LGBTQ+ Club Creates a Safe Space for All

After several semesters of being non-operational, PVCC’s LGBTQ+ club has been taken over by President Kendra Ross, who intends to reinvent the club and leave a lasting impact on the PVCC community. A professor asked if Ross would consider leading the club, opening the door for Ross’s first time in a leadership role. Although Ross was unsure of what to expect, she looked forward to meeting other queer people in the community through the LGBTQ+ club. 

The mission of the LGBTQ+ club, according to the PVCC website, is to “foster a sense community between all PVCC students and to increase awareness of the lives and issues faced by people with diverse sexualities and gender identities.” In an interview with Ross, she re-emphasized that the sense of community provided by the club is what makes it special. 

Ross said, “I’ve asked some of the members why they’ve joined, and for the most part, everyone has the same answer, including me, which is just community – bringing people together, having a safe place for us, and to just hang out and meet other queer people.”

Ross, along with the other club members, has been planning something big that will hopefully take place next semester: a drag show. Next semester is Ross’s last semester at PVCC, and she wishes to leave a lasting impression through the production of this event. 

“I would like to see a combination of both students and professionals,” said Ross when asked who might be allowed to perform. “I have a big vision for it, and I am hoping that when people see it and they come to it, more people will be interested in joining the club.” 

In addition to planning out a fabulous drag show, Ross has been collaborating with the club Panther Power. The LGBTQ+ club is committed to cultivating a more equitable community at both PVCC and in the Charlottesville area. Homelessness in Charlottesville is one of many pressing issues that the LGBTQ+ club would like to help mitigate. According to Charlottesville’s 2023 Stepping Stones Report, “The number [of] people experiencing homelessness increased substantially from about 180 people in 2021 to 266 in 2022.” Ross’s idea is to put together a proposal for the city government to ask for financial support to create a more permanent shelter for the homeless population living in Charlottesville.

“The homeless situation, I feel like it’s gotten a lot worse in the past few years. Since COVID happened, there are just so many homeless people downtown,” said Ross.

With exciting new projects on the horizon, now is the time to join the LGBTQ+ club. To join, you can email Kendra Ross directly (kr24545@email.vccs.edu), or you can reach out to the club’s faculty advisers, Jessica Kingsley (jkingsley@pvcc.edu) and Renee Eves (reves@pvcc.edu). By joining the club, you will be put on the club’s email list and will receive updates as to when meetings will be held. 

Ross asked that it be emphasized that the LGBTQ+ club is for anyone to join, members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies alike. “The club is not just for the LGBTQ; we welcome everyone,” said Ross.