Cross post, Newlgbt blog

Eastern Rising continues to Rise..

A small group met today at the local teahouse social hangout called the Tipsy Teapot in Greenville, NC. These individuals met to discuss the need of a LGBT Community Center and starting a local pride event. Although the group was small, many great ideals came forth.

The main issue was what type of community center it would be. Would it be an Advocacy center, an educational center, or a social event center?

It was decided that it wouldn’t be a full out state Advocacy center, since we had a great Statewide Advocate group already in place. Equality NC is one of our greatest Organizations in our community. The work and progress they have made over the years are untouchable by any group.

This Center would be a combination of an Educational, and local advocacy center. Focusing on the needs of the local community first. While providing educational outreach and other services that are needed on the local level.

The Center will provide a local voice for the LGBT community in Pitt and the surrounding counties of Eastern North Carolina. It would also be a watch group, that would monitor local government bodies to stay up to date on local bills and ordinances that are up for a vote, which might have a negative impact on our community.

Through educational programs focused on helping those whom need help to express themselves more effectively. This would be done through a peer-to-peer program where local confused teens and coming out adults can come and talk with others whom have been through the same experience. This would also include a safe space where the teen can talk about their sexuality with their parents.

The center will also have a speaker program, which we hope will improve our community. This program will provide open education to the community by communicating to interested audiences (schools and churches) what it means to be an LGBT. The main goal is to eliminate bias and homophobia within our local community.

The center will also be a central hub of many groups as well. Almost like a one-stop resource center. The Center hopes to be able to provide office space for the following groups, Pflag, straight-gay alliance, and HIV testing and counseling center and substance abuse support groups.

It was also discussed that we need to work with local groups, which already exist in the area, like the Pitt CC Straight-Gay alliance and the ECU LGBT Student union.

On the pride front, the ECU LGBT Student Union is already discussing this issue. They welcome the input from the community as well. It seems that their plan for pride is only in the planning stage this year, they hope that next year they will able to bring Pride back to Greenville.