‘The sky’s the limit’ at Centre County’s first LGBTQ+ center, set to open soon

Centre County’s first LGBTQ+ center is set to open next month in downtown State College, with a celebration planned for the space that has a mission of welcoming all community members.

The center, located at 204 E. Calder Way, Suite 304, will be a “safe, quiet space” for Centre County’s queer community, said Pia Smal, who is the founder and board president of the Centre LGBT+ organization, also known as the Centre LGBTQA Support Network. The support network formed in August 2014 and has brought advocacy, support groups, Pride events and more to the area. A physical location has been in the works since the group was formed, Smal said.

“Our motto for the center is that we’re a radically welcoming space,” she said. “Our goal is to make sure that everyone that walks through our doors — whether they’re part of the queer community or not — feels safe, accepted and welcome in that space.”

The space will include a reception area where people can sit and chat over a cup of coffee, Smal said. It will also include a “work room” where interns, high school and college students can come to do homework and a “little library/reading nook.”

The Centre LGBT+ free clothing closet that’s currently located at 3 Dots Downtown will also move to the new location.

“That’s a space where people can find clothing that matches who they are (and) how they want to portray themselves,” Smal said.

Support and social groups hosted by the Centre LGBTQA Support Network will be provided “a large open space,” Smal said, adding that they hope to expand those groups once the new center opens. At the top of the list is an after-school youth program, which Smal said the group plans to start if there’s interest in the community.

Along with various groups, Centre LGBT+ is also hoping to host other activities like book club, poetry night and yoga, Smal said. The plan is for the center to be open most days during the week and probably weekends.

“The sky’s the limit,” Smal said.

In Smal’s eyes, a queer-friendly space is desperately needed in Centre County.

“Outside of Chumley’s, there really aren’t any dedicated queer spaces in State College (and) Centre County,” Smal said. “This is going to be the first LGBTQ space outside of the university.”

Kerry Wiessmann, a founding member of the support network, called the center a “dream come true,” in a press release issued about the opening.

“We will be able to provide more services to LGBT+ people and our community. It has been heartbreaking to see LGBT+ individuals across the country die prematurely and to have a ‘home’ means we now have an inclusive space to provide resources that could save lives,” she said.

Smal said creating the center now is important because of an uptick in anti-LGBTQ laws. And though Penn State and State College being named among the most LGBTQ-friendly places in the U.S. is “great to have on paper,” it’s not necessarily the reality for every queer person in the area, Smal said.

“The reality is that people live in our communities, and not everyone is welcoming and affirming,” she said. “There are certainly instances of transphobia and homophobia in this community that many people in the queer community have experienced.”

Because identity is becoming increasingly politicized, it is increasingly important to have spaces “where we can disconnect from that argument about who we are and just simply be,” Smal said.

Lee Anne Jeffries, director of the Downtown State College Improvement District, called the center a “wonderful addition to our local support network.”

“It’s imperative that Centre LGBT+’s home base is downtown where their services and support will directly impact those in the community. We welcome the team with open arms and will provide the resources they need to be successful here,” she said in a press release.

The Sept. 10 ceremonial ribbon cutting and grand opening is open to all residents. Taking place from 3-6 p.m., it will also include musical performances from local artists, poetry readings and more. For more information, visit centrelgbtqa.squarespace.com.