Earlier this month, in response to the untimely and tragic passing of O’Shae Sibley, The Center shared the following:

O’Shae Sibley, a 28-year-old Black gay man and dancer, was tragically and incomprehensibly murdered over the weekend in Brooklyn. Sibley’s murder is one in a dangerous pattern of targeted, hate-fueled acts of violence against LGBTQ+ people happening across the country, which Black LGBTQ+ people disproportionately experience.

We are outraged by Sibley’s murder and join New York City’s LGBTQ+ community in mourning the loss of a beloved community member who was celebrated for his many talents and advocacy.

At The Center, we know it’s not enough to only cultivate safe and affirming spaces within the confines of our building. Black, queer people deserve to live freely and have the right to experience joy in all spaces. We stand for a world that celebrates the creativity and expression of us all. We demand justice for O’Shae and will continue to advocate for meaningful protections for LGBTQ+ New Yorkers, especially those forced to navigate multiple systems that perpetuate harm.

Thursday, September 21

We’re ready to rise and we’re ready to act! Join the RiseOut Action Team for our kickoff event and info session! In this meeting, you can learn more about our in-house advocacy group, meet current members, and get involved in planning advocacy campaigns that advance LGBTQ+-affirming policies in New York State. We can’t wait to see you there!

Sign up to join the RiseOut Team

Seth Marnin, the first openly trans male judge in the U.S., was sworn in as the newest addition to the New York Court of Claims right here at The Center on August 14th. Governor Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James, and other state leaders attended the historic event. At a time when queer rights are under more attack than ever, it’s essential that we see more LGBTQ+ people on the bench and in legal decisionmaking roles.

Read more about the event

Deadline: October 28

Are you registered and ready to vote in the General Election on November 7th? Voting is one important tool to make progress on the issues that matter and ensure New York State continues to progress towards LGBTQ+ equity. The more of us who participate, the stronger our democracy. Be sure to register to vote by October 28 and keep a lookout for more important voter information from The Center.

Check your voter registration or register to vote for the first time

The curtains are up on our new website, which just got its first full overhaul in a decade! We wanted to build a website that was more accessible, that told a fuller and more accurate story of what we do, and that helped us build stronger relationships with The Center’s community. Art by Kah Yangni, a Black trans artist based in Philadelphia, invokes the mood, architecture, and spirit of New York City all throughout the new site.

Visit the new site to learn more about what went into redesigning it with community in mind.