PRIDE CENTER
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
JANUARY 2025
Dear Community,
As we step into 2025, we do so with both heavy hearts and unwavering determination. This time of year offers a moment for reflection—on where we’ve been and where we’re headed. January 6th is a stark reminder of how divided our nation can feel, but it’s also a reminder of the incredible resilience we’ve shown as a community. For us, as queer people, resilience is a familiar path, and it’s one we continue to walk together.
This year, we expect to see federal policies and rhetoric designed to divide us further—policies that target trans youth, attempt to erase our stories, and deflect attention from the systemic issues impacting all Americans. These policies, like the push to ban trans girls from sports, are red herrings. They are not solutions to real problems like childcare shortages, access to affordable healthcare, or the rising cost of living. Instead, they seek to scapegoat our community and exhaust our energy.
But let me be clear: we will not be deterred.
Our community’s strength has always been rooted in our ability to find joy and connection in the face of adversity. The Pride Center, as the longest continuously operating LGBTQ+ community center in the country, is living proof of that resilience. We have faced challenges before, and each time we have not only survived—we have thrived.
This year, we will do more than respond to attacks. We will continue to build spaces that affirm, uplift, and celebrate who we are. From expanding mental health services to launching new youth and senior programs in rural areas, we are doubling down on what truly matters: creating a future where all LGBTQ+ individuals can live with dignity, safety, and joy.
While we know the road ahead may be difficult, we also know that progress is not just a goal—it is a shared commitment. Our power lies in our community, in the allies who stand beside us, and in the unwavering belief that we deserve a world where we can thrive.
So as we step into 2025, I encourage you to hold onto hope. Remember that we are not alone. We are part of a community that has faced incredible odds and come out stronger every time. This year, let’s honor that legacy by continuing to show up for one another, by speaking out against injustice, and by finding moments of joy and connection wherever we can.
Together, we are unstoppable.
Nathaniel Gray, MSW
Executive Director
Pride Center of the Capital Region
LETTER FROM:
THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Pride Center of the Capital Region has long recognized the critical need for accessible, affirming mental health services within the LGBTQIA+ community. Our free mental health care program is a cornerstone of our mission, offering vital support to individuals who often face unique challenges in accessing competent and compassionate care.
Our program serves a diverse population, with a significant portion identifying as transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary (TGNCNB) and spanning the ages of 13-80 years old. These individuals frequently encounter systemic barriers, including discrimination in healthcare settings, lack of provider knowledge, and heightened mental health disparities. By providing free, affirming counseling, we strive to bridge these gaps and foster resilience within our community.
Our commitment to mental health is further demonstrated through the development of our first satellite mental health clinic, in partnership with the First Presbyterian Church. This ADA-compliant space will feature gender-neutral restrooms and elevator access, ensuring accessibility for all community members. With the help of grant funding, we are also expanding our team by hiring an additional social worker to increase the hours of free mental health care we can provide.
By offering these services, we aim to create a supportive environment where all LGBTQIA+ individuals, particularly those who are TGNCNB, can access the care they deserve. Our programs are designed to address the specific needs of our community, providing culturally competent care that acknowledges and affirms each individual's identity.
As we look to the future, we remain steadfast in our commitment to expanding and enhancing our mental health services. We understand that access to affirming mental health care is not just a service but a lifeline for many in our community. Through continued outreach, education, and support, we strive to build a more inclusive and resilient future for all LGBTQIA+ individuals in the Capital Region. We anticipate the space to begin offering services no later than March 1st, 2025.
NEW FREE MENTAL HEALTH CLINIC SPACE
FEATURE STORY:
The orientation will include:
- A social hour to connect with current volunteers, staff, and board members.
- A full demonstration of the volunteer portal, where participants can create profiles, sign up for roles, and complete necessary paperwork.
- Opportunities to join critical programs like youth and senior groups, regional events, and community initiatives.
This platform will support the expansion of our services into new spaces like Proctors Collaborative in Schenectady, where we’ll host a youth group and other programs. By creating a robust network of trained, vetted volunteers, we aim to grow our capacity to serve and uplift the LGBTQ+ community.
Virtual and recorded options for the orientation will be available. Your time and skills are crucial to helping us expand affirming spaces across the region.
EMPOWERING OUR VOLUNTEERS
NEW & NOTEWORTHY:
VIEW OUR EVENT CALENDAR
Check your inbox every Monday!
LOOKING FOR EVENTS?
For LGBTQ+ individuals in rural and suburban areas, safety and inclusion remain significant challenges. Schools are often unsafe for queer youth, and seniors aging in place frequently face discrimination in healthcare and housing. Policies like GENDA and the LGBTQ+ Long-Term Care Bill of Rights have been passed, but without enforcement and operationalization, these protections remain largely symbolic.
The Advocacy Day will focus on ensuring legislators hear directly from the people affected by these gaps. We are advocating for:
- School-Based Protections: Strengthening enforcement of suicide prevention initiatives, anti-bullying laws, and affirming policies in schools.
- Support for Seniors: Ensuring that LGBTQ+ elders have access to affirming care and the resources needed to age in place with dignity.
- Proactive Implementation: Shifting state agencies toward prevention rather than relying on reactive measures like lawsuits to address discrimination.
This work is critical as New York State becomes a haven for LGBTQ+ individuals fleeing unsafe states. Without adequate preparation, local resources will be stretched thin, and we risk failing those who come here seeking refuge. Advocacy is about more than passing laws—it’s about ensuring our policies translate into real protections for all who call New York home.
The Advocacy Day will be preceded by a First Amendment March from Washington Park to the Capitol building, where we will amplify the voices of those who have long been underrepresented. This is a call to action for everyone: youth, seniors, allies, and community leaders. Together, we will advocate for a New York that truly supports its queer residents, regardless of where they live.
FIGHT FOR RURAL AND SUBURBAN VOICES
LGBTQIA+ ADVOCACY DAY AND THE
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT:
Did you know The Pride Center offers FREE mental health counseling and case management? Provided by LGBTQ+-affirming staff and interns, these essential services are open to all LGBTQ+ folks and allies, ages 10 and up. Click HERE to find out more and make an appointment.
FREE COUNSELING & CASE MANAGEMENT
COMMUNITY RESOURCE:
LGBTQ+ resources are not always easy to find in the Capital Region. Making sure that you are provided with safe, competent, and affirming services is something we strive for at The Pride Center. Do you have a physician you love? How about a business that always feels affirming or safe? Please share your LGBTQ+ affirming resources with us HERE!
