PCSO Pride Center Goes (Mostly) Virtual in Response to Coronavirus
The PCSO joins with our community in taking the Coronavirus (COVID-19) very seriously. We are doing our best to balance the needs of the LGBQ+ community (social and emotional support, connection, and resources like food) with the realities of preventing the transmission of COVID-19/Coronavirus that is an increased threat to many of the people we serve. Please see the following link for more about what LGBTQ people need to know about the coronavirus. https://cancer-network.org/coronavirus-2019-what-lgbtq-people-need-to-know/.
In the interest of keeping our community, volunteers, and staff safe, the PCSO Pride Center will be changing our operating procedures for the coming weeks. Starting on 03/14/2020, the PCSO Pride Center will be closed to the public for drop-in visits. You can still reach us during our regular operating hours, Tuesday through Friday from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm and Saturday from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. If you need help finding resources, have questions about what’s happening in the community, or if you just need to talk to someone you can call us at 859-253-3233, email us at officemanager@pcsoky.org, or message us on Facebook. If we’re not immediately available we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
We will continue to run our food pantry during this time. Food boxes will be available on Wednesdays. People who would like to pick up a food box, should call or email with a request. Food will be pre-packed and delivered by staff and volunteers to the door or car. We will be requiring all volunteers that work with the food to sanitize their hands before handling food and after each delivery.
We are also canceling or postponing some groups and events. These include:
- LoveABLE Meetings, scheduled for Wednesdays at 5:30 - Canceled through April 7th
- GSA Meetings, scheduled for Tuesdays at 6:30 - Canceled until April 7th
- March SIP Dinner, scheduled for March 20th at 7:00 pm - Canceled
- All About Isms Workshop, scheduled for March 21 at 4:00 pm - Postponed (new date TBD)
- Transportation to Trans Wellness Summit, scheduled for March 28th - Summit has been postponed (new date TBD)
- April TransKentucky Meeting, scheduled for April 4 at 7:30 pm - Canceled
At this time other smaller, weekly group meetings including LoveABLE, Heart to Heart, and SciFi and Horror Group will continue as usual. The PCSO Book Club will be meeting virtually this month. For more information join the Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2508444702758299/.
We anticipate reopening the Center on April 7th. However, because the situation with the coronavirus is rapidly changing this date may also change. The schedule for ongoing group meetings may also change. We will update information on social media and our webpage as changes occur.
The PCSO has supported the LGBTQ+ community in Central and Eastern Kentucky for over 40 years. We know the changes necessary to respond to the coronavirus can be anxiety producing and are interrupting regular routines and schedules. Rest assured, we will be here to serve the community through this challenge. Please reach out to us if you need help during this difficult time or if you are feeling isolated and just need to talk. You can call us at 859-253-3233 or email us at officemanager@pcsoky.org and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
Take good care of yourselves. Wash your hands. Check on your friends and neighbors. Breathe. Reach out if you need help. We are sending you all so much love. We will get through this together!
