Visit The Center: Programs, Support, Events & Directions
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center, commonly called The Center, is an LGBTQ+ community, health, cultural and support hub at 208 W 13th Street, New York, NY 10011. The building hosts youth programming, recovery and mental-health services, HIV and Hepatitis C testing, support groups, cultural events, community meetings, a queer bookstore, library resources and rentable meeting spaces.
Information reviewed October 30, 2026. Events, support groups, testing schedules and holiday access can change independently of general building hours.
LGBT Community Center Hours
| Monday–Saturday | General building hours: 8:00 AM–10:00 PM. |
|---|---|
| Sunday | General building hours: 8:00 AM–8:00 PM. |
| Program and service staff | Monday–Friday, 10:00 AM–6:00 PM. Visitors can connect with service staff during these hours or contact the appropriate program directly. |
| Youth Drop-In | Weekdays, 3:00–7:00 PM for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults ages 13–22. |
| HIV / Hep C testing | Tuesday and Thursday noon–5 PM; Wednesday noon–7 PM. Walk-in testing is currently offered without an appointment. |
What Can You Do at The Center?
Free and confidential programming for ages 13–22, including drop-in time, social groups, leadership opportunities, internships, scholarships, summer programming and support.
The licensed mental-health clinic provides LGBTQ+-affirming therapy for adults, adolescents and families.
Licensed outpatient treatment, individual and group counseling, assessments, recovery maintenance and related support for people age 13 and older.
Free, confidential walk-in testing is offered on published weekday schedules in the Keith Haring Community Wing.
Community casework can help people navigate public benefits, housing resources, food support, health insurance and affirming referrals.
Community groups, arts programs, readings, performances, workshops, celebrations and recurring LGBTQ+ events run throughout the year.
If you are comparing LGBTQ+ community resources in different cities, our William Way LGBT Community Center guide explains Philadelphia’s current peer-support, trans, elder and community-program model.
Center Youth: Ages 13–22
Center Youth serves LGBTQ+ youth and young adults ages 13 through 22. The Center says its youth programs and services are free and confidential.
| Youth Drop-In | Weekdays, 3–7 PM in the Keith Haring Community Wing. |
|---|---|
| Open Lab | Published weekday computer-lab drop-in time, often 3–4 PM, for school work, job searches, applications and online tasks. |
| Gender X | Social and discussion space focused on gender, trans culture, identity and community. |
| Gaymers | Board, card and video-game social group. |
| Community Discussion | Weekly discussion group focused on issues and experiences relevant to LGBTQ+ youth. |
| Other programs | Queer Art, Rated Q film discussions, life-skills programming, internships, scholarships, Youth Pride Chorus and seasonal activities. |
For a different New York facility with dedicated teen, youth and educational spaces, see our Yes We Can Community Center youth and recreation guide.
Free HIV & Hepatitis C Testing
The Center currently publishes free rapid HIV testing on a walk-in basis at 208 W 13th Street. Hepatitis C testing is also available.
| Tuesday | Noon–5:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | Noon–7:00 PM |
| Thursday | Noon–5:00 PM |
| Appointment | No appointment is currently required for the published walk-in testing schedule. |
| Location inside building | Keith Haring Community Wing. |
Mental Health & Substance Use Recovery
The Center operates a licensed mental-health clinic providing longer-term LGBTQ+-affirming therapy to adults, adolescents and families. Its recovery program is a New York State-licensed outpatient substance-use treatment program designed specifically for LGBTQ+ people.
Published recovery services include individual and group counseling, substance-use education, assessments, medical and psychiatric services, medication management, recovery maintenance and supportive counseling for significant others.
Housing, Benefits, Insurance & Community Casework
The Center’s support services extend beyond meetings and events. Community casework can help connect people with LGBTQ+-affirming housing, shelter, food, cash assistance, SNAP, health services and other resources.
- Support navigating ACCESS HRA and Housing Connect.
- Connections to affirming housing and shelter resources.
- Help identifying food, clothing and basic-needs programs.
- TGNC-focused support with name-change referrals, healthcare connections and benefits.
- Health-insurance enrollment assistance with trained navigators.
- Referrals to legal resources; The Center does not directly provide legal representation for every legal issue.
Readers comparing community centers that combine recreation with broader family and social-support functions may also find our All Peoples Community Center services guide useful.
Current & Upcoming Events: Late 2026
The Center’s calendar contains both programs run by The Center and independent community meetings. Registration, age limits, cost and venue can differ by event.
| Date | Published event detail |
|---|---|
| Oct. 30, 2026 | Center Youth Halloqueer Halloween Party, 5–7 PM, plus adult support/social groups later in the evening. |
| Nov. 6, 2026 | Women’s Event 2026, 6–11 PM. This signature gala is held at Ziegfeld Ballroom, not at the W 13th Street building. |
| Nov. 20, 2026 | Transgender Day of Remembrance, 6–9 PM at The Center. Registration is required; the remembrance altar is scheduled to be available during November. |
| Dec. 1, 2026 | World of Red Ball 6, 6–11 PM. Registration is required; use the individual event listing for current venue and attendance instructions. |
Map, Subway & Building Entrance
| Address | 208 W 13th Street, New York, NY 10011. |
|---|---|
| Neighborhood | West Village / Greenwich Village area of Manhattan. |
| Street position | West 13th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues, on the south side of the street. |
| Transit | Multiple 14th Street subway and PATH stations are within walking distance. Check the current MTA or PATH trip planner from your actual starting point because service changes can affect the best route. |
| Main entrance | The main doorway has two steps. A ramp to the right of the main entrance provides step-free lobby access. |
Accessibility Inside The Center
The Center publishes detailed accessibility information for the four-floor main building and the ground-floor Keith Haring Community Wing.
