community. She wanted to take part in helping others accomplish the same for themselves.

“What drew me into the role was really coming into my identity myself and wanting to find community and also wanting to help people find community for themselves,” Johnson said.

Since her start in 2021, Johnson has worked with other board members and organizations to host numerous virtual and in person events for queer individuals. Over time, Johnson transitioned from a part-time position to being the center’s first full-time worker where she continues to find ways to understand what the people want and bring it to life.

Throughout the month, the center runs a Teen Hangout series. Here, high school students from the area, or any teen from the area between the ages 14 and 18, can come and relax. The center provides structured crafts and the space for teens to feel comfortable and make new friends.

The community center understands that in person events are not always accessible to everyone. Because of this, they run a digital chat room for people who prefer to meet online rather than in person. This digital space is also perfect for those outside of the area to connect with others.

In tandem with the events that the center puts on, they also house information to resources such as clothing and scholarship opportunities through their partnership with outside organizations.

One outside organization that they work with is Transforming the Valley. TTV is a volunteer-based organization that presents support groups and community closets for transgender or gender diverse individuals. The community closet is a donation-based shopping experience where people can gain access to free binders and clothes in a judgment free space.

The center is also honored to partner with the Andrew Cray Memorial Higher Education Fund, a scholarship that is offered to LGBTQ+ teens. Created in memory of Andrew Cray, an advocate, scholar, and beloved family member who sadly passed away in 2014, the scholarship is geared toward allowing teens to follow their passions and achieve their goals so that they may change lives similar to Cray.

In addition to their monthly programs, the center also hosts annual events that teens can look forward to. Johnson speaks of their Queer Prom, an annual event for teens to “come as they are” and have an enjoyable night where they can make friends and unwind. Each year, a theme is picked out and put together through the active involvement of the teens.

“We try to make both opportunities like Teen Hangout and Queer Prom for them to be like, ‘Hey, there’s other kids like me, and we can be together, and we can support each other’ cause that’s a really tough time in life so we do what we can to support the kids,” Johnson said.

Another annual event that people of all ages can look forward to attending is their Pride. Every year, the center is proud to host the area’s Pride which welcomes people from all over to meet both the members of the center and other amazing attendees and vendors. Although each Pride features different events, every Pride is sure to feature good music, people, performances, and activities that everyone can enjoy seeing and engaging with.

Johnson enthusiastically sums up pride in one word, “Amazing!” And this claim is backed up when she dives into the details of what to expect at this upcoming Pride.

“We will definitely have lots of vendors and activities, food. There is always some kind of entertainment. …We will have some music and fun, and we always close out our show with a drag performance by local performers who do that to help us out, and are all fantastic. So if you want to see some drag, it’s an all ages show so everybody’s welcome to come see,” Johnson said.

The Chippewa Valley LGBTQ+ Community Center welcomes anyone and everyone to stop in to one or all of their events and programs. With all the options that they offer, there is something for anyone, of any age, at any stage of life. The center is there to help and support their blossoming community.

Some specific events that one can mark their calendars for are:

• Pride in the Park, Eau Claire, WI | 2024
• Queer Prom, Eau Claire, WI | 2024
• Teen Hangout, Eau Claire, WI | 2024
• Gaming Nights, Eau Claire, WI | 2024

If one wants to learn more or to volunteer they are encouraged to stop in during their drop in hours. During these times, one is able to discuss various topics or future prospects. The center is always welcoming volunteers, and those who are interested in volunteering, can stop in or visit the center.

Chippewa Valley LGBTQ+ Center
505 S. Dewey St., Ste. 24, Eau Claire, WI
www.cvlgbt.org

Chippewa Valley Pride In The Park
Saturday, June 8
Phoenix Park, Eau Claire, WI