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- The (Bi)weekly Kiki | Oct. 19
The (Bi)weekly Kiki | Oct. 19
Meriden Pride Community Center
We had so much fun hosting our first-ever Pride Prom! Some might say we really burned up the dance floor (ifykyk). Congrats to our Pride Prom Royalty: Ruby Rose, Ashley, Renee, and Emma!
In other news, to celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month, we have swapped our “Hall of Flags” tour for “A Walk Through LGBTQ+ History,” an exhibit honoring notable figures in our history. Stop by and take the self-guided tour; we learned a lot putting it together!
-The Meriden Pride Team
Table of Contents
This Moment in Queerstory 🪶
National LGBTQ+ Center Day
On National LGBTQ+ Center Day, we celebrate Meriden Pride and centers across the country for creating spaces where LGBTQ+ people can come together, find resources, and feel at home. There are only three centers in Connecticut: New Haven, Bridgeport, and Meriden. This is our story.
Meriden Pride was founded in 2023 by Branddon Arroyo and Melissa Gervais, who saw the need for safe and affirming spaces in the city.
As co-founder Julian Sims shared, “We started Meriden Pride as a group because we felt as though it was hard for us to find places for us to feel comfortable as ourselves. There are LGBTQ+ people here, and it matters to us that our voices are heard and we feel safe here.”
Early events made clear how vital community support was, and organizers quickly moved from grassroots gatherings to public advocacy.
“Instead of us dealing with these kinds of problems alone,” recalled organizer Branddon Arroyo, “we all now have a place where we can talk with each other and share these experiences and work through them.”
That vision became reality in August 2024, when Meriden Pride opened its own community center on Paddock Avenue.
At the grand opening, Arroyo reflected on the urgency and impact of their work: “Everything happened so fast because there was just such a need for what we’re doing in the community here in Meriden.”
Since its founding, the center has provided resources, support, and opportunities for connection across all ages and identities. It was built on the belief that visibility and community are essential for fostering resilience and pride. By centering LGBTQ+ voices, Meriden Pride works to ensure that everyone in the community has a place where they can feel seen, valued, and celebrated.
October Events 🎃
Wed. 10/22, Craft Night. 5-8 p.m. @ Meriden Library
Sat. 10/25, Meriden Trunk-or-Treat. 12-2 p.m. @ Meriden Green (*Meriden Pride Center will be closed*)
Observances
(October) LGBTQ+ History Month
(19) National LGBTQ+ Center Day
(19-25) Asexual Awareness Week
(26) Intersex Awareness Day
November Events 🦃
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)
Tue. 11/11, Safe Space Financial Education Office Hours & FAFSA Help. 5:30-8 p.m. @ Meriden Pride Center.
Thu. 11/13, Queer Sex Ed Trivia. 6-8 p.m. @ Meriden Pride Center
Wed. 11/19, Gayme Night. 5-8 p.m. @ Meriden Pride Center
Fri. 11/28, Queersgiving. 12-5 p.m. @ Meriden Pride Center. Sign up to bring a dish
Observances
(November) Trans Awareness Month
(2) Transgender Parent Day
(4) Election Day
(13-19) Transgender Awareness Week
(20) Transgender Day of Remembrance
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
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, 12-3 p.m.
Sundays, 1-4 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.