ABOUT THE GLO CENTER
The GLO Center Today
The GLO Center Serves the LGBTQIA+ community in the Ozarks through support, resources, education, and advocacy, to create a more inclusive and welcoming community where all can thrive. With the help of our allies, GLO strives to make a positive impact on the community at large.
The GLO Center is a place to be yourself, a place to meet others in the community, and a place to find information about the community at large. In essence, the GLO Center is YOUR place for LGBTQIA+ community in the Springfield and the Ozarks region in Missouri.
Become a member today to help sustain Missouri's longest-running LGBTQIA+ community center!
History of The GLO Center
A group of local leaders recognized a need to establish a safe place for the entire LGBTQIA+ community to meet, receive support, and share resources; together they founded GLO in 1996. GLO is now the oldest operating LGBTQIA+ center in Missouri and is the only LGBTQIA+ center in southwest Missouri. GLO is staffed by volunteers and is open weekly to offer support groups, events, and a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ population. The GLO Center is governed by a Board of Directors, whose 13 members are elected to three-year terms and may serve for three consecutive terms. Volunteers are organized into committees, where they can hone leadership skills and meld their passions with the mission of GLO.
Our Staff
Aaron Schekorra
Executive Director
aaron@glocenter.org
Aaron joined GLO as its first full-time Executive Director at the beginning of 2024. His time as an LGBTQ+ advocate led to serving on the board of PFLAG Springfield/SWMO for several years, including two years as president. Professionally, before accepting this role, Aaron served the community in several roles at the Springfield-Greene County Health Department and was the development director for FosterAdopt Connect. His goal is simple, to make southwest Missouri a better, safer place for all LGBTQ+ people. Aaron is also a small business owner, an award winning mead maker, and a foster parent.
aaron@glocenter.org
Aaron joined GLO as its first full-time Executive Director at the beginning of 2024. His time as an LGBTQ+ advocate led to serving on the board of PFLAG Springfield/SWMO for several years, including two years as president. Professionally, before accepting this role, Aaron served the community in several roles at the Springfield-Greene County Health Department and was the development director for FosterAdopt Connect. His goal is simple, to make southwest Missouri a better, safer place for all LGBTQ+ people. Aaron is also a small business owner, an award winning mead maker, and a foster parent.
Aaron Schekorra
Executive Director | he/him
Collins Chetwin
Program Coordinator
collins@glocenter.org
Collins, who has been a dedicated volunteer at GLO since 2015, began working with the organization's youth group that same year and transitioned into a full-time position in 2024. In their career as a queer rights advocate they have worked on campaigns, testified in hearings at the capitol, served on local boards, and organized projects and events, including GLO’s first Queer Artist Showcase. GLO matters to Collins because it provides them with a sense of belonging and opportunities to build community. When they’re not at GLO, Collins invests in queer joy by playing Dungeons and Dragons and by playing ukulele in their trans folk band.
collins@glocenter.org
Collins, who has been a dedicated volunteer at GLO since 2015, began working with the organization's youth group that same year and transitioned into a full-time position in 2024. In their career as a queer rights advocate they have worked on campaigns, testified in hearings at the capitol, served on local boards, and organized projects and events, including GLO’s first Queer Artist Showcase. GLO matters to Collins because it provides them with a sense of belonging and opportunities to build community. When they’re not at GLO, Collins invests in queer joy by playing Dungeons and Dragons and by playing ukulele in their trans folk band.
