Overview
Headquarters
New Haven, Connecticut
Category
Civic & Social Organization
Center’s Mission: The purpose of New Haven Pride Center, formerly the New Haven Gay and Lesbian Community Center, is to provide educational, cultural and social enrichment for the LGBTQ+ community, its allies, and members, to make a positive contribution to the entire community of Greater New Haven. History of the Center: The New Haven Pride Center dates back to 1993, when a group of activists attempted to get domestic partnership approved by the Board of Aldermen of New Haven. Similar to Hartford’s legislation, this would have allowed same-sex couples to symbolically register their relationships in a public forum. At the time the Board of Aldermen didn’t approve the legislation. Following this civil rights loss, New Haven Pride Center founder John D. Allen, Ed.D. conducted a needs assessment for the regional gay community as part of his graduate thesis at Southern Connecticut State University. His survey revealed a vibrant regional gay culture of dozens of gay and gay-friendly groups, this influenced him to want to create a single space for gathering, meeting, and organizing. On May 27, 1996, the center was officially incorporated, and on November 17, 1996 the center opened its doors to the community for the first time. Since its founding, the New Haven Pride Center has worked hard to create a safe space within the Greater New Haven community for support groups, LGBTQ+ programming, advocacy work, and activism.
