Community and Loss

If these difficult times have taught us anything, it’s that no one is immune from loss and grief. But for LGBTQ+ people, these experiences can be compounded by discrimination, prejudice, and lack of support from family and friends.

This November, The Center continues to foster queer community in the face of staggering loss. We’re holding space for LGBTQ+ New Yorkers to safely and effectively navigate the ongoing threats to our safety, health, and wellness. We’re particularly aware of how these threats affect our transgender community members—that’s why it’s so important to build and nurture safe and affirming queer spaces. These spaces and the chosen families we find within them provide the space we need to grieve, seek support, and to heal. They also give us the strength to fight back against all that seek to harm us. This is not a losing battle. Together, we are stronger.

Here are some ways to build connection:

  • Find a supportive community group. We offer LGBTQ+ community groups available, both online and in person. These groups provide a space to connect with other LGBTQ+ people who understand what you’re going through.
  • Get involved in LGBTQ+ activism. When we work together to fight for LGBTQ+ rights, we build community and resilience. The Center is a hub for LGBTQ+ activism and advocacy and a catalyst for progressive social change. We can transform the challenges we face into the challenges we’ve overcome.
  • Express yourself. Art is a crucial part of the story of our community. Raising your voice – through whatever medium – helps us heal and lets others hear the truth of our experience. Immerse yourself in our arts & cultural programs and events. 

Even as we grieve the loss of loved ones, we must also celebrate our collective strength. You don’t have to go it alone. Here are real ways we can support each other in the queer community:

  • Support LGBTQ+ parents who seek support on their caregiving journeys (especially as gender-affirming care comes under attack). We can do this by advocating for gender-affirming care, donating to organizations that support LGBTQ+ families, and offering our support to LGBTQ+ parents in our own lives.
  • Remember trans and GNC lives lived and lost under the shadow of exclusion, bigotry, and hate. Attend Transgender Day of Remembrance events, learning about the history of the trans movement, and donating to organizations that support trans and GNC people.
  • Create new stories, new legacies, and new histories more optimistic than the ones that surround us. We can do this by sharing our own stories, supporting LGBTQ+ artists and writers, and creating spaces where LGBTQ+ people can feel safe and affirmed. 

We are all stronger together. By building connection and resilience in the queer community, we can create a more just and equitable world for all.