Collins Chetwin
Program Coordinator | they/them
Emilia Stauffer
Community Services Specialist
emilia@glocenter.org
Emilia moved to Springfield in 2017 to pursue a degree in music, but after graduation, she realized that Springfield had become her home. Over the years, Emilia has dedicated herself to serving the community through various roles, including volunteer coach, family advocate, graduate assistant counselor, and patient navigator. Her work has impacted not only Springfield but the entire Southwest Missouri area and beyond. In May 2024, Emilia graduated from Missouri State University with a Master of Social Work degree. Her academic background, combined with her practical experience, makes her an invaluable asset to The GLO Center as we continue to address the critical needs of the LGBTQIA+ community.
emilia@glocenter.org
Emilia moved to Springfield in 2017 to pursue a degree in music, but after graduation, she realized that Springfield had become her home. Over the years, Emilia has dedicated herself to serving the community through various roles, including volunteer coach, family advocate, graduate assistant counselor, and patient navigator. Her work has impacted not only Springfield but the entire Southwest Missouri area and beyond. In May 2024, Emilia graduated from Missouri State University with a Master of Social Work degree. Her academic background, combined with her practical experience, makes her an invaluable asset to The GLO Center as we continue to address the critical needs of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Emilia Stauffer
Community Services Specialist | she/her
Matt Brown
Operations Coordinator
After graduating from Missouri State University with a BFA in Graphic Design, Matt found community in The GLO Center through their monthly markets. During his summer internship with GLO in 2024, he helped manage the GLO Markets and did design work to promote the center. As a small business owner, Matt wants to use his skills to support fellow creators and contribute to the welcoming environment GLO has given him. Outside of work he enjoys cooking, queer-centric media, and going to local hardcore shows.
After graduating from Missouri State University with a BFA in Graphic Design, Matt found community in The GLO Center through their monthly markets. During his summer internship with GLO in 2024, he helped manage the GLO Markets and did design work to promote the center. As a small business owner, Matt wants to use his skills to support fellow creators and contribute to the welcoming environment GLO has given him. Outside of work he enjoys cooking, queer-centric media, and going to local hardcore shows.
Matt Brown
Operations Coordinator | he/him
Our Board
Megan Baldridge
Ozarks Pridefest Chair
president@glocenter.org
GLO is extremely important to Megan because it provides essential resources for the LGBTQIA+ population, specifically locally. Safety is crucial; she has learned through her own past career as a teacher that it is incredibly difficult for people to grow and flourish without safe spaces to do so. Megan knows GLO provides that safe space for many. A fun fact about Megan is she has never lost at 90’s music trivia or Pac-Man. (Bring it on )
president@glocenter.org
GLO is extremely important to Megan because it provides essential resources for the LGBTQIA+ population, specifically locally. Safety is crucial; she has learned through her own past career as a teacher that it is incredibly difficult for people to grow and flourish without safe spaces to do so. Megan knows GLO provides that safe space for many. A fun fact about Megan is she has never lost at 90’s music trivia or Pac-Man. (Bring it on )
Megan Baldridge
President | she/her
Caitlin Davies
Programming Chair
caitlin@glocenter.org
Caitlin was born in England but grew up in the southernmost part of New Zealand. In 2015 she moved to Long Island, New York to complete their PhD in Political Science. In 2020 she moved to Springfield to be a Professor at Missouri State University. She is the current Vice-President of the MSU Faculty and Staff LGBTQIA+ group. She enjoys combining their passions for sports and travel by attending various events including the recent FIFA Women's World Cup in New Zealand and the Netball World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa where she got to meet one of her LGBTQIA+ hero's Caster Semenya.
caitlin@glocenter.org
Caitlin was born in England but grew up in the southernmost part of New Zealand. In 2015 she moved to Long Island, New York to complete their PhD in Political Science. In 2020 she moved to Springfield to be a Professor at Missouri State University. She is the current Vice-President of the MSU Faculty and Staff LGBTQIA+ group. She enjoys combining their passions for sports and travel by attending various events including the recent FIFA Women's World Cup in New Zealand and the Netball World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa where she got to meet one of her LGBTQIA+ hero's Caster Semenya.
