San Francisco LGBT Community Center

The San Francisco LGBT Community Center grew out of a community planning process initiated in 1993. The goal was to provide a permanent space nurturing nonprofits and providing programs to end isolation for Bay Area Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) people, while providing a model for other communities across the globe.

         Our mission is to provide space and programs that welcome the LGBT community and its allies; unite the San Francisco LGBT community across lines of age, race, gender and economics; give visibility to the history, culture, and diversity of our LGBT community; organize and plan the political and cultural future for our LGBT community; and nurture new organizations and programs to meet emerging community needs.

      Our vision is a LGBT community united by common values, while respecting each of our unique individual experiences. By strategically connecting individuals and institutions we empower those most impacted by discrimination. By developing broad leadership we inspire our community to reach its full potential. By celebrating our history we help insure a better future for all people.

Today the Center has active partnerships with over 70 community organizations. We host over 100 programs weekly and serve to over 9,000 individuals monthly. We provide leadership that brings the community together to work on issues of civil rights, public policy and community activism, tackling problems of discrimination, homophobia and disenfranchisement. Whether the occasion is a community celebration or mourning, such as passage of marriage equality or the murder of 15-year-old Larry King, the Center is the one place that the entire community gathers for support.

Direct programming is designed to serve those community members most in need, including youth, job seekers, children and families, city newcomers, women and the transgender community. We have successfully piloted ground-breaking programs in economic development, health and wellness, and youth services. These services help ensure the survival of many members of the LGBT community, including those least able to find acceptance in mainstream culture. Programs areas include:

   * Economic Development. We pioneered programs to support sustainable employment and business practices for LGBT individuals and small businesses.
   * Health and Wellness. In addition to HIV/AIDS prevention and city newcomer programs, we provide over 10,000 information referrals each year, connecting individuals to over 500 regional LGBT services.
   * Children, Youth and Family. We provide childcare services to LGBT families six days a week. Over 300 youth annually receive leadership development, job training, queer youth prom, and for marginally housed youth, free meals.
   * Community and Policy Initiatives. We support several community-led initiatives, such as Center Women Present. We facilitate and lead local organizing around civic issues, such as marriage equality and employment protection.
   * Arts and Culture. 8 annual visual and performing arts showcases, as well as collaborations designed to increase the visibility of LGBT artists and public access cultural activities.
   * Building Facilities . Open six days a week, events range from 12-step meetings to town halls to readings and lectures. The Cyber Center provides free access to computer programs and the Internet. We are home to 13 LGBT nonprofits. Rental spaces serve groups ranging from 10 to 400 in size.

The Center plays an important role as physical and spiritual home for LGBT culture and is vital to the ultimate survival of our identity as a community.