One Voice

One Voice

One Voice

One Voice is a LGBT community center in Phoenix whose mission is to “create a strong community of LGBT individuals who live without fear, shame and isolation”. They do this through providing social and wellness programs along with conducting seminars and a comfortable meeting place. Their activism which helps empower the LGBT community addresses a marginalized community which often doesn’t receive the support it needs, this is a feminist group because it is allowing this marginalized group to receive resources they wouldn’t normally get.

 725 West Indian School Road

Suite #125

Phoenix, AZ 85013

Phone Number: 602-712-0111

Effective 1/10/10

Monday-Friday12-9pm

Saturdays 9am-2pm

For an ASU student wanting to start getting involved there is always someone available during their hours of open operation and walk ins are very welcome however they have monthly meeting Every 3rd Friday, 10:30am-12:30pm. They are also always in need of  volunteers to help staff the center during business hours currently specifically Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from noon to 9pm and Saturdays from 9am to 2pm. These volunteer staff are responsible for greeting and assisting visitors to the Center and other basic tasks like helping keep the center clean and basic office work. They also always need people on their special events team who work booths at events such as the Pride and the Rainbow festival. To join this committee and to find out about other volunteer opportunities ASU students can email volunteers@1vcc.org.

 One Voice the LGBT community center in Phoenix that we chose as an organization that embodies feminist activism because it provides an important meeting space for the LGBT community and their allies to get together and form social networks. While also providing wellness programs specifically targeting HIV and AIDS which still affects the LGBT community and society as a whole. It follows with the theme that all our organizations follow which is promoting cultural acceptance verses just tolerance. LGBT community centers in general “enhance(s) our education and provide(s) tools to be culturally respectful, professionally competent, and civically responsible (Ryan).” All these are vital tools in the process of social change. Social change begins with awareness. It is vital to inform people that they are not alone in their struggles. Specifically in this case of the One Voice Community Center which educates people that are dealing and struggling with their sexualities, and trying to work out where they fit into society. They need to know that there is a problem with society as a whole that needs to be fixed, not a problem with them. The next step in this process of social change that One Voice invokes is giving people a sense of ownership over an issue. They need to feel like they can be a power for changing the current system. This then moves them in the direction of social responsibility, where they try and change these issues in their daily lives. There are existing systems of oppression for sexual minorities and there is an obviously “a need for changing these structures (Pastrana).” This is shown through the high rates of abuse LGBT members receive from everyone including people in their families.  Once these systems of oppression are deconstructed, which centers like One Voice aide in, change can move forward, extending a more equal world for everyone. Members of the LGBT community can gain equal access to health care and marriage rights, and be able to build families with in this society. This organization is all inclusive and is a place for people of all nationalities and class’s to come together through been sexual minorities providing a bridge through race and class divisions. This organization bridges intersectionality and forms a place for everyone to reside and produces open dialogue. We think it is important for everyone to know about one voice so they can learn about LGBT issues and get involved as members as members of this community or as allies. That way there is a chance for changing the current system oppressing everyone.

Ryan, Robin. "The evolution of an LGBT center at a public institution." New Directions for Student Services 111 (2005): 71-74.Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 9 Nov. 2010

PASTRANA JR., ANTONIO. "Privileging Oppression: Contradictions in Intersectional Politics." Western Journal of Black Studies 34.1 (2010): 53-63. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 9 Nov. 2010.