# Where to find your community: LGBTQ+ centers, groups and food

Source: https://www.qaravan.org/resources/lgbtq/community-centers/

LGBTQ+ centers in every borough: groups for adults and immigrants, computers, food, sports and centers for older adults.

QARAVAN is not part of these centers: we list them to help you find your people.

## Start here

- Free computers and food at Brooklyn Community Pride Center: the Cyber Center during opening hours and a food pantry on the third Thursday of the month.
- Choose a center in your borough.
- Groups at The LGBTQ+ Center need a short registration; no insurance needed; groups are in English and Spanish.

## Where to start

1. Choose a center near you There are LGBTQ+ centers in every borough: check what the nearest one offers and when it is open.
2. Find out what language the group meets in Groups at The LGBTQ+ Center are in English and Spanish, for LGBTQ+ adults 18 and older. If English is still hard for you, ask staff whether a group will work for you.
3. Complete the brief registration Before your first group at The LGBTQ+ Center, fill in the short registration on the Social Groups page at [gaycenter.org](https://gaycenter.org). Staff ask about your interests and match you with a group. No insurance needed. Groups are led by trained facilitators; they are not treatment or therapy.
4. Keep the group cycles in mind Groups meet in fall and spring cycles, and registration opens before each one. If a cycle has started, ask anyway: the center will help you join if it can.
5. Come without any pressure to speak No one will push you to share more than you're ready to: you can listen and take part as you like. You can sign up for several groups at once.
6. Look in on QARAVAN events too QARAVAN is a community of LGBTQ+ immigrants, asylum seekers and allies, with events and a group chat. Schedule at [qaravan.org](https://www.qaravan.org/).

## Which center to choose

LGBTQ+ centers by borough

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## More about the centers

- The LGBTQ+ Center A center in Manhattan: groups, The Bureau Cafe, the Pat Parker/Vito Russo Library, The Bureau queer bookstore, 12-step meetings. Free help for immigrants and anonymous HIV and STI tests. [gaycenter.org](https://gaycenter.org/) 208 W 13 St, New York, NY 10011 building: Mon–Sat 8 am–10 pm, Sun 8 am–8 pm
- Brooklyn Community Pride Center (BCPC) By its own account, the only LGBTQ+ center in Brooklyn; it is in Crown Heights, inside the Major Owens Community Center. Programs: arts and culture, civic engagement, immigrant help, mental health, sports and fitness, support groups, services for trans and gender-nonconforming people. Most programs are free, the center says. [lgbtbrooklyn.org](https://www.lgbtbrooklyn.org/pridecenter) 1561 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11225 Mon–Thu 12–5 pm
- Destination Tomorrow An LGBTQ+ center in the Bronx: HIV tests, housing referrals, support groups for trans women and transmasculine people (assigned female at birth and living as men or closer to male), diversity training for organizations. Walk in; last visitor at 5 pm. [destinationtomorrow.org](https://destinationtomorrow.org/services) 452 E 149th St, 3rd floor, Bronx, NY 10455 Mon–Fri 10 am–6 pm, last client accepted at 5 pm
- Pride Center of Staten Island An LGBTQ+ center on Staten Island: support groups, behavioral health care, case management, HIV prevention, legal resources. Programs: Youth Services (ages 13–24) and Golden Rainbow (50 and older). [pridecentersi.org](https://www.pridecentersi.org/) 66 Willow Ave, Suite 202, Staten Island, NY 10305 Wed 10 am–6 pm, Thu 10 am–8 pm, Fri–Sat 10 am–6 pm (closed Sun–Tue)
- Queens Center for Gay Seniors A Queens Community House (QCH) program for older LGBTQ+ adults in Jackson Heights, at the Jewish Center for Jackson Heights, Mon–Fri 10 am–4:30 pm. Low-cost breakfasts and lunches, free transportation both ways, art and writing classes, exercise (yoga, Zumba, chair aerobics). Free: English classes (ESOL), immigrant help, housing help and eviction prevention. Questions: info@qchnyc.org. [qchnyc.org](https://www.qchnyc.org/qcgs) 37-06 77th St, Jackson Heights, NY 11372 Mon–Fri 10 am–4:30 pm

## Groups at The LGBTQ+ Center

- LGBTQ+ Immigrants United A group for LGBTQ+ immigrants; online in the third week of the month. [gaycenter.org](https://gaycenter.org/support/social-groups/) 208 W 13 St, New York, NY 10011 Thu 6–7:30 pm Eastern
- Journeys A peer support group about coming out: members share experience and learn what helps. A prior intake is required. Online in the fourth week of the month. [gaycenter.org](https://gaycenter.org/support/social-groups/) 208 W 13 St, New York, NY 10011 Mon 6–7:30 pm
- Thriving Together A group for LGBTQ+ people living with HIV. [gaycenter.org](https://gaycenter.org/support/social-groups/) 208 W 13 St, New York, NY 10011 Tue 6:30–8 pm
- Good Grief A group for people who are grieving, Wednesday evenings. [gaycenter.org](https://gaycenter.org/support/social-groups/) 208 W 13 St, New York, NY 10011 Wed 6:30–8 pm
- Other groups in the cycle The cycle also has Stories, Harmonies and Voices for trans and nonbinary people, and LGBTQ+ Wellness. All of the center's groups are in English or Spanish; there are none in Russian. [gaycenter.org](https://gaycenter.org/support/social-groups/) 208 W 13 St, New York, NY 10011

