When I first came to Kalamazoo in 1993 for my job interview, I remember sitting in the room I had at a local bed & breakfast looking through the phone book to see if there were any LGBT organizations listed. I was pleasantly surprised to find the KGLRC listed; knowing that they were in town made it easier to stomach the cat calls when I walked down the street downtown holding my girlfriend's hand. Now, 19 years later, it's kind of amazing to me to realize how far I--and the Resource Center--have come. I've been getting newsletters for years, have given what I could since I moved to Kalamazoo, and really got to know the Resource Center with the Proposal A anti-domestic partnership ballot initiative in the early 2000's. Then I realized just how much a center the Resource Center has been for Kalamazoo. We've been through lean years since we were first established in 1988 and are, thankfully, entering a "not-so-lean" phase--thanks to a lot of hard work from a lot of people. My sincere thanks to Zach, Tracy, and David and all of our extraordinary volunteers for such a great year this year.... record-breaking turnout at Pride last weekend, a great youth mentorship program, and just great work from day to day. And--in the interests of full disclosure--I've been on the Board for two years.
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- EIN 38-2800996
- office@outfrontkzoo.org
- (269) 349-4234
- 340 S Rose St Kalamazoo MI 49007 USA
- www.outfrontkzoo.org
- Facebook page
- outfrontkzoo
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Nonprofit Overview
Mission: To be ‘out front’ means to be honest. To be visible. To lead. For over 30 years, OutFront Kalamazoo has worked to advance social justice, build coalitions, change hearts and open minds so that all people in southwest Michigan can live authentically and free from discrimination - regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation. OutFront Kalamazoo provides a safe and welcoming environment with a wide range of programs and services. We offer a place to be seen and heard and an opportunity to join with others who desire to live unapologetically, #AlwaysOutFront.
Target demographics: LGBTQ+ individuals
Geographic areas served: Southwest Michigan
Programs: CONNECTIONS YOUTH GROUP--weekly support group for LGBTQ+ youth ages 12-17.
TRANSCEND TRANSGENDER SUPPORT GROUP--bi-monthly meetings for transgender individuals. EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH PANELS--LGBTQ+ Speakers Panels for area schools, organizations, churches and places of business.
HOTLINE--support and information resources regarding the LGBTQ+ community
COMMUNITY CENTER--open 5 days a week to serve the LGBTQ+ community as a meeting site, library and information source.
ENEWS--a bi-weekly newsletter of issues, activities, and events of interest to the Queer community & allies.
POLITICAL ACTIVISM & ADVOCACY--to encourage community participation in issues of concern to the LGBTQ+ community and our friends.