THE PRIDE CENTER OF THE CAPITAL REGION

2024 Impact Report

Since 1970, the Pride Center of the Capital Region has stood as a beacon of hope and support for our LGBTQIA+ community. As the nation's oldest continuously operating LGBTQIA+ community center, we've witnessed tremendous change while remaining steadfast in our commitment to creating safe, affirming spaces where all can thrive.

In 2024, the Pride Center of the Capital Region strengthened its position as a cornerstone of LGBTQIA+ support through expanded essential services, community programming, and the creation of affirming spaces that fostered connection and belonging. Our innovative outreach initiatives and deepened advocacy efforts specifically addressed the needs of LGBTQIA+ individuals in rural and suburban communities, leading crucial conversations on policy and equality. By combining direct services with community engagement and advocacy, we continued building a more equitable and resilient future for all LGBTQIA+ people in the Capital Region.

OUR MISSION

To promote the wellbeing of all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer-identified people and those affected by discrimination based on gender identity and expression.

OUR VISION

A world where LGBTQIA+ people are celebrated, safe, and have equal opportunities.

OUR CORE VALUES

Inclusivity, Equity, Community,
Empowerment, Resilience

In a year marked by both unprecedented challenges and remarkable resilience, 2024 stands as a testament to the power of community and collective action. As we reflect on this transformative year, we're proud to share the story of how the Pride Center of the Capital Region has grown, adapted, and strengthened its commitment to serving LGBTQIA+ individuals across our region.

In 2024, the Pride Center of the Capital Region moved with purpose, compassion, and clarity. We met a growing demand for mental health support, expanded our reach into rural and suburban communities, and created new spaces—both literal and symbolic—for LGBTQIA+ individuals to be affirmed, connected, and seen.

This year, we delivered over 1,500 sessions of affirming mental health care to more than 400 clients. Through our hybrid clinical and intern-supported model, we broke down access barriers and grew our capacity—without sacrificing care. Our peer-led support groups remained deeply rooted in community connection, with more than 1,600 attendances across nine unique spaces for youth, trans and nonbinary folks, elders, and others navigating identity and belonging.

We launched and scaled EMPACT—our Empathy-Based Model for Prevention, Affirmation, and Community Transformation—which trained over 1,000 professionals across 36 sessions. This program is already changing how schools, foster care agencies, and health systems show up for queer and trans youth—and how adults step into their power as affirming forces in young people’s lives.

2024 was also a year of visibility. Over 40,000 people joined us during Pride Week, making our Festival and Parade the largest in Albany’s history. Our Aging with Pride Cruise welcomed 270 LGBTQ+ elders and allies aboard—a record-breaking moment that underscored our belief that queer joy is for every generation. And across the region, we saw more communities—Bethlehem, Saratoga, Schenectady—build local pride celebrations that reflect their unique voices and needs.

Throughout the year, we remained deeply engaged in advocacy at the state level, calling out the systemic exclusion of rural LGBTQIA+ communities from funding, data collection, and policy design. We laid the groundwork for the first-ever Day of Advocacy focused on queer and trans people in suburban and rural New York—because representation must mean more than geography.

We end this year stronger: not just in numbers, but in clarity. The Pride Center is not just surviving—we are growing. We are responding. We are transforming. And we are doing it in partnership with every person who shows up, speaks up, and says: “We deserve more.”

Thank you for making that work possible. Let’s keep building.

With gratitude and pride,
Nathaniel Gray, Executive Director

MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Race & Ethnicity

White/European-American - 81.34%
Multiracial - 7.49%
Latino/Hispanic - 5.91%
Black/African-American - 3.09%
Asian/Pacific Islander - 2.17%

Gender

Non-Binary - 28.94%
Transgender Woman - 15.85%
Transgender Man - 13.91%
Cisgender Woman - 20.68%
Cisgender Man - 20.61%

Age Range

13–18 - 28.00%
19–24 - 18.62%
25–34 - 37.31%
45+ - 16.08%

Sexual Orientation

Asexual - 7.16%
Gay - 28.31%
Lesbian - 21.73%
Pansexual - 15.74%
Queer - 27.06%

Demographics

1,610 attendances across 9 support groups

Our peer-led spaces continued to offer vital connection points for queer and trans people of all ages. These groups served as safe, consistent spaces for LGBTQIA+ individuals to gather, heal, and belong.

Support groups included Trans Feminine, Trans Masculine, Nonbinary, Youth, Aging with Pride, and more

We offered specialized groups designed by and for participants, recognizing the power of gathering around shared lived experience.

Peer Support Groups

36 trainings delivered across schools, health systems, and youth programs

We trained over three dozen institutions across the Capital Region in LGBTQIA+ cultural competency, with a special focus on youth-facing professionals, caregivers, and systems of care.

Over 1,000 professionals trained in LGBTQ+ youth suicide prevention

Our EMPACT curriculum provided life-saving education grounded in the Family Acceptance Project and aligned with NYS Suicide Prevention Center guidance. This work directly contributed to safer classrooms, clinics, and homes.

