LGBT Center Celebrates Grand Opening

A ribbon cutting will take place at 2 p.m. May 17, followed by a 5 p.m. public open house during Harrisburg's Third in the Burg.

HARRISBURG, PA You're invited to help celebrate the grand opening of the LGBT Center of Central PA's new home!

The LGBT Center, its board members, staff, and local officials will be holding a ribbon cutting for the organization's permanent home at 1323 N. Front Street in Harrisburg at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 17. The space will be open to the public at 5 p.m. for an open house and reception, coinciding with Harrisburg's Third in the Burg.

This beautiful 3,000-square-foot building is easily accessible by bus, foot, bike, or car with parking available, and a view of the Susquehanna River near Front and Verbeke streets. The Center looks forward to welcoming community members into this space for programs, events, and to simply be a drop-in space for LGBTQ+ communities across the Central PA region once again.

"This marks an exciting new chapter in the LGBT Center's journey. I want to sincerely thank everyone that has made this moment possible," said Amanda Carter, the center's interim executive director.

The LGBT Center's grand opening comes after a search that lasted for more than a year and a half, culminating in a capital campaign that allowed the nonprofit organization to purchase its new home last July. Since then, the center has pursued renovations to make the space ADA accessible, expanding the lobby and community room, and installing a full kitchen.

"Our work at the LGBT Center of Central PA is as important as ever," said LGBT Center Board Co-Chair Wallace McKelvey. "The center's new home stands as a beacon of hope, resilience and most importantly joy."

Board Co-Chair Christina Johnson added, "Our new home is like a huge hug; it welcomes all in with warmth and goodwill."

The purchase of the Center's new home was the result of the combined efforts of hundreds of people through fundraising and in-kind donations. The Capital Campaign Committee that helped coordinate those efforts is chaired by Ted Martin, and its members include Donald Bucher, Benjamin Dunlap, Sandie Geary, Brad Gebhart, Marlene Kanuck, Stuart Landon, Barry Loveland, Dan Miller, Jennifer Ross, and Michelle Simmons.

Of course, the grand opening is not the end of the journey. The essential work of the center is as vital as ever. If you'd like to contribute to its work, credit card payments can be made online at https://bit.ly/LGBTCenterCapitalCampaign, and checks payable to the "LGBT Center of Central PA" with "Capital Campaign" in the memo line can be mailed to P.O. Box 5629, Harrisburg PA 17110.

ABOUT THE LGBT CENTER OF CENTRAL PA

The LGBT Center of Central PA fosters inclusive communities and holistic well-being for LGBTQ+ people through social, educational, and cultural engagement. Its work includes housing, support groups, and other programs. Established in 2006 and based in Harrisburg, the LGBT Center serves diverse communities across Dauphin, Cumberland, Lancaster and York counties. For more information, please visit centralpalgbtcenter.org.