- A ramp is available to the right of the main entrance.
- An elevator behind the Information & Referral desk serves upper floors.
- The fourth floor can be reached by elevator or Stairwell B.
- Accessible all-gender public restrooms are listed on the first, second and third floors near the elevators.
- Accommodation requests can be made during event registration.
- The Center says its major signature-event venues meet ADA accessibility standards and can provide ASL interpretation requests and live captions for large events.
Queer Bookstore, Library, Archive & Art
The Center is also a cultural destination. It houses the Bureau of General Services—Queer Division, the Pat Parker/Vito Russo Center Library, the LGBT Community Center National History Archive and permanent artwork including Keith Haring’s Once Upon a Time mural.
Bureau bookstore hours require an extra check. The Bureau’s own current site lists Wednesday through Sunday, 1–7 PM, while some Center pages show a slightly different weekday schedule. If the bookstore is your main reason for visiting, check the Bureau’s own current hours first.
Library and archive access can also follow specific opening or appointment schedules rather than the building’s full operating hours.
For another example of a community organization built around cultural identity, programming, events and shared space, our Jewish Community Center programs and visitor guide explains the practical checks that vary between local branches.
Can You Rent a Room at The Center?
Yes. The Center publishes a room-rental inventory for community, corporate and personal use. Spaces range from small meeting rooms for roughly 12–15 people to assembly and auditorium rooms with seating for up to 150.
| Room 101 | Assembly / performance space; published chair capacity 150. |
|---|---|
| Room 110 | Classroom, dance or rehearsal space; published chair capacity 50. |
| Room 202 | Classroom / rehearsal space; capacity 40; accessible by elevator. |
| Room 214 | Multipurpose room; published chair capacity 70. |
| Room 301 | Auditorium / performance space; published chair capacity 150; AV packages available. |
| Smaller rooms | Several meeting and conference rooms accommodate smaller groups. |
5-Step Plan for a First Visit
Decide whether you need an event, youth group, testing, counseling, recovery support, social group, bookstore, library, casework or room rental.
Do not use general building hours as the schedule for an individual service.
Youth programs, clinical services, events and groups can have different registration or intake requirements.
Verify whether the activity is at 208 W 13th Street, online or at another event venue, and request accommodations if needed.
Register, request intake, book a room or contact a service only through The Center or the official organization running that meeting.
Before You Go: Quick Checklist
- Use 208 W 13th Street, New York, NY 10011 for the main Center building.
- Confirm the exact service schedule, not only the building hours.
- For youth programs, complete required intake before relying on a group schedule.
- For testing, verify the current walk-in testing day and time.
- For counseling or recovery treatment, follow the official intake process.
- Check the event venue because signature events may be held elsewhere.
- Request accessibility accommodations during registration when needed.
- Check same-day transit service before traveling into Manhattan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the LGBT Community Center in New York City?
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center, commonly called The Center, is at 208 W 13th Street, New York, NY 10011 in Manhattan’s West Village.
What are the LGBT Community Center NYC hours?
General building hours are Monday through Saturday from 8 AM to 10 PM and Sunday from 8 AM to 8 PM. Program and service staff hours are generally Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 6 PM. Individual programs use separate schedules.
Do I need an appointment to visit The Center?
You do not generally need an appointment simply to enter during normal building hours, but many services, groups and events have intake, registration or appointment requirements. Check the exact program before traveling.
What age can join Center Youth programs?
Center Youth serves LGBTQ+ youth and young adults ages 13–22. Programs are described as free and confidential, and intake is required for youth programming.
Does The Center offer free HIV testing?
Yes. The Center currently publishes free, confidential walk-in HIV testing on Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to 5 PM and Wednesdays from noon to 7 PM. Hepatitis C testing is also available. Check the official testing page before a time-sensitive visit.
Does The Center provide mental-health services?
Yes. The Center operates a licensed mental-health clinic offering LGBTQ+-affirming therapy to adults, adolescents and families. Intake and insurance or payment arrangements should be confirmed directly with the clinic.
Does The Center offer substance-use treatment?
Yes. The Center operates a New York State-licensed outpatient substance-use treatment program designed for LGBTQ+ people age 13 and older. Services include individual and group counseling, assessments and recovery support.
Is the LGBT Community Center wheelchair accessible?
The Center provides a ramp entrance to the right of the main doorway, an elevator to upper floors and accessible all-gender restrooms on several floors. Contact the Center before an event if you need a specific accommodation or accessible route.
Can I rent a meeting room at The Center?
Yes. The Center rents a variety of meeting, classroom, rehearsal, assembly and auditorium spaces. Capacity varies by room, and the current rental quote and availability should be obtained through the official rental process.
How do I find current events at The Center?
Use the official gaycenter.org calendar. Open the individual listing to verify the date, time, registration requirement, age restriction, cost and venue because not every Center event takes place at the W 13th Street building.
Official Links for Final Action
General visit or hours: use the official contact and operating-hours page and call 212-620-7310 if the visit depends on a specific department.
Programs and events: open the official Center calendar, select the exact event and check registration, age and venue details.
Youth: start with the official Center Youth page and complete the required intake process before relying on a recurring group schedule.
Health or recovery: use the official health-services page for mental health, substance-use treatment and current HIV/Hep C testing information.
Support services: use the official support directory for community casework, insurance enrollment, survivor support, housing and other referrals.