Engagement

We have been having a lot of discussion around the center lately about engagement.

The Las Cruces gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning (glbtq) center has been open for six months, if you count from our April soft opening, and the reception has been good. We have thirteen groups meeting at the center on a monthly basis, new people coming in all the time, and the support from the greater community has been excellent. These are all good things, but we know we can do better.

Based on 2009 estimated census data, the estimated glbtq population of Dona Ana County is 10,115. If we were reaching just 1% of that population weekly we would have 101 visitors to the Las Cruces Center each week. We haven't done the analysis of our visitors log yet but we are not seeing 101 people per week. It is more like 25 people per week, hence the discussions about engagement.

A community center will never engage 100% of the community, no organization does that, but we can, and should, strive toward that level of engagement. Why are we only engaging 25% of the glbtq community in Dona Ana County? Several things come to mind off the bat. Newness. We are still new and the community is still learning about us and our programs and services. Apathy. Some members of the community may just not care or feel a need for a community center. Fear. Folks who are not out, just coming out or struggling with their sexual orientation or gender identity may be afraid to come in, not knowing if their situation will be treated confidentially or if it is a safe place.

Our current programming is based on the volunteers we have and their skills, knowledge and interests. Is the programming mix correct or do we need additional or different groups? One thing we have been attempting to add since we opened is a bi-lingual capacity. We want to have either a Spanish language support group or a translator at each of our groups. The volunteers to allow us to do this have not come forward yet. We are open to starting additional groups and welcome suggestions.

Are we using the right vehicles to spread the word and is the message correct? This is the nagging question in the conversation. It is the one that we have the least information  in assessing the current situation and to plan strategy and tactics going forward.

Before we move on to build out the network of regional community centers  planned for New Mexico, we have to get Las Cruces right. This is the pilot center, the place where we work the bugs out, the place that creates the model for success in communities across New Mexico. It is in everyone's interest from Albuquerque to Hobbs, from Silver City to Taos, Farmington and Santa Fe for us to get Las Cruces right. So how do we do that? What are your thoughts?

GLBTQ History? Yes, We Have One.

Like to Write?..... We're looking for Bloggers

Image: Simon Howden / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you like to write and would like to contribute to Enriching Connections we are looking for Bloggers. You would be writing about topics, issues and events of interest to the glbtq community in New Mexico. The posts would not always be specific to New Mexico GLBTQ Centers. Writers will have a great deal of freedom to select topics and express their viewpoint with appropriate disclaimers. If you are interested email David at dstocum@newmexicoglbtqcenters.org.

NEW MEXICO GLBTQ CENTERS CELEBRATES LGBT CENTER AWARENESS DAY

New Mexico GLBTQ Centers (NM Centers) is joining with CenterLink: The National Community of LGBT Centers to celebrate the annual LGBT Center Awareness Day, September 15, 2010. New Mexico GLBTQ Centers will hold a screening of the film Excluded, Nowhere To Go: Immigration Struggles of a Gay Bi-National Couple at the Las Cruces GLBTQ Center, 1210 N. Main St. at 7:00PM on September 15th.

Excluded, Nowhere To Go: Immigration Struggles of a Gay Bi-National Couple follows Tony and Thomas, a gay, bi-national couple, over the past 16 years. Like all gay and lesbian Americans, Tony is excluded from the federal right to bring in his foreign partner to live legally with him in the United States. This predicament has radically shaped the course of Tony's and Thomas' lives. At the moment, their solution is to live nomadically, perpetually traveling around the world rather than living in any one nation. Their story is both tragic and brave. The film will be followed by a discussion.

"Every year we think it’s vital that people recognize the pivotal role LGBT centers play in our community," said Terry Stone, CenterLink's Executive Director. "Estimates of over 40,000 people visit centers each week and access programs and services that literally build community from the center. We have seen the effects on communities served by LGBT centers, including financial, health, wellness, and community organizing impacts, and we are excited to highlight that work through Center Awareness Day."

The theme of this year's LGBT Center Awareness Day is "Building Our Community From The Center," showcasing the integral role that community centers play in the development, unification, and empowerment of all LGBT communities. In addition to the film screening and discussion, NM Centers will be hosting a Legislative Town Hall with representatives of City Council, County Commission and New Mexico House and Senate at 7:00PM on September 16 and a benefit Art Show and Sale at the Preston Contemporary Art Center at 6:30PM on September 18.

“LGBT Center Awareness Day is about connecting communities and enriching lives which is what we work for every day,” said New Mexico GLBTQ Centers Executive Director, David Stocum.

LGBT Center Awareness Day also has a civil rights equality push on a national scope with an organized effort for municipal, county, and state proclamations honoring the day and the work that LGBT centers do, as well as efforts to get individuals everywhere engaged in "personal awareness actions" ranging from wearing a button to visiting a center.

City Council will be issuing a proclamation at its September 7th City Council meeting, and the Dona Ana County Commission will be doing the same at the September 14th Commission meeting.

“This is the first year Las Cruces has had a GLBTQ center,” stated Stocum, “we opened this past spring and are the only GLBTQ community Center in New Mexico.” He continued, “The center offers a variety of programs and services from a youth center, support groups, and library to social activities like Pride Cinema @ The Center.”

Details about LGBT Center Awareness Day are available at http://www.mycenterlink.org/