Recognized and supported by the NYS Suicide Prevention Center

EMPACT is more than a training—it’s a movement toward empathy and affirmation that transforms institutions from the inside out.

Training & Education

40,000+ attendees joined us during 2024 Pride Week

Our Pride Festival and Parade officially became the largest in Albany’s history—welcoming tens of thousands of LGBTQIA+ people, families, and allies from across the region.

The Aging with Pride Cruise welcomed over 270 LGBTQ+ elders and allies

The incredible growth of this event reflects both the demand for elder-centered LGBTQ+ spaces and our commitment to intergenerational celebration and connection.

Over 150 vendors and 150 marching groups participated in the Parade & Festival

We expanded the reach, scale, and impact of Pride in every direction—elevating local artists, advocates, and small businesses while staying rooted in joy and justice.

Alt Prom, Kickoff BBQ, the Pride 5K, and more brought people together

These events created welcoming entry points for all members of our community—from first-time attendees to longtime volunteers.

Community Events & Outreach

404 individuals received affirming mental health support

This year, our counseling team continued to serve as a lifeline for LGBTQIA+ individuals navigating identity, trauma, transition, grief, and isolation. By offering free and low-barrier therapy options, we helped more than 400 people access care that was not only competent—but affirming.

1,592 therapy sessions were delivered in 2024

From one-on-one clinical counseling to gender-affirming mental health support, our team provided nearly 1,600 hours of therapy to people across the region. These sessions helped clients build resilience, navigate challenges, and receive the support they deserved.

2,840 total client contacts ensured ongoing coordination, referrals, and care navigation

Beyond formal sessions, our staff provided care coordination, check-ins, and supportive communication—ensuring no client was ever left without a next step.

Mental Health &
Counseling Services

2024 BY THE NUMBERS

40%

reduction in suicide risk when LGBTQIA+ youth have access to affirming adults

In 2025, we will continue to grow our impact by focusing on:

Further Expanding rural outreach: We plan to develop additional peer support groups and services for LGBTQIA+ youth in underserved counties.
Growing our training programs: We aim to offer more customized training to local businesses and nonprofits to help them create affirming spaces for LGBTQIA+ clients and employees.

Thanks to a five-year Department of Health grant, the Pride Center will expand its mental health services, enabling us to double the number of free counseling hours provided to the community. This funding will allow us to:

Increase the availability of free counseling services for LGBTQIA+ youth, seniors, and the transgender community.
Implement trauma-informed care training for our mental health providers.
Expand rural visibility and support for all counties in the capital region by promoting telehealth services, traveling social workers to create group spaces in partner organizations and ensuring access to care for individuals in rural and suburban areas.
Host the first-ever Day of Advocacy focused on rural and suburban LGBTQIA+ issues
Expand the reach of EMPACT into more school districts
Deepen support for Pride affiliates in Saratoga, Schenectady, and Bethlehem
Continue to build programs that reflect the fullness of LGBTQIA+ identity—youth to elder, urban to rural, and every intersection in between

Looking Forward

We thank our presenting sponsor Hannaford, our many Pride and Gala sponsors, and every community partner, donor, volunteer, and affiliate who helped us carry our mission forward. Your belief in our work fuels every training, support group, and celebration of queer resilience.

2024 marked a turning point in our focus on rural and suburban advocacy:

Held New York State accountable to GENDA, SONDA, and the newly passed Equal Rights Amendment
Amplified disparities in LGBTQIA+ inclusion in state budgeting and service distribution
Centered rural and suburban voices often excluded from statewide queer policy discussions

Advocacy & Equity

Gratitude & Support

Pride Season Celebrations

Our Pride celebrations continue to grow, with Pride flag raisings across six counties symbolizing expanding acceptance throughout the region. The Pride Festival and Parade in Washington Park remains our signature event, drawing tens of thousands to celebrate diversity and inclusion in our community. Our block party and Rainbow Run 5K provide additional opportunities for connection and celebration.

Supporting our LGBTQ+
Elders

Our commitment to LGBTQIA+ seniors remains strong through our partnerships with Albany Guardian Society and the Alzheimer's Association, providing vital resources and community connections for our elder community members. The popular Aging with Pride cruise program continues to offer free social opportunities for those 55+, combating isolation while building lasting friendships.

The Pride Center partnered with St. Anne’s Institute, a residential treatment facility, to deliver specialized training for staff working with LGBTQIA+ youth.

This training was designed to foster culturally competent care and utilized a unique approach:

6-8 weeks of continuous workshops: These sessions allowed for real-time reflection and application of skills, enabling staff to bring up challenges and experiences from the workplace as they happened.
Focus on LGBTQIA+ youth experiences: With over 30% of youth in foster care identifying as LGBTQIA+, the training was crucial in equipping staff with the tools to better support these vulnerable individuals, many of whom are in the system due to family rejection.

