Several Salem groups are coming together to raise money to open the city’s first LGBTQ+ center that would provide a hub for the city’s queer community to gather and find support. The initiative is being led by Rainbow Youth, a Salem nonprofit group that supports LGBTQ+ youth. They are joined by Salem Capital Pride, Parents and Families of Lesbians and Gays, Black Joy Oregon, Radness Ensues, Mid-Willamette Queer Collective and Crafty Cayotes which are are helping to raise money and awareness. Rainbow Youth will host the first-ever fundraising event Saturday, Dec. 13, at Salem’s Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 5090 Center St. N.E. from 7 – 9 p.m. Organizers hope it will kick off sustained donations of $5,000 per month to support the center’s operating costs.  The Salem group has been around for 30 years, supporting queer youth 19 and under with regular programs, classes and events. They’re a primarily volunteer-run organization with one staff member, The idea for a brick-and-mortar queer center has been around for years, said Dani Davalos, vice president of Rainbow Youth. The nonprofit began putting the idea into action about two years ago. The reason, Davalos said, is simple: “Salem needs one.” While Portland has the Q Center to house queer community groups, mental health services and regular events, Salem lacks a public-facing LGBTQ+ hub.  Salem Capital Pride, which hosts the annual Pride in the Park, has regular gatherings out of Radness Ensues in Keizer, Stormie’s Place, the Salem Public Library or local churches and cafes. Other groups, including Rainbow Youth, rely on similar places. “Things have gotten really difficult for the LGBTQ community. We’re looking to see if we can have a third space – It’s really hard to find a place where you don’t have to pay for coffee or pay to reserve the space,” Davalos said. Some of the venues currently used by queer groups are expensive to reserve or inconveniently located, Davalos said. A central building could give LGBTQ+ people of all ages a consistent place to gather without cost and access services under one roof. “Salem’s LGBTQ community is completely disjointed. It’s so hard for us to reach into pockets of the community,” Davalos said. Davalos envisions a center with regular classes, support groups, mental health services and community events. It would be shared by other local queer groups, with Rainbow Youth overseeing operations. Organizers are looking for a building of at least 4,000 square feet located along a bus line, with around three offices and room for a central meeting area that can hold around 100 people. Ideally, Davalos said, the property could accommodate two large meeting areas, a regular cafe and five or six office spaces.  They plan to hire two full time center staff, including a program coordinator and building manager. A base of around a dozen volunteers would help support programming and daily operations. Special services, like mental health counseling would be supported by outside professionals leasing a space in the center. Davalos said the group has already begun to scout out potential locations in downtown Salem. They hope to buy a building, rather than lease, and expect to pay about $1-$2 million total for a property.  Davalos said they will need at least $300,000 in donations for a down payment on a property, though they hope to have $750,000 to cover a down payment and overhead costs for about five years.  Fundraising will continue through 2026, with plans set to identify a suitable property by the end of that year. Organizers have not settled on a name for the center, but at Saturday’s fundraiser, attendees can write in their suggestions through a survey. The fundraiser will have live performances from a local LGBTQ+ choir, a drag performer and a cellist. It will also include panelists from Salem Capital Pride, PFLAG, Mid Willamette Queer Collective, Black Joy and other involved groups. The event is family friendly and free to attend. People can RSVP here, though it is optional. Donations can be made here.  Have a news tip? Contact reporter Hailey Cook: [email protected] . A MOMENT MORE, PLEASE – If you found this story useful, consider subscribing to Salem Reporter if you don’t already. Work such as this, done by local professionals, depends on community support from subscribers. Please take a moment and sign up now – easy and secure: SUBSCRIBE. The post Plans in motion to found Salem’s first LGBTQ+ center appeared first on Salem Reporter. ...read more read less