THE PRIDE CENTER OF THE CAPITAL REGION

2023 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 2023, 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, 2023 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.

The growth made since nearly closing amid the COVID-19 pandemic, has marked a pivotal moment in our history. Our Pride Parade and Festival continues to grow, officially becoming the largest parade AND festival in Albany! Thanks to staff and board resilience in making certain the doors of the Pride Center stayed open, we have been able to not only see growth in our regular weekly group programs, but also extend our reach into rural and suburban communities that have historically had limited access to LGBTQIA+ resources. This looks like encouraging local communities to start their own Pride-related celebrations, supporting the initiation of youth groups in rural areas, and bringing education and training to schools in more rural parts of the Capital Region to better support the queer youth and adults in those communities. Through this work, we've witnessed the beautiful ripple effect of community support, as local opportunities for queer people to connect and create community have grown and will continue to do so.

Our mental health services steadily grew post-pandemic, offering over 1,500 hours of free counseling to community members in need. This program has been imperative in order to reach those who might otherwise lack access to affirming mental health care. We had a hot meal for the youth group every Friday; our Aging with Pride cruise had to be moved to a bigger boat because we needed space for over 200 LGBTQ+ seniors and their allies to maintain community and combat isolation; our TRANSition Expo was a success and will be a spring tradition that will grow each year to make certain transgender, gender nonconforming, and nonbinary people, and their allies, parents, caseworkers, etc. know how to best support themselves or a person in transition they support. These are just the beginnings of a program that will grow to support the breadth of the queer community across the four corners of the Capital Region,

As we look to 2024, we remain committed to our founding principles while embracing new opportunities to serve, educate, and advocate. Your continued support makes this vital work possible.

With gratitude and pride,
Nathaniel Gray, Executive Director

MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

2023 BY THE NUMBERS

500+ volunteers supported Pride Center events in 2023, including the Pride Festival, youth support groups, and community outreach initiatives. These dedicated volunteers played a crucial role in ensuring the success of events, offering their time and energy to foster a sense of community and inclusivity throughout the year.

We hosted 24 support groups, on either a weekly or monthly basis, offering safe spaces for individuals of all identities to find support and community. Each group was tailored to meet the unique needs of different identities within the LGBTQIA+ spectrum, ensuring that all members felt seen, heard, and valued.

Provided over 1,500 hours of free counseling and case management. These services helped LGBTQIA+ individuals access critical mental health support, regardless of their financial situation, reducing barriers to care in the region.

Monthly peer groups were established in rural communities, offering essential support to LGBTQIA+ youth.These groups provided a lifeline for queer youth in areas with limited resources, helping them build connections and navigate challenges in environments that can often feel isolating.

Programs & Services

55% of the Pride Center's income came from Sponsorships, 41% from Individual Donations, and 4% from Grants. Expenses consisted of 67.1% for Programs, 25.5% for Administration, and 7.4% for Fundraising.

Income Sources & Expenses

The Pride Center serves the full spectrum of the LGBTQIA+ community in the Capital Region.

The Age Distribution amongst those we served was 40% Adults (25-59), 35% Youth (13-24), and 25% Seniors ( 60+); the Gender Identity was 52% cisgender and 48% Trans or Non-Binary; and the Race/Ethnicity makeup was 60% White, 20% Black, 10% Hispanic/Latino, and 10% Other/Multiracial.

Demographics

Delivered over 100 hours of specialized training to schools, healthcare providers, and local organizations, helping them create affirming spaces for LGBTQIA+ individuals. These sessions focused on increasing awareness and improving care for marginalized communities, particularly in rural areas with limited resources.

40%

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

In 2024, 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.

Looking Forward

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

2023 Pride Center Staff

Nathaniel Gray, MSW

Director of Programs & Operations

Jen Maley-Wheeler, LMSW

Program Coordinator

Tora Stringfield

2023 Pride Center Board

John Daniels

President

Scott Levine

Vice-President

Jeremy Bond

Treasurer

Secretary

Meghan Baxter

Audit Committee Chair

Stephanie Slominski ~ CIA CFE

Board Members

Atsushi Akera
Lance Rider
Matthew Kishpaugh
Samuel Trimboli

Communications Coordinator

Meagon Nolasco

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.