Holland LGBTQ Community Center Hosts Open House

Area LGBTQ residents and their allies can get a look at the new Out On The Lakeshore Community Center and mingle with professional comedienne Mimi Gonzalez at the same time from 5-7 p.m. on May 30.
The Community Center, 451 Columbia Ave., will provide a central, safe place for LGBTQ youth and adults to gather in Holland. The approximately 1,000 square-foot location is envisioned to be a space where LGBTQ people, their families and allies can find support, participate in programs, or simply be together in safe space.
Opening the Center has been a goal of OOTL since it formed in the fall of 2015 by leaders of Holland is Ready and Holland PRIDE, who wanted to unify program, fundraising, and supportive efforts toward LGBTQ inclusion and rights in the greater Holland area.
"Holland needs a physical presence that's central and visible – a means by which groups and individuals can come together for support and advocacy," said Jennifer Adams, an OOTL board member. "LGBTQ youth and adults need a safe space to which they can come. We need a community center to continue to raise awareness of LGBTQ issues and concerns."
Gonzalez, who will headline the 2nd annual "Go Girl Saugatuck" event June 2-4 at The Dunes Resort in Saugatuck (for details on that event go to http://www.gogirl.saugatuck.com), has made comedic appearances throughout the world, including entertaining U.S. armed forces in Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia, Kosovo, Korea, Japan and Guam. Her television appearances include LOGO's "One Night Stand Up," the "Today" show, Ellen and "Latino Laugh Festival."
Gonzalez is no stranger to the area. She was the headline act at the 2013 Holland PRIDE Festival and part of the proceeds from the "Go Girl" weekend will benefit the OOTL Community Center.