Spring is nearly here, the days should—hopefully—be getting warmer. Even if it’s still a bit chilly, it’s time to get out of the house and down to the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland in the Detroit Shoreway this Saturday, March 7 for a wardrobe refresh at the free Queer Clothing Swap.

Dating back to 2025, the LGBT Center’s seasonal community clothing exchanges help support gender expression and sustainability within the LGBTQ+ community.  LGBT Center communications manager Liz Mazur says they usually see about 50 people at the swaps. She says  they also host them on the east side at Noble Neighborhood Library and Central Outreach Wellness Center to help make the event accessible to more people across the region.

“The purpose of our Queer Clothing Swaps is to create an affirming and dignified space where people can connect through clothing, fashion, and queer identity and self-expression," says event organizer and LGBT Center staff member Hunter Evans, "while fostering mutual aid and building community.”

Mazur tells of one past Queer Clothing Swap when an attendee told her that she had always wanted to try a certain style of clothing but never had the chance. "She was able to find those pieces to create the style for free, try them on, and falling in love with that style," Mazur recalls. "She said it felt incredibly affirming. It was powerful to see how the event gave someone an affordable and accessible way to explore their identity."

“Our Queer Clothing Swap has become a cornerstone of the Center’s intergenerational programming," says LGBT Community Center program manager Alyssa Roberts. "It creates a space for mutual aid where community members can share clothing that no longer serves them while helping someone else feel more comfortable and affirmed. It’s also a chance for people of all ages to connect over something we all share: clothes.”

Come on out, socialize, and explore and celebrate queer style and self-expression!