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The (Bi)weekly Kiki | April 5
Meriden Pride Community Center
THANK YOU to everyone who made it out for the St. Patrick’s Day parade and the Trans Day of Visibility demonstration! Your presence in these spaces serves as a powerful reminder that our community is here to stay in Meriden.
Visibility is more than just being seen; it is a proactive shield against erasure and a bridge to understanding. When we march in parades and show up at rallies, we provide a beacon of hope for those who may not yet feel safe coming out. In a time when LGBTQ+ rights and gender-affirming care are facing renewed challenges, your willingness to be visible ensures that our voices remain loud, our joy remains public, and our commitment to an inclusive community remains unshakable.
There will be more opportunities to march in parades and be visible this year, so stay tuned!
With visibility,
-The Meriden Pride Team
Table of Contents
This moment in Queerstory 🪶
Day of Silence
The Day of Silence is on Friday, April 10.
The Day of Silence is one of the largest student-led actions in the world. It is a day dedicated to spreading awareness about the effects of "silence" forced upon LGBTQ+ students through bullying, harassment, and erasure in the school system. By taking a vow of silence for the duration of the school or work day, we create a powerful visual and auditory vacuum that illustrates the lived experience of those who feel they cannot speak their truth or exist safely as their authentic selves.
The movement began in 1996 at the University of Virginia, founded by student Maria Pulzetti, who felt that the quiet struggles of the community needed a loud, symbolic platform. What started as a local class project quickly gained momentum, eventually becoming a national initiative organized by GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network). Today, thousands of middle schools, high schools, and colleges across the globe participate, transforming the silence from a sign of oppression into a proactive tool for social change and solidarity.
Get involved: To participate, the primary action is to remain silent throughout the day—often carrying a "speaking card" to explain the mission to those who ask. However, the day is about more than just staying quiet; it’s about what happens when the silence ends. The goal is to turn that collective quiet into a conversation that leads to safer, more affirming spaces for everyone.
April Events ☔
Gayme Night is a recurring event. Participate in the game of the month, or play other games!
Please check our Facebook pages to RSVP to events. If you’re not already a member, join the private group for Meriden Pride. (Main FB page | Private group)
4/8, Gayme Night: Tabletop RPGs! 5-8 p.m. @ Meriden Pride Center
4/15, Sex: A Community Conversation (18+ only). 6-8 p.m. @ Meriden Pride Center (snacks will be provided!)
4/29, Pride & Thrive Queer Mixer. 6:30-9 p.m. @ Grace’s Place and the Rino Stage
Observances
(6) International Asexuality Day
(10) National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day & Day of Silence
(18) National HIV Transgender Testing Day
(19) Nonbinary Parents Day
(20-26) Lesbian Visibility Week
(26) Lesbian Visibility Day
Volunteer Opportunities 🙌
Connect with the local LGBTQ+ community! We’d love to have your help at events. Please fill out a volunteer form if you would like to volunteer with us.
Right now, we need volunteers for:
Staffing the center with a committee member on Saturdays and Sundays
Staffing the Health Fair on May 16 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Email us at [email protected] if you have any questions. We are stronger together!
About the Community Center 🌈
The Meriden Pride Community Center offers a wide range of free resources and support services to empower and assist the community, including:
Sexual health supplies such as male and female condoms, dental dams, and lubrication
Free at-home COVID-19 test kits, Narcan overdose prevention kits, and blood glucose meters for health monitoring
Assistance with applications for heating and renters’ reimbursement programs
Personalized help connecting to broader city and state services
Borrowing books from our LGBTQ+ library
Complimentary internet and printing access
Committed to holistic support, the center strives to address immediate and long-term needs through its inclusive and accessible offerings.
Community Center Hours
Saturdays, 12-4 p.m.
Sundays, 12-4 p.m.
Donate to the Center 💝
Every donation fuels our mission to uplift the Greater Meriden LGBTQ+ community through free, accessible programming that celebrates identity, fosters belonging, and sparks joy. From inclusive workshops and peer support networks to vibrant Pride events and educational resources, we create safe spaces where LGBTQ+ individuals can thrive. Led entirely by volunteers, our work is powered by your generosity—ensuring queer voices are heard, stories are celebrated, and no one faces barriers to connection. Together, we’re building a world where everyone can live authentically, proudly, and without compromise.