Norfolk’s Queer History LGBT history isn’t a topic that gets much conversation, let alone bylines in local media or a chapter in your social studies class. Knowing our queer history, if we do at all, is usually something that’s only passed on verbally by each queer generation. The unfortunate truth is that most LGBTQ history…
Center News
Mingo’s Story: Condoms for Peace-of-Mind
My name is Mingo! I’m 33-years old and I was born and raised in Norfolk, VA. When you hear “Willie Mingo”, you hear a person that is kind, always smiling, very humble, outgoing, down to earth, and a person that always smells good! I’m a very outgoing person. I treat people how I would like…
Join The ‘My Family’ Project
Calling all families! Whether you’re gay, straight, pansexual, poly, a drag family–we’d love to hear from you. We’re looking for families who are willing to be photographed for our ‘My Family’ project. Love Defines A Family Every day, members of the LGBTQ community challenge traditional definitions of what it means to be a family. With…
TIES Pop-Up: Norfolk Edition
TIES Pop-Up Comes to Norfolk Last fall we told you about TIES, the Transgender Information and Empowerment Summit, happening in Richmond. That event was a huge success (we sent 8 people from Hampton Roads!). It was so successful, in fact, that TIES is hitting the the road and doing pop-ups across the commonwealth. You can…
VA Governor Issues Pride Month Proclamation
Pride Month (June) may be over, but just last week the LGBT Life Center staff attended a Pride Reception at the Governor’s Executive Mansion where the Governor officially declared June Pride Month. Gestures like this can seem small, even in significant, but in today’s political climate it’s important our representatives continue to recognize Pride and…
LGBT Life Center Welcomes New Clinical Director of Mental Health Services
An Interview With Cory Gerwe, MSEd, LPC, NCC Hi Cory, welcome! What is your official job title?: I am the Clinical Director of Mental Health Services at LGBT Life Center. Tell us about your past experiences: So, I graduated from ODU with a Bachelor’s in psychology and a Master’s degree in mental health counseling. During my…
Body Positive Groups in HRVA
Go Ahead and Be YOU Standards of beauty, who!? At LGBT Life Center, there are simply no standards. We strive to uphold a safe space for self-expression–for people to come out (no pun intended) and exist authentically. Whether that means throwing on a pair of jeans, sporting that sassy face of make-up, mingling with new…
LGBT Life Center at Equality Virginia’s 15th Annual Commonwealth Dinner
This past Saturday, April 14, LGBT Life Center staff members joined over 1,000 other community members, government figures, leaders and advocates at Equality Virginia’s 15th Annual Commonwealth Dinner in Richmond. The dinner is a yearly black-tie celebration of Virginia’s vibrant LGBT community, bringing folks together for an evening of speakers, silent auctions and honoring OUTstanding Virginians….
Block Party With A Purpose
My Block Is Beautiful On April 6th, 2018 at the Safe Creative Community Space, TWP (Teens with a Purpose) in collaboration with ‘Keep Norfolk Beautiful’ hosted a block party for the community. This was no ordinary block party–along with the live music, dance, live art, wellness screenings and STEM Education, there was also a trash clean-up…
New Staff Intros: Jacqueline Morrison
As our agency has grown over the past months, so has our staff of wonderful, unique and hard-working individuals. We’re proud of our family and want to share some of their stories with you. #LGBTLifeTeamWelcomes Jacqueline Morrison! Name and a nickname if you have one that you like to go by: My name is Jacqueline but…