NEW IN TOWN
Off Harris Avenue, there’s a little spot that just popped up called the ‘Q,’ and it’s San Angelo’s only safe space fully dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community.
At their grand opening, allies gathered in support of the Concho Valley ‘Q’ Center, where two of the founders, Jennie Wagner and Nicole Lozano, welcomed them and offered tours of the place.
Wagner says, “We’re a LGBTQ resource center. We provide support groups and a variety of other community programs. For youth, adults, allies, and queer folk alike.”
The building that last served as home to theatre classes for the Broadway Academy now houses a living room discussion space, complete with a library of books banned from some libraries, along with queer literature.
Here, they’ll host support groups, but importantly be a dedicated safe space for LGBTQ+ neighbors.
The Importance of Safe Spaces
“[Y]outh spend most of their lives in schools, navigating through the difficult and threatening space. Schools can be a threatening space for LGBTQ youth as they experience increased victimization and a lack of safety. This fact is alarming since students spend most of their time in schools, approximately 175 to 220 days per year with an average of 5 to 8.5 hours per school day.
National Institute of Health, “Social support in schools and related outcomes for LGBTQ youth: a scoping review.” Leung, et al. 2022.
“Schools, then, can be thought of as youths’ second home, particularly concerning for LGBTQ youth due to the lack of safety in their school environment.”
Concho Valley ‘Q’ President Nicole Lozano’s previous experience with these programs came from her time in Lincoln, Nebraska.
The local ‘Q’ Center was inspired in part by similar programs are already established in Nebraska, through an organization called OutNebraska, providing similar community services, like education programs, and serving as a vital home away from home.
The ‘Q’ in San Angelo is partnered with Pride Center West Texas, from Midland.
Youth programs like these are far more common in other states, where they lead to significantly improved health outcomes.
According to the UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent, LGBTQ youth who are accepted by their families have greater levels of self-esteem and lower levels of depression, substance abuse, and self-harming behaviors.
“We have tables we can use as a co-working space, for groups, education, speakers. ‘Lunch and Learn’, those kinds of things,” said Lozano.
Among the features of the space is a closet that will stock gender affirming clothing.
Wagner says that the community has been very supportive so far.
“I’ve been really excited about how the community have reacted. So many people that are just thrilled that we are doing this, we get to dream about some of the things we can get to do as a standalone LGBTQ center,” she said.
“It’s been so overwhelming the positive feedback we’ve gotten from the community before we even opened our doors. It makes me so excited to see what we can cook up and do this in the future.”
Interested in getting involved? Visit their website here.
Weekly Youth Group Planned
“Space to be Me” LGBTQ+ Youth Support Group
- Ages 12-18
- Starting date June 10th – will meet Wednesday evenings from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
- 2032 W Harris Ave, San Angelo, TX 76901
