As a queer citizen of the central valley, I think Fresno, as a city, needs more resources for LGBTQ+ individuals.

There are Fresno organizations that are queer-focused and many nonqueer-centric organizations are inclusive. But the lack of a general resource center for the city of Fresno’s size is kind of mind-blowing.

Common Space, located on Fulton Avenue downtown, is a start. But it is a very cramped and small space used mostly for group meetings.

The old physical LGBTQ+ center here in Fresno unfortunately closed in 2017 due to difficulty staying afloat being an all volunteer-run organization.

The Merced space also closed its doors in 2017, making centralized queer resources in the Central Valley fewer and farther between.

I am endlessly glad and thankful that there are so many LGBTQ+ organizations here in the Valley, but I think having a central location for different resources and services would help immensely, especially in our current socio-political climate.

It would provide a great safe space for people of all backgrounds and create a distinct sense of unified community.