LGBTQ+ spaces like Alphabet Soup are disappearing across the country. But the need for them has not disappeared. Alphabet Soup is more than a place to go out. It is a place where people come to feel safe, seen, welcomed, and connected. It is where strangers become friends, friends become family, and people can walk in, exhale, and simply be themselves.

The name "Alphabet Soup" came from a simple idea—we didn't want anyone to feel left out or labeled. We wanted a place where everyone belongs.

When the hurricane hit, we did what community spaces are supposed to do. We opened our doors. We ran generators. We set up phone charging stations. We served coffee. We waived membership fees so people had somewhere safe to go. We didn’t hesitate, because that is who we are.

Like many small businesses here, we were affected when the hurricane disrupted the local community and reduced foot traffic. Now people are coming back, and we’re starting to feel that energy again. We’ve already taken major steps forward. Alphabet Soup is now completely smoke-free indoors, and we’ve refreshed the space to make it more welcoming than ever. The response has been incredible. We’re seeing new faces, more energy, and real growth.

We’re not standing still. We’re building momentum with live entertainment, karaoke, themed nights, and special events designed to bring people together and grow our community. But transitions like this take time. Now we’re asking for help to bridge the gap between that momentum and long-term stability.

My name is Metria Jones, and I created Alphabet Soup because I know what it feels like to search for a place where you truly belong. Years ago, during my transition, there was a place in this community called the Oar House. It wasn’t just a bar. It was a safe space, a place where people could feel at home. When it closed, something important disappeared. I didn’t want to wait for that feeling to come back. So I built one. I’ve spent my life building systems—serving in the Air Force in satellite communications, helping launch satellites at RCA, working on advanced technology at Raytheon, and creating one of the early social networks before the internet through a system called Meganet. I was also proud to help write, fight for, and pass Gulfport's original Human Rights Ordinance. But what I’ve always really built is connection. Alphabet Soup is the next version of that. For the past three years, it has become a place where people can walk in, exhale, and be themselves. Where strangers become friends, and friends become family. Across the country, spaces like this have been quietly disappearing—not because they stopped mattering, but because it has become harder for small, independent community spaces to survive. At a time when many people feel uncertain about where they belong, spaces like Alphabet Soup matter more than ever.

What your support will help us do: We’re raising funds to help us navigate this transition and keep Alphabet Soup strong while we grow. Your support will help us cover essential operating expenses (rent, utilities, staff), support ongoing events and programming that bring people together, and keep our doors open during this critical growth period. This support gives us the runway to turn growing momentum into long-term stability.

This isn’t just about keeping a business open. It’s about protecting a place where people feel safe, accepted, and connected. It’s about making sure there is still somewhere people can go and feel like they belong.

If Alphabet Soup has ever meant something to you, we would be deeply grateful for your support. If you believe spaces like this matter, we would be honored if you stood with us. And if you can’t donate, sharing this campaign helps more than you know. Because places like Alphabet Soup don’t survive by accident. They survive because people decide they’re worth it.

With gratitude,

Metria Jones

Owner, Alphabet Soup