Tuesday, November 10, 2020

What We Need

Connecticut has a number of LGBTQ centers down in the southern part of the state but none in the capitol region. It does have a LGBTQ health collective but no community center like it used to have until mismanagement ended it.

What got me on this subject is a trans art show that is being held in Hartford.
New LGBTQ art gallery in Hartford showing work by transgender artists
Hartford Courant |
By Susan Dunne
November 9, 2020


A new gallery in Hartford that will be devoted to artworks reflecting the LGBTQ experience is being inaugurated this month with “Trans-cending Art,” a show of work by transgender Connecticut artists.

The gallery is inside Chez Est, the gay bar-restaurant at 458 Wethersfield Ave. The exhibit will run until Nov. 30. The dates coincide with Trangender Awareness Week, which is Nov. 13 to 19. Events will be held in conjunction with that observance, starting with an in-person and virtual fundraiser for a transgender hotline on Nov. 8.

Patrick Dunn, executive director of New Haven Pride Center, curated the show, which has works by Tia Lynn “Bubblicious” Waters, Daniel Mena, Tony Ferraiolo, Elliott Grinnell, Jules Larson and Reed Miller.
[…]
The Trans Lifeline Benefit will be held Nov. 8 from 3 to 9:30 p.m. at Chez Est. Dunn called the emergency phone number “the only hotline in existence specifically for trans people.”

There used to be a Pride center in the same building as the health collective where they had a stage, kitchen and a couple of meeting rooms, the MCC Church also meet there along with several support groups including the Twenty Club. But all that ended suddenly rumor has it that it was mismanagement.

What I think Hartford needs is a drop-in place for the community. Someplace where you can stop by for a coffee and meet friends. Chez Est is the last LGBTQ bar in Hartford and many people don’t like to hang out in bars, myself for one. I rather hang out at a coffee shop with live acoustical music where you can put your feet up have a coffee and listen to a guitar player. Or have a board game night.

But in the mean time go to the trans art show and donate to Trans Lifeline

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