Gay and Lesbian Community Center in Gainesville

Gay and Lesbian Community Center in Gainesville
November/December 2002

In March of this year the doors opened to Pride Community Center of North Central Florida (PCCNCF) at 1107 NW 6th Street in Gainesville.

Planned and organized as a safe space for gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered persons in North Central Florida, the center has been a product of ongoing community effort over the last two years.

Since opening in March, PCCNcF has initiated a whole spectrum of programs and held social events and fundraisers at the drop-in center. Several community groups meet monthly at the center, and Planned Parenthood is doing free anonymous HIV testing there twice a month. PCCNCF has taken responsibility for the Gay Switchboard and begun a library of LGBT resources and a community archive project.

Interns from various disciplines at the University have helped PCCNCF develop community resources. The center is also providing a series of educational workshops and seminars and meeting space for progressive organizations in this area.

The center is open from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and on Saturdays from Noon until 4:00 p.m. Those are also the new hours of the Gay Switchboard.

The center is entirely supported by memberships and donations from the community and is launching a campaign to increase membership and achieve financial stability. As with any non-profit organization, the center also needs volunteers to take active roles in the necessary planning and organization for center programs and events, and to help staff the center. Membership dues are $25 a year or membership can be earned through volunteer hours.

The membership rewards program can quickly earn the member discounts greater than $25. For more information call the center at 352-377-8915, check out the website at: pridecommunitycenter.org or send an e-mail to: gvillecommcenter@aol.com.