Lions Club makes history

Cromwell chapter sponsors Middlesex Pride in Service Lions Club

by Sarah Barr

Staff Writer

Founded in 1917, Lions Club International is 109 years old. It’s the world’s largest volunteer service organization with 1.4 million members in more than 200 countries.

This year, it is not only continuing to grow, but the expansion in Cromwell is making history. The Middlesex Pride in Service Lions Club is a specialty club centered on inclusion and pride, serving the LGBTQ+ community and allies throughout Eastern Connecticut.

“We are the first in Connecticut and one of only a few in the U.S.,” Lisa Klein said. “We saw a need and this region is close to a strong Pride area. We said, heck yeah, and started talking to people.”

She is the president of the Cromwell Lions chapter and Guiding Lion for this new group for the next two years.

Founding members of the Middlesex Pride in Service Lions Club. Submitted photo

Among those also saying “heck yeah” are Club President Jenny Rosado, First Vice President Angel Hayes, Secretary Ray Jones and Marketing Chairperson Marceline Campbell-Ogbunezu.

The driving force is inclusion, not only with society, but within their own “alphabet soup” community.

“As a community, we seem to be segregated,” Jones said.

He “came out” at age 18 and said he only found connection at Pride events and gay bars. “What this Lions Club does is bring us together in service. It’s our third place – there’s home, work, but where’s our third place? It’s usually the bars, but I have yet to find a service organization to make change.”

Until now.

“It’s not throwing bricks, but building bricks. We’re doing something revolutionary,” Jones added, referring to the legendary catalyst of the Stonewall riots of 1969, an uprising in New York City that ignited the modern LGBTQ+ movement.

“Everyone wants to save the world but no one wants to help mom with the dishes,” Hayes, one of the younger members of the group, added. “If you want to build a community, it is through service.”

“Service is something I wanted to do my whole life,” Rosado added. “I retired May 1st after 36-and-a-half-years [with UPS]. Even if I’m in that alphabet, I’m a human being.”

As is her transgender child, who is also searching for that unification under the colors of the Pride flag.

“As the social media manager, I focus on perception and insight,” Campbell-Ogbunezu said.

“There’s a lot in this climate that is not based in truth or fact or reality. Our duty as diverse people is to make sure that those perspectives are being seen and heard.

“I’m a trans woman born in Nigeria who grew up in Baltimore. I came to Connecticut three years ago from New York City. I’ve seen a lot of life and something like this will make kids from small towns, all towns, who don’t see people like themselves be seen and understood. It’s about being human.”

Kaiden Allen and his mother Karen at a Pride event. Kaiden created the handmade Lion banner. Submitted photo.

The chapter started in April but members are already involved. They participated in the Middletown Pride Parade and Rally on June 6 and turned out for the Charter Celebration at Cromwell Town Hall on June 12. The party is just getting started at its hybrid meetings with in-person opportunities held often at Tony’s Flour Shop, a proud, queer-owned business.

Recruitment is underway and so are service event ideas and opportunities with the “lion’s share” focusing not just on lifting up the LGBTQ+ community but also on vision, hunger relief, youth programs, environmental issues and military veterans, all with a more inclusive approach.

“My hope for the Pride in Service Lions Club is that we will raise awareness and provide support for issues that inordinately impact the LGBTQ+ community. Such issues include homelessness, particularly among youth and young adults, increased risk of HIV/AIDS and HepC, access to gender-affirming care, increased risk of mental health issues, and more,” member Kaiden Allen said.

To be a Lion, all you need to know is how to serve with kindness, empathy and unity.

“This is a place for new and old queer folk to gather, teach, grow, learn, and most of all, serve,” Jones said.

“This includes the straight community, too. That’s how we get to know each other. Break down barriers,” Rosado added.

“The Lions provide an organization of unity and inclusion. Everybody can come and serve. This is a club that does not exclude advocates and supporters. All can join,” Klein said.

Her mother had to settle for being a “Lioness” because back in her day women were not allowed to join. Members of the LGBTQ+ community are already members of the Lion’s Club. This specialty group gives added exposure and needs additional support.

“A lot of people have so much compassion for those in pain and they want to serve a community that has been historically put through so much pain,” Klein added. “I am not a member of this alphabet, but I love their energy. I get to be so immersed. I’m proud to be the Guiding Lion.”

“Build a community. Make connections now as people become young adults. It’s more important [than ever] to be heard and understood,” Hayes said.

“Listen. Know the history. Why things exist. Our history is written in blood. The ‘plus’ [in LGBTQ+] is for everyone else.” CL

For more information, go to https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573325693217 or emailmiddlesexlionspride@gmail.com.