The Center

It’s a very nice updated space. Although I hadn’t been here before, per friends, this used to be quite old and grungy. Now it’s shiny and new!
When you walk into the lobby, there is a display that has the various events and specific locations so that is very helpful. It seems like a great resource for the community.

One thing I love about it is the Pat Parker/​Vito Russo Center Library. It’s very nice and there are lots of LGBTQ books to borrow. The librarians that have assisted me so far have been very resourceful! I just feel like they should try and increase the library hours. They open 6:00pm-9:00pm from Tuesdays to Thursdays and 12:00pm-4:00pm on Saturdays. Another thing I love about this place is the wide variety of groups available to the public. The third thing I love about The Center is the game you can play when you want to tip: you choose between Fantasy and Real Life. The last time I came here, I chose Fantasy and it felt nice. One thing I have to get used to is the all-​gender restroom. They’re clean, but it’s a bit awkward to use them. However, I can see the benefit. Their customer service is good. I haven’t encountered a rude receptionist. Such things are inevitable, but I’m glad everyone has been nice so far. It’s a good place. I leave feeling happy that I came.

For those that need an education about how all-​gender bathrooms work for everyone. Label both rooms as all-​gender and put 3 stalls in 1 and stalls and perhaps a urinal in the other. People gravitate to the one that makes them most comfortable. To use… Select a stall or urinal that is Not yet occupied and least «unhealthy» to your own standards. Then you enter and you pee or poop where you are most comfortable. The sinks and mirrors are ideal for hand washing, hygiene, make-​up and of course selfies. Being cordial in the restroom assures mutual respect. Say hi or nothing at all but be polite and everyone should be able to do their private business just fine. Without incident. #letmypeoplepee #transgender #transvisibility #translivesmatter #genderproud

This Center is an empowerment place for The entire LGBT Community. It has many different programs ranging from Youth services to Senior Services. The building has a huge rainbow flag in the front and the inside has four levels. The building is very wheel chair accessible, their is a elevator. NYC LBGT community go check it out, I’m sure you will find something helpful!

Came here with my roommate for Argentinian Tango few years ago. Cool place yo.

Recently, since my friend has been gender-​transitioning, I’ve visited the Center to attend the Trans Families & Friends drop-​in support group (first Wednesday of each month, 7:30 — 9:00). I learn a lot and share a lot with others. Each of our transgender loved ones is a unique person in a particular stage of life with their own circumstances and priorities, so we have a variety of information and points of view to share. The group is facilitated by two staff members. After brief introductions, people can talk on any topic they choose or ask the group a question, and anyone can freely contribute to the conversation. I highly recommend this group as a starting point and ongoing resource for anyone who has a transgender loved one. And it’s a great place to meet other local people who understand our concerns, since our own circle of friends might not «get» it. Also happening at the same time is a group for Trans Partners. And while we friends, family and partners are at our groups, our loved ones are at either the Masculine Spectrum group or Feminine Spectrum group. It means so much to our trans loved ones that we want to gain more understanding about their transition and support them in every way we can.
The trans support groups are only a tiny portion of all that is offered at the Center. There are cultural programs, theater & film, book discussions, dance socials, LGBT library and history archive, a senior program, 12 Steps groups, youth groups, etc. It’s an amazing place.

I love the fact that there is a place like this in the city. I have met a few new friends here. attending certain group events. The events that I attended is lgbt 20’s somethings, bisexual support groups… This place made me feel like I am not alone.
I am happy this is a place that has many events geared all towards lgbt related things. I will continue to attend events at this center. I would to continue to make new friends here also.

So the LGBT Community Center is a very resourceful community structure for all Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender folks and our «open minded/​hetero» allies.
The center is a must know for all LBGT of the tri state, because whether transgenders are at thier begining stages and they may need help, or have questions, or whether there is an issue of discrimination some gay kids may not know thier rights or that there are people that will help them get justice.
Its very big inside with a bunch of different rooms for rent for rehearsal, or classes or seminars. Ive participated in all types of events here. If you need rehearsal or meeting space this is somewhere to denifinitely consider. As you walk in at the front desk kiosk, lined by condoms and brochures with knowledgeable staff behind it.
Theyve held dances, balls, and galas. I persinally have taken some of thier photo, production, language and dance classes. They also have held wrestling classes and jiu jitsu practices. I took those too! It’s quite wonderful this place exists.
The center is greatly helpful in many ways and for a number of reasons.
Its not only a place where you can go and be yourself, its a place where you can get support, pick up a trade or skill, make new friends, and become a better you.

a great resource … a wonderful place to get your LGBT needs met — again and again

The NYC LGBT Community Center is literally the center of the world for all Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender folks and our «Straight-​But-​Not-​Narrow» allies.
In some ways living here and being queer we don’t realize how lucky we are to have this great resource. It has play groups for our kids + support groups for their mommies + daddies too; after-​school + summer-​school programs for tweens + teens; meet and greet programs for 20-​somethings; groups for every conceivable interest from chess to square dancing; groups for seniors + their caretakers; the list goes on and on.
If you EVER doubt how lucky we are to have it AND how central it is to all our lives just try to help out a straight friend with some sort of crisis. We can ALWAYS «just call the Center» and someone, somewhere will direct us to the right services. But str8 people? They have to navigate all of NYC’s bureaucracy alone with no help or guidance.
We are spoiled, we know it and we all *heart* the Center for making it so.

The Center will always hold a squishy place in my chocolate center. It was the place where I got my first job out of college and the people I met there were key in helping me through the emotion of coming out to my parents. This place is essential for any lgbt person or people who want to support them. They have great programs for gay and questioning youth, terrific mental health programs, and there are bazillions of support groups and fun events. The Center really is the center and is essential in the history of the NY gay community. Many crucial organizations have gotten their start from meeting here: Unity Fellowship Church, ACT-​UP, Queer Nation, the LGBT Anti-​Violence Project, the Lesbian Avengers and onward. As much I as love the Center, I tend to think of it as a jumping off place before you move on and discover other parts of the New York lgbt universe. It’s like a place for the general overview. But so essential.

For any gay person visiting or moving to NYC, this is the first stop to make. Located conveniently between the West Village and Chelsea, the LGBT Center is home to news, information, groups, clubs, and a fantastic library, The Pat Parker /​Vito Russo Center Library. The Library has the largest collection of LGBT titles in NYC. You can even browse their collection online:

The Center offers rooms and space for rent for groups and events enriching the LGBT community, including social groups, cultural events, panel discussions and recovery (12 step) groups.
My partner introduced me to the Center couple of years back and we’ve both become regular patrons of their services. When sheand I first moved to NYC, the Center was there as a wonderful, supportive environment. She got involved with a number of groups as a volunteer, advertised her services in the Center’s bulletin board and made some good friends through the place. The LGBT Center in NYC is a model that other such centers throughout the world should get their inspiration from.

Located in what was once the Food and Maritime Trades High School (which presumably trained chefs to sail the high seas, or sailors how to cook), the center serves as home to more than three hundred groups — from A Danish, A Dame, A Date (for single lesbians aged 40+) to the Zappalorti Society (psychiatric survivors seeking peer support) — that meet here on a regular basis. Under one roof you’ll find counseling and social services, cultural and recreational activities, twelve-​step groups, volunteer programs, a library, museum, and cyber center. They also sponsor lectures, game nights, holiday parties, book discussions, potluck dinners, dances, and the like. This highly successful operation should serve as the role model for similar organizations everywhere.