BELOIT — A “Friendsgiving” event for LGBTQ+, which will include food and allyship, is set for Nov. 18 from 4-7 p.m. at UW-Whitewater Rock County, 2909 Kellog Avenue in Janesville. All are welcome to the event, which is sponsored by the Rock County LGBTQ+ Committee and DEFY Domestic Abuse Beloit. Many additional organizations are partnering on this event, including the UWW-Rock County LGBTQ+ Alliance; Janesville Pride; the Yellow Brick Road organization; and BASE (Building a Safer Evansville).
A meal will be provided at no cost at the “Friendsgiving.” Attendees may bring food or non-alcoholic beverages, but it is not required. No reservations are necessary.
“The Rock County LGBTQ+ Committee this year truly wanted all of the LGBTQ+ organizations to gather and have a safe space for all LGBTQ+ community members,” said Stephanie Hormig, LGBTQ+ advocate for DEFY. “We contacted all the organizations that we could think of, and each of them were happy to participate. It allows people to gather, collaborate, and feel safe.”
Following the Friendsgiving event, UW-Whitewater Rock County is performing a Drag Revue, which begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Kirk Denmark Theatre. Tickets are $15 and may be purchased at the door or online at https://bit.ly/3th9wTn.
The Rock County LGBTQ+ Committee works to promote a safe, inclusive, and accepting environment for all LGBTQ+ community members through education, activities, and support systems. The Committee also works to bridge the gap between youth and older LGBTQ+ members, and between rural and urban LGBTQ+ members.
As part of Family Services of Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois, Inc., DEFY Domestic Abuse Beloit extends to survivors of domestic abuse all the support offered by Family Services. This includes financial planning; parenting support; therapy and counseling; legal advocacy; and community outreach.
In addition to DEFY Domestic Abuse Beloit, Family Services includes the following: Individual & Family Counseling Program; Sexual Assault Recovery Program; Life Financial Solutions; Praxis Employee Assistance Program; Youth2Youth 4 Change; and The Neighborhood Resilience Project.
Family Services is a funded partner of United Way Blackhawk Region, United Way of Green County, and the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin.
The mission of Family Services of Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois, Inc. is to restore, sustain, and enhance the lives of members of the community by providing an array of empowering services that focus on prevention, advocacy, case management, education, counseling and therapy.
