GLCC relocates to downtown, prepares for grand opening

by Andrew Carranza

The Gay Lesbian Community Center has a new home in downtown Pittsburgh.

After spending 17 years on Forward Avenue in Squirrel Hill, GLCC is now located at 210 Grant Street. While the old spot will be missed, the new location serves GLCC much better, according to Gary McKillop, director of development.

“The new space is about the same size [as the old one] but more usable,” McKillop explained. “We’ll have more accessibility, and we will be able to increase programs and events.”

The GLCC will also be more visible in its new location, McKillop added.

“That was definitely one of the things we were aiming for,” he said. “Our old space was good, but you had to find it first!”

The new location will also be accessible to individuals with disabilities, compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, McKillop noted.

 “It’s just better overall,” he said. “Some adjustments will need to get done, but I think everything will work out. We definitely found a space that works for us!”

 With significant renovation, the downtown location will feature a staffed reception desk and conference rooms that will accommodate both small and large group meetings, according to a GLCC press release.

There will be four office spaces for other LBGT nonprofit groups and a dedicated health services office to expand men and women’s health care screenings and provide prevention care.

The new location will also feature a kitchen, art gallery exhibit space, socializing areas and Wi-Fi Internet access.

Still, McKillop said it was “bittersweet” to leave Forward Avenue as many fond memories linked to that location.

“It’s sad since we had a lot of good memories and good events there,” McKillop recalled. “We forged a lot of relationships in the community there, which we will be carrying forward to our new space.”

According to McKillop, some of his favorite events were the open houses and art exhibits held at the former location, as well as the grand opening of the LGBT library, which is the largest in western Pennsylvania.

“We have around 3,000 GLBT books in the library, and the grand opening was great,” he said.

The LGBT library will also be transferred from the old location to the new spot, McKillop said.

GLCC board members and volunteers began moving items from the old location to Grant Street on Sept. 4. The move-in took about a week and required plenty of volunteer help, McKillop said.

“It was intense and it took a lot of effort, but we had about 50 volunteers help us, ranging in age from 18 to 66,” he said. “People are excited and wanted to help us pack and move.”

A grand opening celebration will be held at the new GLCC in late October or early November, McKillop said. An art exhibit is also scheduled for Oct. 3.

“We want to make sure everything is in place and we have our events up and running,” he said.

According to McKillop, GLCC has been growing steadily over the past five years, which is another reason for relocating.

“As we continue to grow, we want to add new programs,” he explained. “We will have some new programs for seniors, as well as youth. Basically, we will be increasing everything we do at the new location.”

One new feature will be a huge conference area, which can fit about 60 people.

“We can hold yoga classes there or have activities, presentations and exhibits,” McKillop said.

Renovation expenses at GLCC are estimated to exceed $150,000, although the center has already been hard at work collecting donations.

An initial leadership gift from the Delta Foundation and ongoing support by the Lambda Foundation have been used for renovations needed for the new location, according to a press release. Additionally, the Marshall Singer fund will support the creation of an art exhibit space.

A capital campaign has been initiated by the GLCC board of directors to fund the remainder of the expenses. Donors have the opportunity to name space in honor of a friend, partner, mentor or special occasion with a generous gift.

GLCC provides the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals, their families and supporters in Western Pennsylvania with resources and opportunities to promote visibility, understanding and equality within the LGBT community and the community-at-large, according to its Web site.

GLCC services include a confidential and supportive phone help line, youth programming, social events and meeting space to all individuals or organizations that support and enrich our Pittsburgh communities.

There are no membership fees to join GLCC, although the organization does accept donations.

The center is open from 6-9pm, Tuesday through Thursday; from noon to 9 pm on Saturdays; and noon to 6pm on Sundays. A youth group also meets at the center on Friday nights.

For further information contact Gary McKillop at 412-727-0400 or e-mail quickkey@live.com.