The End of Summer Update

We're within the last few days of summer and what a summer it's been! We had great numbers at Dayton Pride this year with sponsorships and participation breaking records. We packed Courthouse Square and the adjacent Third Street. The parade was the longest it's ever been with over 75 participating organizations. We could not have pulled it off if not for the help of a number of volunteers, including Matt Turner, Darryl Demure, Rob Waldron, Arione Decardeza, Bailey Macintosh, Nicki Royce, the Board of Greater Dayton LGBT Center, and so many more. Thank you! Now we move into autumn and we have a lot going on.

You've probably heard by now that The Center has moved from our Jefferson Street location to just a few blocks away at 136 N. Saint Clair Street. We purchased the building formerly owned by Graphics Terminal at the beginning of the year and began moving things in right after Pride.

We knew when we purchased the space that it would require a lot of work turning it from a printing shop to a community center. Luckily we had some awesome volunteers, led by RJ McKay, John Gantt, Scotty Didier, Gus Hotta, and Jim Garvey do a lot of the preliminary work in making the space functional. There is still a lot of work to do, but we're getting there and will announce an official Grand Opening soon.

Although The Center isn't "officially" complete, we're still holding some events and being a resource to the community. With that in mind, there are several upcoming events to tell you about.

One of the benefits of having the new space is the opportunity to support and showcase the community. The Greater Dayton community has an abundance of talented LGBTQ+ artists and we wanted to feature some of those artists with an art show.

Join us on Saturday October 7, 2023 from 7pm until 10pm at our space at 136 N. Saint Clair Street to meet some local artists and see and potentially purchase some of their work.

This reception will include food, beverages, music and entertainment. Tickets are $25 for the reception and include a raffle ticket to one of the pieces of art being raffled off.

Some of the artists joining us for the art show are Red Newman, Karen Shirk from Aiko's Gallery, John Gebhardt, Gage Gatlyn, Vic Nigro from Triad Gallery, Amanda Lehman, Josh Stucky and others. Artists are donating a portion or all of the proceeds from the sale of their art to Greater Dayton LGBT Center.

Tickets can be purchase at the door or online at www.daytonlgbtcenter.org

Other Upcoming Events at The Center

Other events coming up include Telling our Stories--A National Coming Out Day Event on Wednesday, October 11 from 6-8pm at The Center. Come share and listen as we tell our coming out stories.

This is Trans is a portrait exhibit by transgender photographer, Mx. Vincent-Natasha Gay. On Saturday, October 28 from 6-9pm the exhibit opens with a reception and transgender health fair at The Center. This is free and open to the public. The exhibit will stay up and will be open to the public through the month of November.

The annual Thanksgiving Community Dinner will be held on Saturday, November 18 from 4-6pm. Turkey and the sides will be served. Feel free to bring a dessert to share. The annual business meeting of the membership will be held at 6pm. All members are encouraged to attend, get updates about The Center and vote for new board members.