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Queens LGBT Center

Our programs and services

Mission

The mission of Q Center is to celebrate and take pride in LGBT identities, care for individuals and groups in need, educate the public about those individuals and groups, address health disparities, build community, and empower all.

Q Center particularly works to help those most underserved through addressing heterosexism, homophobia, and transphobia.

History

The LGBT Network is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is a home and a voice for LGBT people, their families, and support systems of Queens and Long Island.

The LGBT Network’s four community centers help LGBT people to be themselves, stay healthy, and change the world. Since 1993 the LGBT Network has upheld a history of pioneering advocacy and change to promote safe spaces where LGBT people live, learn, work, play, and pray.

On February 1, 2018, the LGBT Network opened the Queens LGBT Community Center (Q-Center) in Long Island City, conveniently located at 37-18 Northern Blvd, to better serve the growing LGBT and ally community in Queens. It has quickly become a hub of activity and community organizing.

Our programs and services

Safe Schools Initiative

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LIGALY’s Safe Schools Initiative offers a broad base of services and programs to help students and staff develop a school culture that fosters support, understanding, and respect for LGBT youth, families, and educators. The Initiative has developed collaborative partnerships with over 100 school districts throughout Nassau and Suffolk.

Programs of the Safe Schools Initiative include workshops for studentstrainings for school staff and administratorsSafe Schools Team#WearTheRibbon National Coming Out Day CampaignGSA SummitsSafe Schools Sticker Campaign and Day of Silence, Night of Noise. The Initiative reaches tens of thousands of Long Islanders each year.

#GetJustice Initiative

The Anti-Violence Project – Long Island (AVP-LI) confronts

violence committed both against and within lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and HIV-Positive communities.

This project serves survivors of all violence, including domestic violence, intimate partner violence, sexual assault, youth dating violence, anti-LGBT and/or anti-HIV hate-motivated violence, harassment, discrimination, elder abuse, and child abuse.  Services are confidential, free of charge, and available for people of all ages.

By providing counseling, support, court/police advocacy and accompaniment, and healing/support groups, the project works to enable people to regain their sense of control, identify their options, and assert their rights. Staff works closely with the Police Department and can assist with filing a report and applying for and obtaining Orders of Protection.  In certain instances when survivors of violence are hesitant to go to the police station, the police department will meet staff advocates and survivors of violence at one of our community centers to file a report.  We also advocate for the attainment of benefits and entitlements, including working with the Department of Social Services, and provides information and referrals to other community-based legal, victim services, emergency housing, mental health services, and any other support services that best suit individual needs. To learn more about the Networks involement with the Suffolk County Domestic Violence (SVDC) Task Force, visit http://scafv.suffolkcountyny.gov

If you or someone you know has experienced or is currently experiencing any type of violence, bullying, harassment, or discrimination, please call the HelpLine at 631-665-2300.  You can also report the incident of violence using this online reporting form. The personal information entered in the form is confidential and will not be shared with anyone else without your permission.

In addition to providing victim services support and advocacy on an individual, local, community, and state level, LIGALY leads a national technical assistance effort, along with the Los Angeles LGBT Community Center and CenterLink, to provide intensive and ongoing training to LGBT Centers around the country in order to enhance the overall national capacity to provide culturally sensitive services to LGBT survivors of domestic violence, intimate partner violence, and sexual assault.

#GetJustice Youth Summit

The Long Island Trans Experience (LITE) provides social support services to transgender and gender non-conforming people of all ages, as well as their families, friends, and loved ones. LITE fosters an environment of energetic, diverse, and understanding individuals who are free to express themselves and develop personal growth in their identities.

For more information call 631.665.2300 or programs@lgbtnetwork.org

HIV Testing & STI Screening

LIGALY’s Community Education Program

Since 1993, LIGALY has worked with schools, colleges and universities, and health and human service providers to educate the community about the needs and experiences of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students. Over 13,000 people participate in our educational programs each year!

All students need to feel safe in their learning environments. Educators and school staff need to feel empowered to put an end to bullying and harassment in their schools.  Health and human service providers need cultural proficiency to best serve all of their clients.  LIGALY’s Community Education program addresses these needs through our interactive, dynamic presentations.  We provide workshops and trainings for K-12 and university students, school faculty and administrators, and others in the education field.

A few of our most popular workshops:

Creating Safer Schools for LGBT Young People

Audience: Faculty and School Staff, Education Students

This workshop is intended for Elementary, Intermediate, Middle, Junior and

Senior High School staff interested in learning about sexual orientation, the

challenges facing lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth, and

how to create a safe and supportive school environment.

LGBT 101

Audience: College Students

In this workshop, we will create a basic overview of sexual orientation and

gender identity as well as their social constructions. A discussion of

heterosexism, homophobia, and transphobia will also be presented.

Growing Up Gay and Lesbian

Audience: Students Grades 7-12, College Students

This interactive workshop addresses stereotypes, sexual orientation,

homophobia, inappropriate use of the word, “gay,” and how students can create

a safe and supportive school climate.

Creating a Supportive Helping Environment

Audience: Health and Human Service Providers – All Staff Levels

This training assists health and human services providers in becoming aware of

the needs of GLBT individuals, and how to provide culturally appropriate and

sensitive services. Issues facing LGBT individuals, LGBT-headed families,

sexually transmitted diseases and HIV will be discussed.

View the entire Workshops & Trainings Catalog >>

Sign up for workshops:

LIGALY receives dozens of requests for speakers each week from community

organizations in Nassau and Suffolk counties.  To best ensure that we can

accommodate your needs, please schedule a workshop or training as far in

advance as possible.  A minimum of four weeks is suggested. To request a

workshop or training, Check out our Workshop and Training catalog to find the best workshop for your audience.

Click here to view the full workshop and training catalog (PDF).

Identify the date and time you are interested in, as well as alternate dates in case

we can’t accommodate your first request.

Fill out our workshop and training request form and provide as much information as possible. A staff member will be in touch within 1-3 business days to confirm the workshop or training.

Senior Mingles

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Youth Drop-In

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PrEP Enrollment

The LGBT Network relies on the support of their many volunteers to serve Long Island’s LGBT community. As a volunteer, you will join the ranks of other kind, compassionate, generous, hardworking individuals who have affected tremendous and far-reaching change for our community.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please fill out this application. This is not an employment form; the information being requested in this application enables The Network to continue to provide a safe space for the LGBT community and its allies. It will also help to better match you with a volunteer position that best utilizes your time, skills and interests.

Please fill out all the information to the best of your ability. Certain items are marked as optional, so if you do not feel comfortable sharing that information, you may leave it blank.

All information disclosed is kept strictly confidential.

For more information, call 631.665.2300 or email info@lgbtnetwork.org

Community Education

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Community Space Rental

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Sexual & Reproductive Justice

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How your can help

The LGBT Network relies on the support of their many volunteers to serve Long Island’s LGBT community. As a volunteer, you will join the ranks of other kind, compassionate, generous, hardworking individuals who have affected tremendous and far-reaching change for our community.