The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center — Local services in New York

Have tried asking the center for help on three different occasions and have been left with no assistance. When I asked for help with counseling, I was lead down a string of emails that lead me to no one. When I was about to end up on the street, the center had no resources to provide. Gilberto told me he’d personally try to help my family find housing when we were in dire circumstances and I never heard from him again. Over half of the homeless population identifies as LGBTQIA2S+ and you don’t have anything to offer houseless queer people? Why have a giant empty office building in one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Manhattan if you don’t house people or help people in the community. I called to ask about case management help today and they do not have more access or resources than a regular civilian, so I do not know why they are offering help when they are not even in a position of authority to do so. Gilberto literally told me they do not have the experience to do serious case management. Anyone can apply for benefits on HRA themselves and you need to use your money, power, and resources to directly help people, not just employee people, upkeep an office, and collect donations that queer people never see or reap the benefits from. The people that work are are unqualified and do not help. Why does this center even exist. I’d really like to know. There are literally ZERO places for queer people to actually get help, especially in one of the most diverse cities in the world. Do better. Or anything at...

Happy World AIDS Day! Great place, great Atmosphere. The only issue I have with the Center is unless you buy a Coffee at the Coffee shop, there is not much room for the community to hang out such as lounges, cosy spaces and dropins like you would find in Canada. I think it can be a little intimidating. I came once for a coffee and there was no sitting available, I then went all over this gigantic place and all I saw was empty rooms, not available to public and been told it’s to rent. About the programs, it seems the Manhattan LGBT community is very Senior and adult proof, with most of the programs dedicated to youth. I think the LGBT center of New York City could be much more. So far, I don’t see much difference with Starbucks. I don’t see any displays of brochures or any variety in the intake to adjust to people diversities. If I was homeless, I probably would come in and go out in the second feeling a bit overwhelmed to be in a Capital One Café like environment. Where are the hearts and flags on the wall and all that? Here’s my take for the day. Love.

Also, it’s world AIDS Day. A big ribbon on the wall, perhaps,...

Yesterday, 4/20/2024, was the Rainbow Book Fair at the LGBTQ Center in Greenwich Village, Manhattan. While I was glad to see some old friends, meet fellow authors and even see some of the tenants from the building where I work as a doorman, who came out to support me, I can honestly say it was the worst book fair I ever participated in. One of my friends said I looked very under-whelmed when he came to my table. That was the understatement. The book fair was very unorganized, I heard that the seating listing did not match where authors were actually seated, and the elevator was out of order, causing book vendors, including me, to have to carry our boxes and luggages filled with books up three flights of stairs. The elevator being out of order also caused us authors on the upper floors to lose sales because many perspective customers did not want to climb the stairs. I doubt I will ever participate in this event again, seeing as in the past I sold many copies of my books, whereas yesterday my sales were very minimal. Despite all of this though, I will NEVER...