Happy New Year! If we haven’t yet had the chance to meet, I’m Carla and I’m proud to represent The NYC LGBT Community Center as its CEO. As I near the end of my first year in this role, I am truly grateful to do this work alongside such extraordinary people. The Center’s community—inside and outside our walls—is so special. And during the holidays, I cherish the chance to come together and share our merriment. Especially now, I’m thankful for Center supporters, like you.

As we grapple with deep anxiety over the shifting political landscape and fears for our rights as LGBTQ+ people, I am resolute in my commitment to ensuring that The Center stands as a beacon of hope, providing LGBTQ+ New Yorkers with the vital resources they need to lead healthy and successful lives.

Our story is one of deep struggle. I know it is also one of great resilience and courage. Especially during challenging and uncertain times, LGBTQ+ joy is an act of resistance. When I enter The Center and hear laughter from youth in our after-school programs, applause roaring from a cultural event in our auditoriums, music booming at our weekly voguing classes, or chatter from everyday visitors catching up in our garden, I am restored. These moments happen because of community members like you.

Right now, demand for our services is growing—more people are seeking counseling, joining support groups, and visiting our safe spaces. To meet this need, we need you with us. Will you help us meet these demands and protect the heart of our community and make a 100% tax-deductible donation to The Center before the clock strikes midnight?

Together, we’ll continue protecting and uplifting the heart of our community. You’re an essential part of who we are. Thank you.

Resolutely,

Dr. Carla Smith, CEO