The Brooklyn Community Pride Center was founded both in celebration of the diverse lives and experiences of the LGBT community of Brooklyn, and in direct response to profound community need.

For many LGBT individuals, there are unique pressures involved in the expression of our sexual orientation and gender identities. Addressing our complex biological, psychological, and social needs within the context of institutionalized homophobia can serve as a tremendous challenge, particularly for those who are facing disadvantages in housing, employment, recognition of intimate relationships and other functional areas. The Brooklyn Community Pride Center’s purpose is to provide support and services to the community, alone or in partnership with existing organizations, with the intention of filling existing gaps in services and strengthening the web of support, borough-wide.

Demographic information published by the Williams Institute in April 2008 indicates that approximately 6,998 same-sex couples reside in Brooklyn, NY. After Manhattan (9,886 couples), Brooklyn contains the highest density of same-sex couples in New York City. The census does not measure the number of same-sex “unmarried partners,” nor the sexual orientation or gender identity of single respondents. However, following the traditional “one in ten” convention, approximately 250,882 of Brooklyn’s 2,508,820 would be potentially lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender individuals of various socio-economic, ethnic, racial and religious backgrounds. Currently no hub of consolidated services for Brooklyn’s LGBT community exists.

Assessing Community Need

Based on our 2010 Community Need Assessment Survey, we know that a large number of LGBT Brooklynites are also interested in educational events, social gatherings, cultural programs, and opportunities to become involved in political or advocacy work. We invite you to take a look at our calendar of events and see what BCPC has to offer!

BCPC’s Progress To Date

BCPC is in the process of identifying a site to house programming and provide a physical space for our community. Because of this, we are moving forward with the development of programming for 2010-2011 that does not require a dedicated space, and will instead be utilizing our offices and the facilities at Brooklyn Borough Hall, as well as other spaces donated for this purpose by community organizations. At present, BCPC offers programs and events for the LGBT community including Community Education Panels, Legal Clinics, Financial Planning Forums, Peer Support Services, and Social Events.

The Brooklyn Community Pride Center recently acquired a satellite site at the nearby Urban Assembly School for Law & Justice on Adams Street where the after-school teen drop-in center is operated. An active search for a permanent home in downtown Brooklyn is underway and nearly concluded, with $2 million in pledged capital funding from Borough President Marty Markowitz and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn.