CenterLink, July 22,2024
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Discover the vital roles of 30 LGBTQ centers across Pennsylvania, fostering community, support, and advocacy for all.
Pennsylvania is home to a dynamic network of LGBTQ centers, all members of CenterLink, dedicated to fostering inclusivity, providing support, and advocating for equality. These 30 centers each offer unique services, yet all share a common mission: to create safe and welcoming spaces where LGBTQ individuals can connect, grow, and thrive. Here, we explore each center's mission, vision, and the vital role they play in their communities.
William Way LGBT Community Center
The William Way LGBT Community Center in greater Philadelphia seeks to engage and support the diverse LGBTQ communities through arts & culture, empowerment, and community connections. Their vision is for all LGBTQ individuals to feel safe, connected, and empowered, with a commitment to reflecting this diversity in their staff, management, and board. Despite challenges, the Center has evolved to meet the needs of its constituents, strengthened by community engagement, connections, and participation in vital programming.
Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center
Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley provides an inclusive space for LGBTQ residents. They offer community programs, LGBTQ health services, and advocacy, including organizing the region's Pride festival. Their mission is to provide safe spaces for the LGBTQ community, informed by discussions with other centers and public safety leaders. Starting January 2023, admission to the building will be by request for enhanced security, while still offering queer programming. The Center emphasizes their ongoing support and openness to all community members.
The LGBT Center of Central Pennsylvania fosters inclusive communities and holistic well-being for LGBTQ+ people through social, educational, and cultural engagement. Standing with social justice movements advocating for marginalized groups, the Center prioritizes safety, respect, dignity, intersectionality, and inclusion. Efforts focus on understanding and challenging privileges, centering the voices of the most marginalized, and fostering collaborative partnerships based on mutuality.
The Attic Youth Center creates opportunities for LGBTQ youth to develop into healthy, independent, civic-minded adults within a safe and supportive community, promoting their acceptance in society. Many LGBTQ youth face daily prejudice and oppression, leaving them feeling isolated and vulnerable. The Attic provides a sense of belonging and understanding through a wide range of programs and services, supporting their transition into thriving adults, facilitating growth, empowerment, and resiliency, and helping them find their often-silenced voices.
The PGH Equality Center is committed to integrity through accountability, transparency, and honesty in all interactions. It fosters a community of positive and productive communication, values diverse perspectives, and strives for representation from its diverse community. As advocates for a more just and empowered community, the Center actively promotes its mission, focusing on education, advocacy, and social justice for all LGBTQIA+ people and allies in Western Pennsylvania, aiming to cultivate a collaborative, inclusive, and diverse environment.
LGBT Center of Greater Reading
The LGBT Center of Greater Reading proudly serves the LGBTQ+ community and allies in Reading, Berks County, and surrounding areas, including Lebanon, Schuylkill, Montgomery, Lancaster, and Chester Counties. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a 2023 Platinum Seal of Transparency from Guidestar, the Center is dedicated to creating a welcoming, safe, and empowering environment. It provides services, advocacy, and support to ensure a life of fulfillment, inclusion, and celebration for all community members and allies.
SAGA COMMUNITY CENTER A PROGRAM OF WELCOME PROJECT PA
The Welcome Project PA is a diverse and safe haven for marginalized and vulnerable populations in Greater Philadelphia. It aims to bring about positive social change and improve the quality of life for individuals and families. Providing educational resources, support groups, social activities, advocacy, interfaith learning and cooperation, as well as trauma-informed therapy and counseling, the center serves newcomers to the US, Spanish-speaking communities, refugees, vulnerable faith communities, LGBTQ communities, and people living in poverty who lack basic necessities.
At the Rainbow Rose Center in York County, Pennsylvania, inclusivity, equity, and health are paramount for the thriving of all LGBTQIA community members. The center envisions an inclusive community where every individual in York County feels safe and welcomed in their everyday lives. Committed to creating a safe and inclusive space, the center does not discriminate based on any characteristic protected by law, ensuring that all community members can access support and resources without fear of prejudice or exclusion.
The Lancaster LGBTQ+ Coalition is a hub for connection, support, and amplification of LGBTQ+ voices throughout Lancaster. Dedicated to creating vibrant and inclusive spaces, the Coalition offers a range of supportive and enriching opportunities for individuals across the LGBTQ+ spectrum. Through diverse programming and community engagement, the Coalition fosters compassion and growth within Lancaster. Explore the community groups, resources, and blog to discover the Coalition's efforts in building a stronger, more connected LGBTQ+ community.
Lititz Chooses Love emerged in 2021 as a response to vandalism against a Pride flag in Lititz, evolving into a trans-led organization fostering inclusivity and support for LGBTQ+ individuals across Lancaster and Lebanon Counties. Through initiatives like informational sessions for parents, resource centers, and awareness campaigns, the movement creates safe spaces and advocates for acceptance. Monthly events offer camaraderie, while political advocacy drives a future of inclusivity and compassion. Lititz Chooses Love embodies the resilience of a community united by the transformative power of love.
THERAPY CENTER OF PHILADELPHIA
The Therapy Center of Philadelphia (TCP) offers holistic services encompassing individual and couples therapy, group and family psychotherapy, specialized trans-affirming therapy, and trauma-related healing through Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Rooted in principles of racial equity, queer liberation, and Trans-affirmation, the center is committed to fostering healing and transformation. Guided by feminist philosophy, the therapeutic approach underscores the significance of social justice in addressing power dynamics, marginalization, and gender-related oppression.
The Hugh Lane Wellness Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of the LGBTQ and HIV communities. Offering a range of services and resources, as well as expert training for organizations, the foundation aims to improve the capacity to serve LGBTQ clients and staff. Named in memory of Hugh "Huey" Lane, who faced significant stigma, the foundation strives to combat bias and create spaces where individuals can be their authentic selves. The mission focuses on raising health outcomes by addressing the Social Determinants of Health identified by the CDC in Western Pennsylvania.
The Persad Center is dedicated to improving the well-being of the LGBTQ+ and HIV/AIDS communities in Western Pennsylvania through outreach, prevention, counseling, advocacy, and training services. Founded in 1972, Persad Center was one of the first in the nation to offer professional counseling specifically for the LGBTQ+ community. In the 1980s, it expanded its mission to serve those affected by HIV/AIDS. With decades of experience, Persad provides a comprehensive array of programs and services for individuals of all ages and stages of life, striving to build stronger, safer, and healthier communities.
Compton’s Table in Northwestern Pennsylvania works to create a thriving queer community where individuals are seen, valued, and affirmed. Using a community-health model, Compton’s Table links queer individuals with community-based professionals to ensure access to safe, competent, and inclusive services in education, medical, and mental health systems. The organization specializes in curating safe spaces for queer and gender nonconforming people.
Proud Haven's mission is to provide a safe shelter for LGBTQIA+ youth experiencing homelessness in Pittsburgh. Additionally, we offer emotional support and resources to help LGBTQIA+ youth develop the skills needed for independent living. Our goal is to serve as a leading resource for shelter and support services, improving the quality of life for LGBTQIA+ youth experiencing homelessness while advocating for the LGBTQIA+ population as a whole.
The Queer Family Planning Project emerged from the challenges encountered by a couple, facing obstacles while trying to expand their family. From navigating unnecessary testing to grappling with high costs, they recognized the frustrations LGBTQ+ individuals encounter in family planning. The project aims to ease financial burdens and offer support to LGBTQ+ individuals pursuing parenthood, striving to ensure that starting a family is accessible and fulfilling for everyone.
Centre LGBT+ is dedicated to promoting LGBT+ education, advocacy, and community activities in Centre County. Established in 2014, the organization emerged from a mission to prevent LGBT+ suicides and enhance the lives of LGBT+ individuals and their allies. From open-mic nights to support groups and youth summits, offerings have expanded in response to community needs. With a physical location, Centre LGBT+ serves as Centre County's only LGBT+ organization, committed to fostering inclusivity and collaboration in the region.
The Resilience Resource Center is focused on fostering and building resilience skills within marginalized communities. It offers accessible mental health services, safe-space educational environments, and career skills training to enhance the quality of life for individuals and families. Emphasizing the transformative power of resilience, the center aims to help communities overcome challenges and thrive, providing compassionate and empowering support to those in need.
WASHINGTON COUNTY GAY STRAIGHT ALLIANCE
The Washington County Gay Straight Alliance, Inc. is dedicated to fostering acceptance among diverse groups and raising awareness about the needs of LGBTQA+ individuals through support, education, and community outreach. WCGSA, Inc. offers a safe, confidential environment for individuals in
Washington County and surrounding areas, regardless of sex, race, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation.
The Rainbow Room, part of Planned Parenthood Keystone, provides essential reproductive health care services and comprehensive sexuality education. The Rainbow Room offers LGBTQ+ youth programs in York, Reading, and Doylestown, creating a safe, supportive, and fun environment for LGBTQ+ youth and allies. Additionally, it provides community health education, chat/text support for teens, and one-on-one counseling related to sexual and reproductive health, all aimed at fostering healthy lives and strong communities.
GLO is a community resource center for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults of color, focusing on the experiences and needs of LGBTQ+ men of color and trans women of color. The center provides free and confidential STI/HIV testing, virtual therapy, access to PrEP, and various other social services. GLO is dedicated to reducing the community’s HIV viral load by testing and connecting individuals to HIV care and prevention services.
EASTERN PA TRANS EQUITY PROJECT
The Eastern PA Trans Equity Project (EPTEP) serves as a critical resource hub for transgender and gender-diverse individuals across thirty-three counties in Eastern Pennsylvania. Offering essential services such as support with legal name changes, access to gender-affirming garments, and guidance in navigating support groups, EPTEP is dedicated to addressing the unique needs of the transgender community. Through its unwavering commitment to advocacy and empowerment, EPTEP strives to create a more equitable and affirming society for transgender individuals in the region.
LGBT EQUALITY ALLIANCE OF CHESTER COUNTY
The LGBT Equality Alliance of Chester County is a cornerstone of support and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community, promoting inclusivity, well-being, and social justice. Through safe spaces, advocacy efforts, and collaborative partnerships, the Alliance amplifies LGBTQ+ voices and addresses systemic challenges. Aspires to be a local thought leader, envisioning a future of human rights protection and thriving community members, the Alliance remains committed to safeguarding the well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals in Chester County and beyond.
U.D.T.J., rooted in its core principles of Understanding, Devotion, Taking Action, and Justice, is committed to fighting for equality and justice across various intersectional identities, including race, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Through a range of initiatives such as community events, service programs, and advocacy efforts, U.D.T.J. endeavors to address systemic inequalities prevalent in Upper Darby, Delaware County, and broader communities.
These LGBTQ centers across Pennsylvania play a crucial role in fostering inclusivity, providing support, and advocating for the rights and well-being of LGBTQ individuals. Each center’s unique programs and services contribute to a broader vision of a world where everyone can live authentically and without fear of discrimination.
Join us in supporting these incredible LGBTQ centers. Whether through donations, volunteering, or spreading the word, your contribution can make a significant impact. Visit your local center's website to learn more about how you can get involved.
Be a part of CenterLink's mission to strengthen, support, and connect LGBTQ community centers worldwide. Take action today by finding the nearest LGBTQ community center in your location and volunteering your time or making a donation. Together, we can make a difference and create a more inclusive and supportive world for everyone.
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