A new community hub is offering a safe space for those in Chatham-Kent’s 2SLGBTQIA+ (Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and/or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual) community.
Marianne Willson, President of CK Pride says Bill’s Place was founded thanks to a generous donation from the late Bill Brokenshire, who grew up in Chatham and wanted the next generation of young, gay residents to have a place they could call home.
“He wanted to leave a gift in this community where he was born and raised and faced so much homophobia, he wanted to improve that and make a difference,” Willson says. “This is a community centre, for not only the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, plus our families, our friends, and our allies, and all the community partners that help support us.”
Nathan Dawthorne, vice president of CK Pride, says it’s the type of place he wishes he had access to as a young, gay man growing up in Lambton County.
“I left Lambton County, went to London for 20 years and I experienced more homophobia and I didn’t find a sense of family there. I came to Chatham-Kent and CK Gay Pride Association, Marianne, and everybody else here at Bill’s Place…this is my home, this is my family. That’s what it means for me.”
Bill’s Place, located at 48 Centre Street in Chatham, offers a number of programs and services, including youth drop-ins, gender ID and name change clinics, gender affirming clothing program, and support groups and advocacy programs.
The building also includes two rental apartments, which help pay for the upkeep of the building to ensure it is self-sustaining.