Caitlin Davies
Vice President
Linda Leicht
Treasurer
treasurer@glocenter.org
Linda Leicht is a retired journalist who covered the GLO Center several times while working at the Springfield News-Leader. During her years as a journalist, Linda interviewed many famous people, from Jerry Falwell to Bill Maher, but her favorite encounters had nothing to do with the news. She personally met Elvis in 1972 (then turned down an offer to ride in his plane) and Del Shannon in 1961. She also worked with START and EMBRACE to help put on Trans Day of Visibility and Trans Day of Remembrance in honor of her granddaughter, Amanda, a beautiful young trans woman.
treasurer@glocenter.org
Linda Leicht is a retired journalist who covered the GLO Center several times while working at the Springfield News-Leader. During her years as a journalist, Linda interviewed many famous people, from Jerry Falwell to Bill Maher, but her favorite encounters had nothing to do with the news. She personally met Elvis in 1972 (then turned down an offer to ride in his plane) and Del Shannon in 1961. She also worked with START and EMBRACE to help put on Trans Day of Visibility and Trans Day of Remembrance in honor of her granddaughter, Amanda, a beautiful young trans woman.
Linda Leicht
Secretary | she/her
Carolyn Esparza
Growing up queer and Hispanic in rural Missouri taught Carolyn the power of diversity and representation. Now an accountant for a local environmental agency, her social nature and passion for fashion and music keep her creatively engaged. Carolyn brings experience from volunteering on GLO's Pride Committee and its annual runway fundraiser to her role on the Board of Directors. She’s committed to fostering an inclusive environment, encouraging others to share their unique perspectives and experiences to strengthen the organization.
Carolyn Esparza
Treasurer | she/her
Courtney Cook
Courtney is a biracial Black gay woman who grew up in a community that was not accepting of these things. Racism and homophobia have impacted her firsthand and those she loves the most. She wants to live in a world where folks can go to work, go to the grocery store, just be in their community and feel safe being their authentic self. There’s a lot of work to do to continue to cultivate that safety and she wants to do her part in pushing the needle in our community. A fun fact about her is that she can find Jesus in 7 clicks on Wikipedia with any word you give her! “Challenge me, I dare you!” She also loves card games, cooking, and cocktails.
Courtney Cook
Member | she/her
Jeremy Dean
Jeremy was born and raised in Springfield and loves to call this city my home. He is engaged to his wonderful fiance, Zion, and they have two beautiful dogs, Bentley (Goldendoodle) and Josie (Catahoula). Jeremy works in Operations for a local non-profit that aims to engage, support, and transform our community so we can all thrive. His personal mission is to make the Ozarks a place that everyone can call "home", and that's why supporting the GLO Center in every way possible is important to him.
Jeremy Dean
Member | he/him
Holland Wilson
Holland Wilson
Member | they/them
Jodey Fulcher
Jodey is originally from the Atlanta area. He moved to Missouri in 2016 and to Springfield in 2023.
“I have always been my authentic self, even when it was not appreciated, because I only knew how to be me. I have never been afraid to face adversity head-on; for myself, friends, family, and my community. As we continue to stand for our rights, I am proud to be on the front line as a GLO Board Member & a representative for all of my LGBTQIA+ and QTBIPOC community.”
Jodey enjoys playing pickleball, bowling, and shooting pool.
Jodey Fulcher
Member | he/him
Rebecca Damron
Rebecca found community at the GLO Center during the pandemic and has been involved with the center ever since. After growing up queer in a disapproving home, being a part of the queer community in Springfield is so supportive and comforting. Their main goal as a board member is to make a safe space for those who haven’t had one before. Outside of the GLO Center, they have two awesome dogs, Sophie and Calcifer.
Rebecca Damron
Member | she/they
Theo Bennett
In the summer of '23, Theo moved to Springfield, Missouri to live with his partner after graduating from WWU with a BA in English. He was born in Colorado, grew up in Maine, and moved to Washington when he was 15. Needless to say, he was no stranger to starting fresh and planting new roots! As a proud neurodivergent transman, he immediately sought ways to get involved in his community. He began as an intern for GLO during the same summer he moved, has continued to volunteer as a facilitator for the youth, and is now thrilled to be joining the board to continue the work. In his spare time he loves to write, draw, play video games, and dote on his black cat named Jiji (yes, like Kiki's Delivery Service)!
Shop local makers & non-profits, grab amazing eats and catch live performances all day long! 