On West 13th Street, in the heart of Greenwich Village, is a large yet architecturally insignificant brownstone. It might go unnoticed except for the rainbow flag that hangs three stories above the sidewalk like a sail catching the wind. Inside is a bustling lobby and a sense of kinship. Originally established as a safe space and support center for the LGBTQ community during the 1980s AIDS epidemic, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center ("The Center") became something more. It became a home.
Mission and History
The idea behind the site was to create an inclusive space for one of the city's most oppressed communities. Jeff Klein, The Center's Chief Strategy Officer told 1010 WINS, "There are people that come here to find others, to find community, to find relationships and connection in a state of isolation. There's people who come here to celebrate and have their weddings and birthdays...there's so many stories."
The main goal of The Center is to usher in change. Several LGBTQ social justice groups were founded there, including, ACT UP, GLAAD, and Queer Nation. A notable alumnus of The Center is city councilman Jimmy van Bramer, who was a member of The Center's youth program. Klein told 1010 WINS he "is one of our proudest alumni."
A Walk through the Center
The building is, in its own way, an art exhibit. Contemporary Artist Keith Haring painted the walls of the Center, the images depicted are explicit. Haring was paying homage to those affected by the AIDS crisis. People come from all over to see it.
There are glass doors covered in photographs of historic marches and other events about the fight for equal rights. There are several walls that were deliberately left untouched during renovations to preserve what the center looked like back when it was founded in 1983. A conference room on the first floor contains art by 50 artists who participated in the Center Show in 1989. Wherever you look, the building's art never lets its visitors forget the adversity faced by people in the LGBTQ community.
The Center is open to all; there is no ID or even a membership card needed. All services are free (except for the coffee). The Center continues to be a safe space for people to meet and organize. "Advocacy is in our DNA. To improve the lives of our community is the literal genesis of the organization," Klein said.
The Center's Legacy
According to Klein, "The Center's legacy in New York is the fact that we exist and the fact that we continue to exist and grow and change to reflect the community that we serve. We're really dedicated to continuing to meet the needs of the LGBTQ community as those change. Our legacy is to future generations that our building stands strong, and continues to be a symbol and a place where people can come for support or celebration."
For more information on the Center's WorldPride kick-off Garden Party, click here.
-- Elizabeth Sherwood and Dempsey Pillot
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