Positive Images, Sonoma County’s only LGBTQ+ community center, provides safe space at new, bigger location

SANTA ROSA, Calif. (KGO) — In the North Bay, a longtime LGBTQ+ nonprofit has a new home in Santa Rosa.

Positive Images, Sonoma County’s only LGBTQ+ community center, is expanding at a time when the transgender and queer community is facing backlash across the country. The new facility offers a safe space.

“I love to just say, ‘Hey, what brings you in today? Welcome. You found us,'” said Executive Director Chase Overholt.

Overholt is welcoming everyone to the new home for Positive Images. It’s a new chapter.

“It feels like a moment, reminding our community you really deserve the space. At a time when things feel a bit dark, this is a bright light,” Overholt said.

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Chase says at a time when queer and transgender people are facing mounting hostility across the country, this is new space is a safe one.

“When the cultural zeitgeist says our voices don’t matter, or we’re wrong for simply existing, it’s time to create spaces where we see you, hear you, and we value every piece of you as soon as you walk through the door,” Overholt said.

This space is double the size of the former center with expanded resources for the LGBTQ+ community, offering drop-in services, weekly support groups for all ages, bilingual programs and mental health counseling — even a few surprises.

“This is our transformation station,” Overholt said.

It’s a free community closet where folks can explore.

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“They play around with gender expression, figure out what feels good, take it home. Sometimes there’s dresses, overalls,” Overholt said.

During our visit, author Maia Kobab donated some books for the center’s library. Kobab’s happy young people have this refuge.

“Having a safe space out of school where people can show up after school and read books, it’s really important,” Kobab said.

Positive Images, was founded in 1990 during the AIDS crisis. Today, the new center is also a great place to just chill and be yourself.

“It’s really good to offer youth a place where they can be free of what’s going on in their lives or at home. Here we are going to call you by your correct pronouns,” said Crimson Diggs, programs assistant at Positive Images.