NoVA Prism Center
NoVA Prism Center is a private library and community center serving the Northern Virginia LGBTQIA+ community through providing access to educational and community resources highlighting LGBT+ lives, bodies, and history, with a focus on supporting teens, young adults, and multiply marginalized communities in the region. We seek to break down the disparity between the large local LGBTQIA+ population and the lack of local resources, with an emphasis on equity, community, and compassion.
In July 2021, Leon was walking home from karaoke (while living in Japan) when a friend shared an anecdote with him that shattered his entire sense of self. That evening, he realized that he was transgender. As he began to navigate the realities of being early in transition in a foreign country, planning to move back to Virginia to teach in public schools, Leon realized three fundamental truths: First, that the school systems in his home were fighting challenges in their libraries over books about people just like him. Second, that he would not feel safe as a newly-out trans man teaching in a public school in the current political environment. And third, that he's really good at education and connection.
Leon founded NoVA Prism Center in 2022 under fiscal sponsorship, and achieved nonprofit status in February of 2023, opening the doors to the public this past November.
Programs
Library Pop-Ups
Our Library Pop-Up events bring our programs and services out into the community for a day. In addition to bringing a selection of our book collection, we run kids' story times, set up our gender-affirming exchange closet, and share a sensory-friendly arts corner, celebrating our community and providing access to underserved areas within Northern Virginia.
The Lantern zine
NoVA Prism Center publishes an online independent literary magazine, The Lantern, one to two times per year. The zine exists to uplift and share the work of writers, artists, and creatives throughout Northern Virginia and the DC Metro Area, celebrating the beauty of LGBTQIA+ life.
Volunteering + Events
NPC Presents: A Coming Out Gay-La
Celebrate with NoVA Prism Center at our annual Coming Out Gay-la, a fundraiser and celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community that occurs shortly after National Coming Out Day in October. For more information, check out our website and socials for announcements.