A place to shop, to meet and gather, but above all, a safe space.
This is what the soon-to-be-opened GV Pride Hub will be about.
And it’s set to officially open its doors starting this weekend at the Shepparton City Summer Market.
Located in the tucked-away Telstra Tower Arcade, the space provides the perfect meeting space for Goulburn Valley’s queer community.
GV Pride president Deb Chumbley said with GV Pride coming up to 20 years next June, the hub has been a long time coming.
“It very much came from the community like a request for a permanent home or a visual presence and a safe space where we could hold meetings or activities or have it as a meeting point,” Deb said.
“There’s also a bit of a demand for a space where volunteers can come and interact with the community.
“There’s a vision for it to become a space for a book swap, a place people will come and get tea and coffee or buy some pre-loved clothing, and also our merchandise store, which at the moment is an online store.”
The creation of this space comes during a time that Deb said is a space that is much needed for the LGBTIQA+ community.
“We know it is needed, like unfortunately, there are still issues of homophobia and transphobia,” Deb said.
“There’s places where people aren’t safe and the more we can have a bit of visibility the more we can provide a safe space, the better that is for the wellness of our community.”
GV Pride has had the space for a few months now and has slowly been getting it ready for this weekend’s opening, which is set to transform into a GV Pride merchandise store.
There’ll be a range of pride merchandise, pre-loved clothing, and second-hand items up for sale, and visitors can drop in for tea or coffee.
The store will be run by GV Pride volunteers, which is something Deb said will start becoming more regular.
“There’ll be staff there regularly, and it will be open certain hours and certain days, and it’ll give people an opportunity when they’re down the street to come in and have a cup of tea,” Deb said.
“The space will also be opened for any LGBTIQA+ events by bookings as we also have a plan to be able to lease the space out.
“So we’re hoping that people really utilise the space.”
The GV Pride Hub will be open this weekend on Friday and Saturday, February 23 and 24, from 10.30am to 3.30pm at the Telstra Tower Arcade at 4/224 Maude St.
To make any bookings for the hub, contact them on 0493 442 601.