About the Center - Los Angeles LGBT Center

Our Vision

More than 50 years ago, a group of queer activists came together to share a dream. After fighting for equality in protests, demonstrations, and parades, they wondered: What if we created the world we’ve been waiting for?

Historic photos of Center founders on steps of building

So they launched Liberation House—a shelter that provided a safe space for LGBTQ+ people. But as demand from the community grew, so did the dream. And now, decades later, we’ve gone from one tiny home to becoming the Los Angeles LGBT Center: the largest LGBTQ+ organization in the world.

We’re the fulfillment of their dream, innovating a holistic model of care that houses, nourishes, heals, and celebrates our people. Every single day, our doors are open—whether you’re a youth who needs a place to belong, or a senior who’s ready to live life fabulously. Then, we take what we learn on the frontlines to advocate for our community everywhere.

No matter what fight lies ahead—and we know, it’s going to be a tough one—we can always call upon our radical roots to hold us firm. Our founders’ dreams planted the seeds, and we stand among their flowers. Because everyone deserves to bloom, to shine, to love, and to live freely. That’s why we’ll always be here: to fight like hell for our right to do just that.

Watch • 2:00

Welcome to the Center!

Everything you need to know about us—from our holistic model of care to our unmatched size and scope—in two minutes or less.

Watch • 2:00

Welcome to the Center!

Everything you need to know about us—from our holistic model of care to our unmatched size and scope—in two minutes or less.

A Black senior woman dances; she is wearing a khaki jumpsuit and there is a green backdrop behind her.

Our Mission

Since 1969, the Los Angeles LGBT Center has cared for, championed, and celebrated LGBTQ individuals and families in Los Angeles and beyond.

Today, the Center’s nearly 800 employees provide services for more queer and trans people than any other organization in the world—offering programs, services, and global advocacy that span four broad categories: Health, Social Services and Housing, Culture and Education, and Leadership and Advocacy.

We are an unstoppable force in the fight against bigotry and the struggle to build a better world—a world in which LGBTQ people can be healthy, equal, and complete members of society.

Join Our Cause

A group of five youth are playing around, one in an orange t-shirt is being held horizontally by the other four.

Our founders’ dreams planted the seeds—
and we stand among their flowers.

Our Values

Community

We exist in the love and service of LGBTQ+ people everywhere. We center our community in every decision we make to inform our care, advance our mission, and inspire our advocacy.

Integrity

We uphold our promises to the movement by ensuring a mindfulness of our impact—promoting collaborative leadership, our accountability to our people, and our commitment to excellence.

Courage

After decades of service, we honor our organization’s radical roots by centering the members of our community who need our care the most—which necessitates shared strategy, imagination, and informed risk-taking to propel our mission and movement forward.

Liberation

We believe that liberation can only be accomplished through intersectional, visionary action. We strive to ensure the safety and freedom of all LGBTQ+ people—which means we must model transformative leadership in the struggle to build a better world.

Joy

No matter what adversity has faced our movement, we choose to answer with fierce, radical joy. We’re proud to be a sanctuary for collective healing, community building, and celebration.