The Los Angeles LGBT Center will be growing yet again.
On January 11, the Center will open its south campus in the Leinert neighborhood of South LA. Before this, the most recent campus to open was the Anita May Rosenstein campus last year.
“Thanks to our coalition of four partners and Los Angeles County, Center South will be a welcoming space for those who seek essential services and compassionate care so that they may thrive as healthy, equal, and complete members of society,”Center CEO Lorri L. Jean said. “As part of the South Los Angeles community, we will be able to expand on our 50-year-plus history of caring for the LGBT community throughout Los Angeles.”
The new facility – known as Center South – will be 5,500 square feet. It will include HIV testing, access to PrEP and PEP services, housing case management, mental health services, a computer lab, drop-in safe space and more.
The campus was supported with a grant from LA County. It is the first expansion into south LA. It signifies a long-term commitment to care for the LGBT people throughout the entire city. Four local organizations partnered with the Center to help address societal and health needs of locals: Bienestar Human Services, Black AIDS Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and The Wall Las Memorias Project.
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All of Center South’s programs and services will be provided for free or at low cost to everyone, with a focus on serving the needs of young gay and bisexual men of color ages 12 to 29. South LA had the second highest rate of HIV diagnoses in the county, according to the 2017 Los Angeles County Annual HIV Surveillance Report,. The rate continues to rise among young Black and Latino gay and bisexual men.
There will be an opening ceremony for the Center South on January 11 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the new campus, located at 2313W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Scheduled to speak at the ceremony are Center CEO Lorri L. Jean and Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Director – Division of HIV and STD Programs Mario J. Pérez. Following the ceremony, the community is invited to take self-guided tours of Center South and participate in the daylong celeb ration which will include food, giveaways, a resource fair, and entertainment. RSVP for the free event at lalgbtcenter.org/CenterSouth. Due to the large attendance expected at the celebration, guests are highly encouraged to use public transportation or a rideshare service. Street parking only, where available. There will be no parking provided on site.