## Food, computers and practical help

- Brooklyn Community Pride Center, Love Wins Pantry A food pantry on the third Thursday of the month, open to all. [lgbtbrooklyn.org](https://www.lgbtbrooklyn.org/pridecenter) 1561 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11225 3rd Thursday of the month 1–4 pm
- Metropolitan Community Church of New York (MCCNY), Sylvia Rivera Food Pantry A client-choice food pantry at the MCCNY church, open to all. Snack bags Tuesday to Friday, and a community dinner at 5:30 pm on the last Tuesday of the month, also open to all. [mccny.org](https://www.mccny.org/mccnycharities.html) 446 West 36th Street, New York, NY 10018 Thursday 9–10 am (pantry), Tue–Fri 2–3 pm (snack bags), last Tuesday of the month 5:30 pm (dinner)
- Brooklyn Community Pride Center, Cyber Center Free Computers and soundproof booths for remote work. Free, first come first served, during center hours. [lgbtbrooklyn.org](https://www.lgbtbrooklyn.org/pridecenter) 1561 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11225 Mon–Thu 12–5 pm
- Brooklyn Community Pride Center, LGBTQ+ Mental Health Support Group on Zoom A mental health support group for adults 18 and older on Zoom, by registration. [lgbtbrooklyn.org](https://www.lgbtbrooklyn.org/) Mon 6–8 pm

## Sports, a gym and self-help meetings

- Brooklyn Community Pride Center, Basketball Open Gym Open basketball gym; registration required. [lgbtbrooklyn.org](https://www.lgbtbrooklyn.org/) 1561 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11225 Mon 8–10 pm
- Brooklyn Community Pride Center, Queer Martial Arts Martial arts for queer people. [lgbtbrooklyn.org](https://www.lgbtbrooklyn.org/) 1561 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11225 Tue 6–8 pm
- Brooklyn Community Pride Center, SMART Recovery A SMART Recovery group: an approach to overcoming addiction that the organization describes as evidence-informed. [smartrecovery.org](https://www.smartrecovery.org/) 1561 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11225 Mon 6:30–8 pm
- The LGBTQ+ Center, 12-step meetings 12-step mutual aid meetings; days and times are in the schedule at [gaycenter.org](https://gaycenter.org). [gaycenter.org](https://gaycenter.org/) 208 W 13 St, New York, NY 10011

## Centers for older LGBTQ+ adults

- SAGE, how to join the centers SAGE is a national organization working with older LGBTQ+ adults since 1978; its New York centers are operated by SAGEServes. Everyone is welcome regardless of orientation or gender identity, as long as you respect others. To join, fill in the Register for a Center form [on the website](https://sageserves.org/what-we-do/new-york-programs/ny-sage-centers/). [sageserves.org](https://sageserves.org/what-we-do/new-york-programs/ny-sage-centers/)
- Edie Windsor SAGE Center A center in Manhattan: dinner Mon–Fri 4:45–6 pm, computer lab (CyberCenter) noon–7 pm. [sageserves.org](https://sageserves.org/what-we-do/new-york-programs/ny-sage-centers/) 305 Seventh Avenue, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10001 Mon–Fri 12–8 pm
- SAGE Center Brooklyn at Stonewall House A center in Brooklyn at Stonewall House. Computer lab (CyberCenter) Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 11 am–noon. [sageserves.org](https://sageserves.org/what-we-do/new-york-programs/ny-sage-centers/) 271 Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11201 Mon–Fri 10 am–5 pm
- SAGE Center Harlem A center in Harlem: lunch Mon–Fri 12:30–1:30 pm, Grab n' Go meals Tuesdays and Fridays 1–2 pm, computer lab (CyberCenter) 10 am–5 pm. [sageserves.org](https://sageserves.org/what-we-do/new-york-programs/ny-sage-centers/) 220 West 143rd Street, New York, NY 10030 Mon–Fri 10 am–6 pm
- SAGE Center Bronx at Crotona Pride House A center in the Bronx at Crotona Pride House: lunch Mon–Fri 12:30–2 pm, computer lab (CyberCenter) 10 am–4 pm. [sageserves.org](https://sageserves.org/what-we-do/new-york-programs/ny-sage-centers/) 1784 Prospect Avenue, Bronx, NY 10457 Mon–Fri 10 am–4 pm

## Glossary: definitions of special terms and abbreviations

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This is general information, not legal advice: QARAVAN has no lawyers. QARAVAN does not help anyone enter the US and cannot arrange visas, invitations, sponsorship or evacuation. For your own case, talk to a licensed immigration attorney or a representative accredited by the U.S. Department of Justice.

[All pages: LGBTQ+ services](https://www.qaravan.org/resources/lgbtq/)

**Sources, checked November 2026**

- [gaycenter.org](https://gaycenter.org/)
- [gaycenter.org/support/social-groups](https://gaycenter.org/support/social-groups/)
- [lgbtbrooklyn.org/pridecenter](https://www.lgbtbrooklyn.org/pridecenter)
- [lgbtbrooklyn.org](https://www.lgbtbrooklyn.org/)
- [destinationtomorrow.org](https://destinationtomorrow.org/)
- [destinationtomorrow.org/services](https://destinationtomorrow.org/services)
- [pridecentersi.org](https://www.pridecentersi.org/)
- [sageserves.org/what-we-do/new-york-programs/ny-sage-centers](https://sageserves.org/what-we-do/new-york-programs/ny-sage-centers/)
- [mccny.org](https://www.mccny.org/)
- [mccny.org/mccnycharities.html](https://www.mccny.org/mccnycharities.html)
- [smartrecovery.org](https://www.smartrecovery.org/)
- [qchnyc.org/qcgs](https://www.qchnyc.org/qcgs)