Social Events Revitalize B’More Clubhouse

by Raymond Nichols

After taking a hiatus during the pandemic, we finally brought back our social events starting in July.  First, was a celebration dinner! We dressed up to the nines, danced our hearts out, ate pizza to our heart’s content and Morgan did a toast as well. It was so fantastic to even have social events again with our Clubhouse family. We had a ton of fun. There was a feeling of warmth and positive energy all around. To be able to take part in the festivities filled me with a lot of happiness and joy.

We have organized a variety of social events through the years. Some of the best ones that I recall were an Ice Cream social in the Inner Harbor, a trip to the National Aquarium, a game night at the Bun Shop, arts and crafts night not to be outdone by our epic celebrations’ dinners.

During the pandemic, we would go for a weekly picnic in Federal Hill once a week. It was a safe and socially-distant way to socialize during stressful and uncertain times. 

Personally, I am looking forward to a few social events coming up in the next few weeks. The first one is a bingo night with prizes.  Additionally, in August, we will be having a Watermelon Party while watching a summer themed movie. I think it’s going to be a lot of fun. 

In the future, a social event I would like to be a part of is duckpin bowling. That would be exciting and fun to do with the group!

Social events are an integral part of B’More Clubhouse. They provide members and staff with an opportunity to interact and add some fun into their lives. At the Clubhouse, we are busy during the day with a lot of tasks and projects. Having a designated time during the evening at least once a week is a good way to slow down, relax, and enjoy each other's company outside the workday.

Sharing Stories for Pride Month

We celebrate June as Pride Month. The month is used to recognize the experiences of LGBTQ+ folks in the community and also support them in expressing their pride. 

To end Pride month, we wanted to share stories of members who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. We raise our flag up high and get members to be open about who they are.

Leroy

Personal pronoun: he/him

“I came out at the age of 13. I was bullied because of my sexual preference and have been called names. It was really difficult at first and it affected my self esteem. Fortunately I have had a really good group of female friends who have supported me. Pride to me means happiness and excitement about who I am. It can be difficult, but you gotta learn how to be confident and strong and be mindful of other people’s opinions. You have to let other people live their own truth. When people don’t accept me, I just turn the other cheek. I like the way I live my life. Pride to me is all about self respect so I try to accept myself as I am and let myself be myself. It's been quite a journey but I love it. With compassion, understanding and open mindedness; we can make the Clubhouse more welcoming to our LGBTQ members and staff.”

Leo

Personal pronouns: he/them

“I wish to tell everyone two stories about a story they already likely know. If you ever read the Hans Christian Anderson version of The Little Mermaid, you may remember that she gets her wish to become human, but at the great cost of losing her voice, and having pain when she walks. She does not get her love, and depending on which version you read, she either just dies, or is taken to a good afterlife. 

A lot of people don't know Hans Christian Anderson was writing about his experience losing a lover, who was another man.
 

If you ever saw the Disney version of the 90s by Howard Ashman, you will see that he gave us a brighter end to the story: she now has a name, and Ariel was able to keep her legs, live on land, and be with her love, with the approval of her father. 

I cherish all versions, as both left their legacy on the tale. But, the Ashman version means so much to me because it has a lot of appeal to children who grow up to be estranged from their parents, and a lot of queer children become estranged. I don't wish to talk too deeply about my own experiences with it here, but I'd like to think it gave me hope, regardless of where my own parents felt at any given time.(Also, I got in trouble for taking my mom's forks and combing my hair with it).

But, if both of them taught me anything, it's this: it's not about getting the prince, it's about living true to yourself.”

Diane

Personal pronoun: she/her

“Pride means freedom. It took a long time for people in the LGBTQ+ community to have freedom. It’s taken 50-something years to get to where we are today, and it’s still not perfect. It all started with Stonewall 50 something years ago. The riots at Stonewall were started by trans women like myself. My first Pride parade was many years ago in Druid Hill Park and it was a really, really good experience. It’s too bad we didn’t get to have the usual celebration this year or last year. I still celebrated this month. I’m hopeful we will have Pride again next year.

Sharon

Personal pronoun: she/her

 “I am in my 40s. I consider myself to be gay/bisexual. I have known it since I was 5. When I was 27, I began dating both genders. I have had a few struggles. One particular church I went to for 8-9 years does not accept gays. They said they would “pray my gay away” I am one of the founding members of Dykes in the City (DITC). I think every person is beautiful, a child of god and a valuable part of the society. Everybody is welcome at the Clubhouse. Your ethnicity, sexuality, gender does not matter. As members, we have a right of being treated respectfully and we also owe the same responsibility, no matter what our opinion is.”

Kiona

Personal pronoun: she/her

I think B’More Clubhouses is one of the most inclusive places. When I saw everyone wearing pride masks, it made me really happy. I don’t identify with any sexual orientation and feel more like myself that way. Pride to me means living for yourself and your own joy and not fitting into a structure or normative. It is about living within your own boundaries.

Because of the inclusive community that the Clubhouse is, I am grateful to have received so much support. I grew up as a single child in a big family. In my 20s, I had a mental breakdown and had to relearn to live independently again. I moved to various places in order to do that. I go through different places in terms of my functioning and the support I need. At the Clubhouse, I feel like everyone meets me where I am at. The support from staff members, especially Phil has been immensely helpful with my goals. 

Thank you to all who shared their stories. As a Clubhouse, our intention is to support our members in their journey and respect them for who they are. We hope our flag gives everyone the conviction that we stand for our LGBTQ+ friends and makes everyone feel good.