The Center

    Our programs and services

    Mission

    The mission of The 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 Long Islanders.

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

    History

    When Long Island Gay and Lesbian Youth opened its first Center a 2nd floor walk-up space on Main Street in Bay Shore, the excitement amongst the Long Island community was great.

    When LIGALY moved to a larger space a few blocks away in 2003, a number of groups immediately began requesting to utilize the space for their meetings. During that time, the demand from the community for programs and services for people age 21 and over, as well as resources for people of color and the transgender community, was growing dramatically.

    The Long Island LGBT Community Center was formed in 2005 to address these needs and be a home and safe space for all. Since its creation, The Center has expanded programs and services for traditionally underserved minority groups while building community across the LGBT spectrum.

    Our programs and services

    CARE Support Services

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    Supportive Counseling and Group Services

    LGBT-affirming supportive counseling and crisis intervention services for individuals, couples, and families. Sliding scale fee for adults.  Free for youth.  Call 631.665.2300 (Suffolk) or 516.323.0011 for more information.

    HELP Line

    Need help? Need someone to talk to? Looking for some information or a referral to an LGBT-affirming provider? Call our community centers at 631.665.2300 or 516.323.0011 for crisis intervention, referrals for LGBT-affirming services, and information. Hours of operation are Monday-Thursday, 9am-9pm, and Friday, 9am-12am.

    Support Groups

    Groups provide support through guided topic discussions. Current groups include:

     

    Anti-Violence Project – Long Island

    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.

    Make a Report

     

    Youth Support Group

    LIGALY’s Youth Support Group is a place to be yourself and share what’s on your mind.

    Come share your thoughts and concerns and listen to your peers while building a strong network of support as you experience life growing up LGBT or as an ally on Long Island. This informal discussion and support group is a safe-space, so no topic is off limits and all members must agree to respect your confidentiality.

     

    The Youth Support Group is a place to:

    • Talk about relationships, friendships, and family.
    • Share your experiences from school, from home, or from work.
    • Build a strong support system of people your age.
    • Speak openly and freely about what’s on your mind.
    • Find out more about yourself and others and their experiences on Long Island.

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

    Parent Support Group

    The Parent Support Group provides social and supportive discussions for parents of LGBT children of all ages. This is a place to share, listen, and be heard. We create an informal space to meet other parents on Long Island in all stages of learning and growing with the knowledge that your child is gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender.

    Excited to share with other parents, Christine, a parent of a 17 year old, has been attending the Parents Group at The Center at Bay Shore since October 2011. Christine believes that “for every scared and unsure child there is a scared and unsure parent as well.” If you are a parent of a LGBT youth, no matter what your emotions, this discussion group is for you.

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

     

    SWANS

    SWANS is a discussion group held in a supportive atmosphere for lesbian, bisexual, and transgender women as well as women questioning their identity. SWANS is a place where women can come and make friends, talk about women’s issues, get support from other women, feel safe, laugh, and have fun. If you would like to recommend a topic, there will be a suggestion box where you can “drop your topic”

    SWAN meets every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month.

    Please note that SWANS is a program of SAGE-LI, which is an organization that serves older adults 50+, but adult women of all ages are welcome to attend!

     

    Senior Focus Group

    You asked for it, you got it! SAGE-LI members and the SAGE-LI Advisory Board requested a topic-based discussion group open to men and women that didn’t interfere with the casual conversation of the Monday Mingle. So, join us at these monthly coed peer-led discussion groups immediately follow the Monday Mingle to share your thoughts on topics.

    These discussions are led by SAGE-LI volunteer, Roberta K, who has extensive experience in running groups. However, she cannot do it alone, so be sure to show up, share your thoughts, and help decide the topic for the following month’s discussion group.

    For more information, call 631-665-2300 or email programs@sageli.org

     

    SAGE-LI Friendly Visitor Program

    Did you know that 60% of LGBT older adults live and age along, putting them at risk for social isolation and health problems? The SAGE-LI Friendly Visitor Program is a service provided to reduce isolation and increase socialization for LGBT older adults who are homebound, at nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or any other senior facility, and unable to attend SAGE-LI services at the Centers.

    If you are a homebound LGBT older adult and would like to seek these services, or if you are someone who would like to volunteer for the Friendly Visitor Program by visiting individuals at their residence, please call 631.665.2300 or email programs@sageli.org.

    It is a great way to get involved and give back to the community!

     

    Social Work Internship Program

    Social work graduate students receive placement with The LGBT Network from the top area colleges and universities.

    For more information or to request services, call 631.665.2300 or email counseling@lgbtnetwork.org.

    Anti-Violence Project

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    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.

    LI Trans Experience

    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

    Workshops & Trainings

    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.

    HIV/STI Services

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    Early Intervention Services

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    Get Involved

    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

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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.

    Volunteer