- We are not currently cancelling events and meetings at the GLO Center, but please check this page for updates.
HOWEVER:
- If you are showing symptoms or have been exposed to those with symptoms, please stay at home when you can, including staying home from the GLO Center.
- If you are at higher risk, or are in close contact with someone at a higher risk, please be mindful and limit your exposure as much as possible, including staying home from events at the GLO center. We also encourage everyone with the same advice offered elsewhere:
- Stay informed with trusted resources, such as the CDC: https://cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
- Wash your hands thoroughly and often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If hand sanitizer is your only option please use sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Cough or sneeze into a tissue that you can throw away.
- Avoid shaking hands or hugging.
- Avoid touching your face (eyes, mouth, and nose) as much as possible.
Finally, please remember that the GLO Center is cared for entirely by volunteers. If you want to help out with extra cleaning and disinfecting at this time, please let us know.
Additionally, if your group meets at the center, please take extra care to keep it clean.
Thank you,
The GLO Board
To the GLO Community:
At the beginning of March, the GLO Center entered a period of transition in which a new, interim Board of Directors was elected and the members of the previous board were asked to resign. We acknowledge that this time of change has produced a range of emotions within the community, but we believe that these changes are critical in order for GLO to be a safe and inclusive place for everyone in the GLO Community.
A few months ago, a Board member (who has since resigned) made a social media post that was racially insensitive and caused members of the Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (QTBIPOC) community to feel unsafe at GLO. The previous board failed to adequately and appropriately address this issue. This incident was just one instance in a pattern of behavior exhibited by the previous board that created a toxic environment for QTBIPOC at the Center and in the GLO Community.
At The GLO Center’s Annual Meeting, the QTBIPOC community presented a list of demands that included:
* The resignation of all Board members and the election of an Interim Board of directors
* That the members of the previous Board engage with anti-racist educational materials and participate anti-racism training
* Previous Board members demonstrate growth before returning to work with GLO
At the annual meeting, voting members of GLO elected Katya Ketchum, Aryne Say, Azul Ponce, Carrie Colpitts, Ally Henny, Nigel Lee, Kyler Sherman-Wilkins, and Kit Neumann as the Interim Board.
The Interim Board will be working for the next 6 months to help shape GLO into an anti-racist organization that is safe for every member of our community.
As of March 9, 2020, all of the previous board members submitted their resignations in order to support the QTBIPOC community to make space for the Interim Board to begin make GLO a safe and inclusive space for all.
The Interim Board would like to thank all previous Board members for their hard work and dedication to the mission of GLO. Their years of passionate service has saved many lives. We also thank the previous Board for their courage and the trust they have placed in this process.
On March 9, 2020. The Interim Board proposed the creation of a Special Committee to address the concerns of the QTBIPOC community and to begin building a structure for accountability regarding gender, sexuality, race, disability, citizenship status, age, and all other vulnerable identities so that GLO can become a safe and welcoming space for all people. We will be working with the community to better understand everyone’s needs and desires so that we may find the best ways to serve and include everyone.
Finally, and most importantly, we would like to thank you—the GLO Community—for your patience and support during this time.
Sincerely,
The GLO Interim Board
Katya Ketchum: President
Aryne Say: Vice President
Carrie Colpitts: Secretary
Kit Neumann: Treasurer
Ally Henny: Parliamentarian
Azul Ponce: Board Member
Nigel Lee: Board Member
Kyler Sherman-Wilkins: Board Member
Southwest Missouri LGBTQ Needs Assessment
All local LGBTQ+ individuals are invited to participate in the Southwest Missouri LGBTQ Needs Assessment being sponsored by AIDS Project of the Ozarks. Your voice is needed in order to identify the greatest needs in terms of healthcare, safety and gather suggestions on how to make our city a better, safer place for all. Let us know what you think!
