A Quad-City LGBTQ+ counseling center is making sure everyone in the community has a place to gather this Christmas.

Clock, Inc in Rock Island provided food and drinks and hosted a white elephant to all members of the community throughout Christmas Day. Adam Peters, Clock, Inc’s Director of Operations, says the holidays can be hard for members of the LGBTQ community, which is why the organization started the tradition four years ago.

“It’s just a whole gathering of folks that may not have somewhere else to go, but also may just want to be around loving, affirming people,” Peters said. “This is just important because a lot of LGBTQ people face some you know family members that might not be accepting. They want a space where they feel comfortable, feel authentic. The holidays can be a tough time, but we try to offset that with our Clockmas event.”

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A safe space