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
Duncan
Gardner
Intern
Duncan is a Springfield native, is transmasculine and nonbinary, and joined GLO's community of local artists in 2023 after graduating from MSU's Fine Art program. GLO's Queer Artist Showcase in 2023 was the first step that Duncan took into the local LGBTQIA+ community, and their goal is to become an active member of the community. Duncan is a community leader for polyamorous people and families in the Springfield area and offers information to anyone who is interested. Duncan and their boyfriend Kaylen have celebrated 10 years together with their two cats, Router and Tarabyte. They want to live in a place that doesn't inspire fear in queer folks and friends, and they want to work to create that world! Outside of GLO, Duncan enjoys spending time with friends, traveling, playing video games, reading comic books, and making props for cosplay.
Duncan is a Springfield native, is transmasculine and nonbinary, and joined GLO's community of local artists in 2023 after graduating from MSU's Fine Art program. GLO's Queer Artist Showcase in 2023 was the first step that Duncan took into the local LGBTQIA+ community, and their goal is to become an active member of the community. Duncan is a community leader for polyamorous people and families in the Springfield area and offers information to anyone who is interested. Duncan and their boyfriend Kaylen have celebrated 10 years together with their two cats, Router and Tarabyte. They want to live in a place that doesn't inspire fear in queer folks and friends, and they want to work to create that world! Outside of GLO, Duncan enjoys spending time with friends, traveling, playing video games, reading comic books, and making props for cosplay.
Duncan Gardner
Intern | they/them
Marley
Gibson
Intern
Marley has cultivated a background in coordination, culinary arts, and sustainability. She has facilitated cultural exchanges as a local coordinator for International Experience and supported sustainable practices as a chef and gardener at Springfield Community Gardens. In December, she will be graduating with an associate's degree in graphic design. She always hopes to use her powers for good! She spends most of her free time with her dogs or in the garden. She enjoys illustration, animation and video games as a way to unwind. Guided by the belief that 'we're stronger together,' she is dedicated to building a supportive network that celebrates and unites our community.
Marley has cultivated a background in coordination, culinary arts, and sustainability. She has facilitated cultural exchanges as a local coordinator for International Experience and supported sustainable practices as a chef and gardener at Springfield Community Gardens. In December, she will be graduating with an associate's degree in graphic design. She always hopes to use her powers for good! She spends most of her free time with her dogs or in the garden. She enjoys illustration, animation and video games as a way to unwind. Guided by the belief that 'we're stronger together,' she is dedicated to building a supportive network that celebrates and unites our community.
Marley Gibson
Intern | she/they
Sophia
Samala
Intern
Born and raised in Springfield, Sophia wants to connect to the Queer Community of the Ozarks. Entering her second year at Missouri State University, she is also an executive officer and member of Melaqueer on campus. As an avid dork, Sophia enjoys all things DND, theater, and anything video game related. Other hobbies include singing, playing with her dogs, and trying to learn how to play the guitar. Getting started at the GLO Center, she’s excited to work with a group of awesome people.
Born and raised in Springfield, Sophia wants to connect to the Queer Community of the Ozarks. Entering her second year at Missouri State University, she is also an executive officer and member of Melaqueer on campus. As an avid dork, Sophia enjoys all things DND, theater, and anything video game related. Other hobbies include singing, playing with her dogs, and trying to learn how to play the guitar. Getting started at the GLO Center, she’s excited to work with a group of awesome people.
Sophia Samala
Intern | she/her
Marina
Watkins
Intern
Marina is currently going to Ozarks Technical Community College majoring in Graphic Design Technology. She has a Bachelor’s in Business Administration with concentrations in Marketing, Management, and International Business from Mississippi State University. She enjoys photography, painting, digital illustration, writing, and volunteering. She also co-owns Moon Fall Graphic Design located here in Springfield,MO. What she is looking forward to most working with The GLO Center is the opportunity to grow and learn with others in the LGBTQIA community and help give back to the community in the process. This is something she is deeply passionate about since these resources were not available in Mississippi when she was growing up. She is grateful to be here to make any positive change or impact she can.
