A Safe Space to Belong: Inside McClendon Center’s New Pride Group

At McClendon Center, a sense of belonging is woven into everything we do. That spirit is alive and thriving in our newly formed Pride group—a safe and welcoming space where clients can ask questions, share stories, and engage in meaningful dialogue without fear of judgment.

In just four weeks, this group of eight members has built something powerful: a circle rooted in inclusion, openness, and shared humanity. During a recent session, LaToya proudly presented a flag she carried in the World Pride Parade. Robin sparked conversation with a smile, saying, “Just the word gay means happy—so how can you be mad at that?”

With the guidance of two skilled facilitators, the group focuses on fostering understanding. Members are reminded of their collective purpose: to create a space where learning happens through respectful discussion and vulnerability. As one facilitator put it, “When you go left, we’ll guide you back—to help reframe those thoughts.”

When clients shared stereotypical beliefs, the facilitators responded with gentle curiosity, encouraging reflection with questions like, “What else could be true?” One discussion challenged the notion that romantic relationships must only exist between a man and a woman. The group embraced statements like “Love is love,” “Sexuality and gender are different,” and “Giving compliments isn’t inherently feminine—you’re not less of a man for complimenting another man.”

A woman in her 60s shared how she had long known her sister was gay, even though her sister had married and raised children. She joined the group to better understand others’ experiences and later revealed that she herself had once questioned her own sexuality. Her story illustrated the courage it takes to explore and accept one’s identity at any stage of life.

True to McClendon Center’s mission, the group also addressed mental health—particularly within the LGBTQIA+ community. Members discussed how transgender individuals face the highest suicide rates, compounded by the societal message that their identities are invalid or “wrong.” As one member reflected, “It’s like the world is saying you don’t exist.”

The topic of workplace pride and DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) sparked additional conversation. Some members voiced concern over reports of bans on DEI-related hiring practices. While some advocated for merit-based systems, others emphasized that marginalized communities still need protection from systemic discrimination.

The session closed with reflections on how sexuality—whether one’s own or that of a loved one—shapes how we navigate the world. One client shared, “I don’t wear it on my sleeve. I don’t walk around saying I’m gay. When I’m on a personal level with someone, then I’ll share.”

For this predominantly Black group, members also discussed how stigma surrounding sexuality persists in the Black community. Still, the overarching message was one of strength and self-assurance: what matters most is being confident in who you are.