Key areas of the training included:

Creating affirming environments that reduce misgendering and discrimination.
Providing trauma-informed care tailored to the needs of LGBTQIA+ clients.
Updating policies to align with best practices for non-discrimination and inclusion.

This partnership underscores the Pride Center’s commitment to improving care quality across various sectors, ensuring that institutions like St. Anne’s Institute are equipped to support LGBTQIA+ youth effectively.

Partnering with St. Anne's

TRAINING & EDUCATION HIGHLIGHT

Our in-school programming includes teacher training, technical assistance, and the first-ever LGBTQIA+ youth groups in Rensselaer County. Working with local Boys and Girls Clubs, we're building sustainable support systems for LGBTQIA+ youth. As we expand to five schools this year, we continue advocating for safe, supportive educational environments where LGBTQIA+ existence is acknowledged and celebrated, not politicized.

Through partnerships with Project AWARE and Capital District Connect, we've launched groundbreaking LGBTQIA+ support programs in Rensselaer and Lansingburgh schools. These federally-funded initiatives address mental health disparities and suicide prevention in our youth communities. Using evidence-based materials from the Family Acceptance Project, we provide comprehensive training to school staff on creating affirming environments and understanding the crucial impact of acceptance on LGBTQIA+ youth mental health.

School Safety & Youth Support

Building on our successful Transition Expo tradition, we partnered with regional medical providers, insurance representatives, and financial advisors to host comprehensive educational sessions on transgender healthcare access, mental health resources, and healthcare rights advocacy.

Healthcare & Wellness

Our Pride Center continues to strengthen vital community connections through collaborative events that educate, celebrate, and advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community in the Capital Region.

& Community Impact

PRIDE CENTER PARTNERSHIPS

OUR PRIDE CENTER TEAM

Executive Director

2025 Pride Center Staff

Nathaniel Gray, MSW
All Pronouns

Director of Programs & Operations

Jen Maley-Wheeler, LMSW
She/Her

Program Coordinator

Tora Stringfield
She/Her

2025 Pride Center Board

Deb Vincent-Evans
She/Her

President

Atsushi Akera
She/Her

Vice-President

Jeremy Bond
He/Him

Treasurer

Secretary

Anne Neslon
She/Her

Audit Committee Chair

Stephanie Slominski ~ CIA CFE

Board Members

Alanna Katzman (She/Her)
Michelle Lavoy (She/Her)
Trisha Schell (She/Her)
Cat Graziose (She/They)
Marlow Guerrant (They/Them)
Ashley Lynn Fredrickson (She/Her)

Operations Administrator

Dakota Knicks
She/Her

Building a stronger, more inclusive Capital Region - together.

Albany Gaurdian Center
Albany Medical Center
Albany Parking Authority
Alliance For Positive Health
Alpin Haus
Alzheimer's Association
Berkshire Bank
Berkshire Farm Centers
Broadview Federal Credit Union
CDTA
Central Ave BID
Copps DiPaola Silverman
CSEA
Decresente Distributing Co.
Eddy Alzheimers Services
Empire Merchants
Fidelis Care
First New York Credit Union
FLY 92
Franklin Hospitality Group
GE Renewable Energy
Gloversville Library
Hannaford
Highmark Blue Shield
Key Bank
KISS 102.3
LeClaire
Margarita City
Mark Grey Enterprises
McGeary's
Measurable SEO
Mohawk Hudson Humane Society
New York Oncology Hematology
New York State Music
NYSTEC
OH Bar
Pepsi
Pioneer Bank
Price Chopper / Market 32
Proctor's
Regeneron
Renaissance Hotel
Rivers Casino
Rocks
Roseblum Development
Russell Sage College
Schoharie Dental
Simon's Bard
TD Bank
The Spot
Thomson Accounting Group
Transfinder
Tri City Rentals
Tri-City Valley Cats
United Way
Unity House
Waterworks Pub
Whitney Young
WMHT

Regeneron
Renaissance Hotel
Rivers Casino
Rocks
Roseblum Development
Russell Sage College
Schoharie Dental
Simon's Bard
TD Bank
The Spot
Thomson Accounting Group
Transfinder
Tri City Rentals
Tri-City Valley Cats
United Way
Unity House
Waterworks Pub
Whitney Young
WMHT

GE Renewable Energy
Gloversville Library
Hannaford
Highmark Blue Shield
Key Bank
KISS 102.3
LeClaire
Margarita City
Mark Grey Enterprises
McGeary's
Measurable SEO
Mohawk Hudson Humane Society
New York Oncology Hematology
New York State Music
NYSTEC
OH Bar
Pepsi
Pioneer Bank
Price Chopper / Market 32
Proctor's

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our community partners, sponsors, and government supporters. Your generosity has empowered us to expand services and make a meaningful impact on the LGBTQIA+ community. Together, we’re creating a more inclusive Capital Region.