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The (Bi)weekly Kiki | Oct. 5
Meriden Pride Community Center
October is LGBTQ+ History Month! This month is a time to celebrate our community’s past, honor progress, and recommit to visibility and equality.
Did you know? In 1994, Rodney Wilson, a Missouri high school teacher, believed a month should be dedicated to the celebration and teaching of gay and lesbian history, and gathered other teachers and community leaders. They selected October because public schools are in session and existing traditions, such as Coming Out Day (October 11), occur that month.
Read more at LGBT History Month, and keep reading to learn more about the upcoming observances this month!
-The Meriden Pride Team
Table of Contents
This Moment in Queerstory 🪶
LGBTQ+ History Month
“Happy LGBT History Month”
Throughout the month, many important observances highlight the diversity of our LGBTQ+ community:
October 8 – International Lesbian Day: A day to celebrate lesbians, their culture, history, and contributions to the LGBTQ+ movement. Learn more: GoMag
October 11 – National Coming Out Day: Celebrating the courage it takes to live openly and affirming everyone’s right to be authentic. Learn more: Human Rights Campaign
October 15 – National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day: Raising awareness about HIV/AIDS in Latinx communities and promoting education and prevention. Learn more: NLAAD.org
October 16 – International Pronouns Day: A reminder that respecting pronouns is a vital way to honor identities and foster inclusion. Learn more: Pronouns.org
October 17 – Spirit Day: Millions wear purple to stand against bullying and show solidarity with LGBTQ+ youth. Learn more: GLAAD
October 20–26 – Asexual Awareness Week: Shining a light on the asexual spectrum community and the importance of visibility. Learn more: Ace Week
October 26 – Intersex Awareness Day: Advocating for intersex human rights and celebrating intersex lives. Learn more: Intersex Day
Together, these observances remind us that LGBTQ+ history is not just about the past — it’s also about shaping a more inclusive future.
October Events 🎭
Did you get your tickets for Pride Prom yet? You don’t want to miss this opportunity to wear a mysterious mask, get fancy, eat pizza and cake, drink spooky mocktails, and dance the night away! While this event is 21+, no alcohol or smoking is allowed on the premises. Please contact us at [email protected] to purchase tickets - space is limited! You will not be able to purchase tickets at the door.
Also, the Meriden Farmers Market is almost done for the season! Come see us on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon at the Meriden Green through October 18.
Wed. 10/15 Gayme Night. 5-8 p.m. @ Meriden Pride Community Center
Thu. 10/16, Hair Styling Help. 6:30-8 p.m. @ Meriden Pride Community Center
Sat. 10/18, Pride Prom. 5-8 p.m. @ Meriden Pride Community Center (upstairs in Church). $10/ticket; must be purchased in advance
Wed. 10/22, Craft Night. 5-8 p.m. @ Meriden Library
Sat. 10/25, Meriden Trunk-or-Treat. 12-2 p.m. @ Meriden Green
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)
Observances
(October) LGBTQ+ History Month
(8) International Lesbian Day
(11) National Coming Out Day
(13) Indigenous Peoples’ Day
(15) National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day & International Pronouns Day
(16) Spirit Day
(19) National LGBTQ+ Center Day
(19-25) Asexual Awareness Week
(26) Intersex Awareness 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:
Help doing laundry with Laundry Love on Tuesday, Oct. 7, from 9 a.m.-noon
Pride Prom on Saturday, October 18, from 5-8 p.m. (not including setup and teardown time)
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.