Dear John,
The outcome of the 2024 presidential election poses a significant threat to the health, safety, and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ New Yorkers. The incoming administration’s history of homophobic and transphobic policies is not just rhetoric—it is a promise of renewed challenges and hardships. At The NYC LGBT Community Center, we know what is at stake. The election results puts our hard-won rights at risk and threatens the public funding we need to serve thousands of LGBTQ+ people each year.
And those services are critical in the days ahead. We are seeing it already: In the days since the election, we’ve seen increased requests for counseling services, increased participation in our support groups, and more people visiting our building in need of safe spaces. Will you help us meet these demands and protect the heart of our community today?
For over 40 years, The Center has been a place of hope, a safe haven, and a source of strength for LGBTQ+ New Yorkers. Today, as the landscape becomes more threatening, that strength will be tested like never before.
The truth is nearly a third of our revenue comes from public funding, and without that support, The Center will struggle to meet the surge in demand for our services. This includes vital mental health support, safe meeting spaces, and essential advocacy work that keeps our community connected and resilient in the face of adversity. We must act now to sustain and scale our efforts to protect the most vulnerable among us. We cannot do this alone. Your gift, no matter the amount, is as necessary as ever! It is a declaration of your commitment to standing with us and with every LGBTQ+ person who relies on The Center as a lifeline.
This community has faced immense challenges before, and we have always emerged stronger—because we did it together. Please donate now to be part of the movement that will safeguard our future.
This community has always risen to the occasion, and with your support, we will face the days ahead united and resilient. Thank you for standing with us.
In solidarity and hope,
Dr. Carla Smith, CEO
The NYC LGBT Community Center
PS: If you are seeking support during this time, please visit gaycenter.org/support to find a Center program or resource that’s right for you. Visit gaycenter.org/calendar for a full list of events taking place at The Center.
Even More Ways to Support The Center:
- Donor Advised Funds: You can now easily give to The Center through your donor advised fund (DAF) account in just 3 clicks—including through Fidelity, Schwab, Vanguard, and hundreds of other DAF providers.
- Give Monthly: By making monthly donations to The Center, you show a meaningful commitment that fuels our work year-round and creates a source of funding we can rely on.
- Create Your Will: Many thoughtful people have included The Center as a beneficiary in their estate plan by using their free access to Giving Docs, an online platform to easily create your will, or by searching “The LGBT Community Center NYC” on FreeWill.
- Matching Gifts: Over 65% of companies match their employees’ donations, magnifying the impact of their gift. Contact your HR department to learn whether your company has a matching gifts relationship with The Center. Email [email protected] with questions.
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