Marina is currently going to Ozarks Technical Community College majoring in Graphic Design Technology. She has a Bachelor’s in Business Administration with concentrations in Marketing, Management, and International Business from Mississippi State University. She enjoys photography, painting, digital illustration, writing, and volunteering. She also co-owns Moon Fall Graphic Design located here in Springfield,MO. What she is looking forward to most working with The GLO Center is the opportunity to grow and learn with others in the LGBTQIA community and help give back to the community in the process. This is something she is deeply passionate about since these resources were not available in Mississippi when she was growing up. She is grateful to be here to make any positive change or impact she can.
Marina Watkins
Intern | she/they
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
Dr. 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.
Dr. Caitlin Davies
Vice President | she/her
Dany
Lacio
Ozarks Inclusion Project chair
secretary@glocenter.org
Dany is an Equality Organizer for PROMO Missouri, an organization fighting MO’s legislation. They are a dedicated advocate that continues to push himself & boundaries in the effort to create an environment where everyone feels like they belong & can thrive. Growing up Latinx, losing a parent to suicide, getting cancer & being trans, they have dealt with discrimination, hostility, & feeling unwelcome. Dany is an educator that oversees the Ozarks Inclusion Project & provides education workshops for those striving to make their places more inclusive of all lived identities. Dany enjoys crocheting, spending time with their wife & kids hiking, whitewater rafting, & even skydiving.
secretary@glocenter.org
Dany is an Equality Organizer for PROMO Missouri, an organization fighting MO’s legislation. They are a dedicated advocate that continues to push himself & boundaries in the effort to create an environment where everyone feels like they belong & can thrive. Growing up Latinx, losing a parent to suicide, getting cancer & being trans, they have dealt with discrimination, hostility, & feeling unwelcome. Dany is an educator that oversees the Ozarks Inclusion Project & provides education workshops for those striving to make their places more inclusive of all lived identities. Dany enjoys crocheting, spending time with their wife & kids hiking, whitewater rafting, & even skydiving.
Dany Lacio
Secretary | they/he
Brittany
Dyer
Treasurer
treasurer@glocenter.org
Brittany, originally from just outside Springfield, came out during a challenging battle with cancer in her early twenties when she met her wife. Previously a silent advocate, Brittany's journey fueled her determination, prompting her active involvement in GLO. Now in remission, she's blessed with a supportive partner & a wonderful son. Graduating from PROMO's Path to Power Cohort empowered her to advocate for SPS students & testify at Capitol. Brittany aspires to amplify visibility & support for Springfield's LGBTQ+ community. Passionate about travel & the outdoors, her family has explored the Olympic trail, conquered CO's Sand Dunes, & hiked the Appalachian trail in TN.
treasurer@glocenter.org
Brittany, originally from just outside Springfield, came out during a challenging battle with cancer in her early twenties when she met her wife. Previously a silent advocate, Brittany's journey fueled her determination, prompting her active involvement in GLO. Now in remission, she's blessed with a supportive partner & a wonderful son. Graduating from PROMO's Path to Power Cohort empowered her to advocate for SPS students & testify at Capitol. Brittany aspires to amplify visibility & support for Springfield's LGBTQ+ community. Passionate about travel & the outdoors, her family has explored the Olympic trail, conquered CO's Sand Dunes, & hiked the Appalachian trail in TN.
Brittany Dyer
Treasurer | she/her
Linda
Leicht
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
Member | she/her
Stephen
Bennett
Stephen, a gay man born during the tumultuous era of World War II, faced adversity not only from the war's impact but also his family's disapproval. Subjected to a decade of intense psychotherapy rooted in Freudian principles, he emerged resilient. He studied Eastern history & Philosophy at the University of Kansas & embarked on a transformative journey circling the globe on an old Dutch ship. Taught Shakespeare & Poetry in New South Wales & later worked as a Kangaroo hunter near the Darling River. Now he dedicates his time to breeding & selling rare dogs on an international scale & writing.
Stephen Bennett
Member | he/him
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
Madaline
Mudd
Madaline always has a passion for helping people and they are excited to channel that passion into the GLO Center! They first began their work with GLO back in February 2023 when they joined the Pride Planning Committee; after joining the Young Adult group, they found an environment that was so supportive and caring, that encouraged them to live as authentically as possible! They knew they wanted to give back to GLO and are excited to continue to move GLO forward. When not at GLO, they enjoy spending time with friends and family, playing with their 3 cats, and crocheting.
Madaline Mudd
Member | they/them
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.