A heart and home for LGBTQ+ New Yorkers

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center (The Center) was established in 1983 at the height of the AIDS crisis to provide a safe and affirming place for LGBTQ+ New Yorkers to respond to the urgent threats facing the community. Over the past 40 years, The Center has grown to meet the changing needs of New York’s LGBTQ+ community, delivering services that empower people to lead healthy, successful lives.

2022 By the Numbers

As a gathering place, advocacy champion, and service provider, The Center plays a critical role in the lives of thousands of LGBTQ+ New Yorkers daily.

6,697

Total hours booked

4,200

Community reservations

4,051

Unique mental health services provided

4,500

Direct services provided for youth

13,564

Substance use recovery services provided

2,198

Unique services provided to immigrants

History of The Center

For 40 years The Center has been a cornerstone of New York's LGBTQ+ community. See how far we've come.

Our Programs and Services

Operating in-person and virtually, we provide recovery and wellness programs, economic advancement initiatives, family and youth support, advocacy, arts and cultural programming, and space for community organizing, connection, and celebration.

Culture and Community

Our arts, culture, and entertainment programming is diverse, spanning Second Tuesday lecture series, book readings, film screenings, live performances, workshops, and exhibitions of visual art and historical ephemera.

Recovery and Health

We provide a range of services for our community to improve and maintain their health. Health programs include substance use treatment, counseling, recovery groups, HIV/AIDS testing and education, health insurance enrollment assistance, and social support groups.

Youth Substance Use and Recovery

Substance use treatment for people ages 13 and up through our New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS)-licensed team.

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Harm Reduction

Individual harm reduction counseling is available for people who use crystal meth.

Substance Use Treatment

Recovery Support for TGNCNB

Specialized harm reduction counseling and support for transgender, gender nonconforming, and nonbinary (TGNCNB) people.

Substance Use Treatment

Recovery Options

Recovery support groups and continuing care counseling post-treatment

Support Group Calendar

Case Management

Our case management services for LGBTQ+ adults span connections to TGNCNB-affirming resources, referrals to immigration legal services, assistance navigating public benefits, support accessing affordable housing, and events providing free access to basic resources.

TGNCNB Affirming Resources

Connections to TGNCNB-affirming resources and care, such as name change referrals and navigation of TGNCNB-specific health procedures and providers in NYC.

Immigration Referrals

Referrals to immigration legal services and connections to shelter, food, and medical care for immigrants.

Support

Support for survivors of crime

Assistance Navigating Public Benefits

Assistance with navigating public benefits such as cash assistance and SNAP

Assistance with Affordable Housing

Support accessing or maintaining LGBTQ+ affirming, affordable housing

Access to Basic Resources

Ad hoc events to provide free access to basic resources, such as food and clothing.

Youth and Family

Our services and programs for LGBTQ+ young people and their families cover key needs. LGBTQ+ youth and their families can access counseling, medical resources, and referrals.

Counseling

Counseling for families with LGBTQ+ youth

Leadership Opportunities

Youth leadership programs, including paid internships, college and career prep, and more

Sober Space

A drug- and alcohol-free youth social space

Youth Programming

Youth support groups, social activities, workshops, and performing arts programming

LIFT

An LGBTQ+ specific family therapy certification program for clinicians

Economic Advancement

Our economic advancement programs are tailored to the unique needs of LGBTQ+ job-seekers and include paid internship opportunities.

Learning Opportunities

One-on-one career coaching, financial literacy classes, and professional development workshops

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Expand your Network

Networking, social, and co-working spaces for LGBTQ+ professionals from many different industries

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Referrals

Referrals and resources for job placement services, vocational and training programs, and more

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Advocacy

The Center leads, organizes, and supports the coordination of a statewide coalition called RiseOut, representing more than 50+ LGBTQ and allied organizations from every region of New York State. The Center is committed to centering the needs of those who are most impacted by systemic oppression in all our advocacy work.

Our Focus

Advocacy work at The Center focuses on collaboration to protect and proactively advance LGBTQ+ affirming laws and policies in New York state.

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RiseOut

Mobilizing thousands of community members (volunteers, community activists, and organizational leaders) to generate activities, ideas, and strategies for change

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Getting Involved

Promoting civic engagement to help foster change at local, state, and national levels.

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Advocacy Hub

Serving as a trusted information and resource hub for statewide LGBTQ+ Advocacy.

Advocacy