# Places and people: where to go and whom to meet

Source: https://www.qaravan.org/resources/new-york/meeting-people/

Where to sit somewhere warm, get online and meet people: LGBTQ+ centers in Manhattan, Brooklyn and the Bronx, groups and free classes.

## Start here

- The LGBTQ+ Center in the West Village is open every day, with free Wi-Fi, a computer, printing, a garden and a free lending library.
- The Brooklyn Community Pride Center in Crown Heights publishes a calendar of meetups, support groups and sports. Destination Tomorrow in the Bronx takes walk-ins.
- At free We Speak NYC conversation classes you can practice English and meet people.

## LGBTQ+ centers

Places to sit down, get online and meet people.

- The LGBTQ+ Center Free The center in the West Village: sit in the garden, free Wi-Fi up to 8 hours a day, a computer in the David Bohnett CyberCenter up to 2 hours a day, printing up to 10 pages a day, phone charging. [gaycenter.org](https://gaycenter.org/about/inside-the-center/) 208 W 13 St, New York, NY 10011 building: Mon–Sat 8 am–10 pm, Sun 8 am–8 pm; CyberCenter: Mon–Sat 9 am–9 pm, Sun 9 am–7 pm
- Pat Parker/Vito Russo LGBTQ+ Library Free The only free circulating LGBTQ+ library in New York: hundreds of books and videos to use on site or borrow. It is inside The LGBTQ+ Center. Book donations are not accepted at the moment. [gaycenter.org](https://gaycenter.org/library/) 208 West 13th Street, New York, NY 10011 Thu 6–8 pm, Sun 12–4 pm
- Brooklyn Community Pride Center Free The LGBTQ+ center in Crown Heights. Its online calendar lists meetups, support groups and sports, such as basketball open gym. Some events need advance registration. [lgbtbrooklyn.org](https://www.lgbtbrooklyn.org/) 1561 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11225 Mon–Thu 12–5 pm
- Destination Tomorrow Free The Bronx's LGBTQ+ center. Walk in without an appointment: staff help directly or connect you with housing, health, work and education services. There is a separate Youth Services program. [destinationtomorrow.org](https://destinationtomorrow.org/) 452 E 149th St, 3rd floor, Bronx, NY 10455 Mon–Fri 10 am–6 pm, last client taken at 5 pm

## Groups and conversation classes

- Social groups at The LGBTQ+ Center Free Peer-led groups for LGBTQ+ adults 18 and up, built around shared interests and experiences, in English and Spanish. One is LGBTQ+ Immigrants United, a group for immigrants; days and times are on the Center's calendar. Groups meet in fall and spring cycles; register briefly [on the website](https://gaycenter.org/support/social-groups/) first. They are not clinical or therapy services. [gaycenter.org](https://gaycenter.org/support/social-groups/) 208 W 13 St, New York, NY 10011
- We Speak NYC conversation classes Free Free weekly classes where you speak English and meet people, online and in person, many at libraries. A program of the City's Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA). Classes Near You lists them by borough. [wespeaknyc.cityofnewyork.us](https://wespeaknyc.cityofnewyork.us/classes-near-you/)
- Free Urban Park Rangers events Free NYC Parks rangers lead free group events outdoors. Schedule: “[Parks, beaches, pools and free sports](https://www.qaravan.org/resources/new-york/parks-sports/)”. [nycgovparks.org](https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/urbanparkrangers)

## Glossary: definitions of special terms and abbreviations

- **LGBTQ+**: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people; the "+" includes everyone else.
- **Drop-in**: Come without an appointment.
- **We Speak NYC**: Free English conversation classes from the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs.

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: Life in New York](https://www.qaravan.org/resources/new-york/)

**Sources, checked November 2026**

- [wespeaknyc.cityofnewyork.us/classes-near-you](https://wespeaknyc.cityofnewyork.us/classes-near-you/)
- [nycgovparks.org/events/urbanparkrangers](https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/urbanparkrangers)
- [gaycenter.org/about/inside-the-center](https://gaycenter.org/about/inside-the-center/)
- [gaycenter.org/support/social-groups](https://gaycenter.org/support/social-groups/)
- [lgbtbrooklyn.org](https://www.lgbtbrooklyn.org/)
- [gaycenter.org/library](https://gaycenter.org/library/)
- [destinationtomorrow.org](https://destinationtomorrow.org/)