In a small town like Wheeling, West Virginia, belonging can mean everything to someone. Yet for some, small-town life can bring feelings of isolation or uncertainty about acceptance. In these places, representation and visible support matter more than ever. When it’s so easy to feel alone, even a small sense of hope and understanding can make a difference. With this in mind, Wheeling’s own community decided to take a stand and bring friendliness to those who crave it. The Friendlier City Project is about the courage to create a safe space for acceptance, love, and a powerful impact.
The Friendlier City Project is Wheeling’s very own LGBTQ+ non-profit organization that focuses on making Wheeling a welcoming and inviting town to all. Officially founded just four years ago in 2022 by Mikaya Green and Rosemary Ketchum, the organization has helped the city’s queer community flourish.
¨I moved back home after graduating from college around 2020. While living in New York City during school, I really began to understand and embrace my sexuality. When I came back home, I was still closeted to a lot of people and honestly just looking for a sense of community like the one I had found in New York. Shortly after, Rosemary Ketchum had just become the first trans elected official, which felt really meaningful. On Halloween night, I ended up asking her if there were any LGBTQ+ groups in the area. From that conversation, we connected, had our first meeting, and just kept going from there and founded The Friendlier City Project,” said co-founder Mikaya Green.
Co-founder Rosemary Ketchum was looking to show that Wheeling is a place where everyone can feel at home.
¨Wheeling is my home, and I wanted it to be a place where everyone, especially LGBTQ+ people, could feel that too. The Friendlier City Project came from a simple but powerful belief that belonging is not something you earn. It is something every person deserves, and we wanted to build a city that reflects that and becomes a reality,¨ said Ketchum.
Through The Friendlier City Project, Wheeling’s LGBTQ+ community has celebrated through events like art showcases, dine to donate, dance parties, and, of course, the annual Pride on the Plaza, which takes place each year during June. These events provide a fun and safe space to celebrate, though the excitement doesn’t come without backlash.
“When we first announced our first Pride festival, it was honestly pretty overwhelming. We faced a lot of backlash. A group of protestors even went to the city council and spoke against us, saying we weren’t family-friendly and making some really hurtful comments.¨ said Green. “But we stayed diplomatic through all of it. I think over the past four years, we’ve really earned respect in the community. People still say negative things on social media sometimes, but we don’t see a lot of that reflected in real life. We’ve always tried to stay open to feedback and have honest conversations, and that’s something I really love about what we’ve built. Wheeling truly has supported us so much, and I hope that kids see that and feel accepted here.”
The Friendlier City Projects events allow the community to represent LGBTQ+ youth in the Ohio Valley, and even in the smallest ways, the celebration has an impeccable impact.
¨[Visibility and representation] are everything. When you see yourself reflected in your community, in a storefront, in a local event, in the people around you, it sends a message that you matter here. For young LGBTQ+ people especially, that message can be so important. Pride on the Plaza will always be such an incredible part of the work. Seeing flags in windows across downtown, watching people gather and celebrate openly, and hearing young people say they felt proud to be from Wheeling, that was really the whole point! And we get better every day,¨ said Rosemary Kethcum.
Over the past four years, Wheeling has embraced and supported The Friendlier City Project. Last summer, Pride on the Plazas third consecutive year, brought in hundreds of people to celebrate. With thousands of followers and supporters on social media apps, it is no surprise that those supporters will continue to show up for the Ohio Valley’s LGBTQ+ community.
“One of our first initiatives was a sticker campaign where local businesses could put a sticker in their window to show they were a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space. Now, if you go downtown, you’ll see our sticker almost everywhere. Even though we’re technically in a red state, Wheeling has really supported us throughout this whole journey. We’ve built some amazing partnerships, and I’m so thankful for the community here. I really hope the youth see just how many people in the Ohio Valley support the LGBTQ+ community. We also see so many incredible community members show up for Pride every year, and it’s honestly my favorite event. It’s when you really get to feel that support in person,” said Green.
When you believe something is worth fighting for, fight for it. No matter if you feel that your desires aren’t realistic, they very likely are, and The Friendlier City Project is a great example of what you can do with something so small.
¨Start where you are. You do not need a big platform or a perfect plan, but you need consistency and a desire to listen to your community. Show up and follow the lead of the people most vulnerable, and keep showing up even when it is not a big moment. That is where the real change happens and impacts us the most,¨ said Rosemary Ketchum.
In a small town like Wheeling, West Virginia, the Friendlier City Project makes belonging feel possible. If you feel like you don’t have a place, go out there and find it, because there are always people out there who want to celebrate you for who you are.
“I just hope more people choose to stay in Wheeling. I want this to be a thriving, welcoming, and truly friendly city for everyone. I hope to see the community better reflected in legislation and to have more statewide support. I also want to continue building stronger partnerships and growing that sense of community support. I love Wheeling and want our Queer family here to thrive,” said Green.
