The GLO Center: A Local Queer Safe Haven

Writing & Photography by Sarah Harbaugh & Isabelle Stomboly

Being a member of the LGBTQIA+ community can come with the fear of not being accepted by family, peers, or your local community members. Luckily for us, Springfield has begun to tackle this problem by providing a safe place for anyone facing discrimination due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. The GLO Center, located on Commercial Street, has warm and welcoming members of your community who can be a shoulder to lean on, a helpful hand, and a resource center for anyone who may need support.

This nonprofit organization is Missouri's oldest LGBTQIA+ community center, founded in 1996 by local Springfield leaders who saw the need for a resource and community space. The center is run by volunteers, with only three full-time staff members. The center relies on community volunteers to put on events and support groups. A board of 13 community members are elected to govern the center. The GLO Center holds many events such as support groups for LGBTQIA+ youth, families, and QTBIPOC (queer, transgender, black, indigenous, and people of color). They also hold many other educational events such as legal name-changing workshops, art classes, sex education programs, banned book clubs, game nights, and shared meals. 

These events create a space for people to find community and learn valuable lessons about how to navigate the world as a queer person. The GLO Center is also committed to serving the unhoused population of Springfield and opens its doors as a cold weather shelter twice a week in the winter. Pop star Chappell Roan has shown her support to the GLO Center and donated thousands of dollars in profits from her recent Midwest Princess tour. 

This center is the only one of its kind in southwest Missouri and is a highly valuable place to so many queer youth and adults who may not have the support of the people around them. A secure environment is vital for the safety and mental and physical health of LGBTQIA+ members, allies, and POC. Every person should have the opportunity to live happily as their authentic self, with the aid of like-minded people who share a common goal. The GLO Center makes this possible for everyone in southwest Missouri and surrounding regions.