Hello, my name is Kharys Wilson. I’m 15 years old and I am from Greenville, Texas and I’ve lived here my whole life, and I believe this city needs an LGBTQ+ community center.

An LGBTQ+ community center is a designated safe space specifically for people of the LGBTQ+ community. They’re places for people (usually kids between the ages of 12-18) to go to meet people who are also in the community, to feel welcomed, accepted and supported. They also serve as a place for people to go when they don’t necessarily have the best home life and aren’t feeling so safe in their home because of the fact that they are in the community. For some, the local LGBTQ+ community center is the one place where they feel like they can be themselves and not feel unsafe or threatened.

LGBTQ+ community centers are very important because, despite popular belief, school and/or home aren’t always the safest places for LGBTQ+ youth. Being in the LGBTQ+ community, because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identification, they have a higher risk of family rejection, physical, verbal, and mental abuse as well as bullying. Which puts them at greater risk of homelessness, sexual assault, depression and suicide.

Because I am not a part of the LGBTQ+ community (I'm an ally), I think it is important to use my privilege for good and not take it for granted. I'm hoping to reach at least 1000 signatures. It would be amazing if I could show Greenville city council that 1000 people care about this issue.

It would mean so much if we could actually make this happen not only to me but to so many kids in the LGBTQ+ community who feel like they don't belong or matter. PLEASE SHARE THIS PETITION!!