City of Philadelphia - File #: 250867

• File #: 250867
• Version: 0
• Type: Resolution
• Status: IN COUNCIL
• File created: 10/9/2025
• In control: CITY COUNCIL
• Title: Recognizing October 19, 2025 as National LGBTQ Center Awareness Day in the City of Philadelphia and highlighting the vital role of LGBTQ+ community centers in serving as crucial lifelines and hubs for LGBTQ+ communities, fostering a sense of belonging and community, and advocating for equal rights.
• Sponsors: Councilmember Landau, Council President Johnson, Councilmember Phillips, Councilmember Gilmore Richardson, Councilmember Gauthier, Councilmember Thomas, Councilmember Lozada, Councilmember Young, Councilmember Brooks, Councilmember Harrity, Councilmember O'Rourke, Councilmember Driscoll, Councilmember O'Neill, Councilmember Squilla, Councilmember Bass, Councilmember Ahmad

Title
Recognizing October 19, 2025 as National LGBTQ Center Awareness Day in the City of Philadelphia and highlighting the vital role of LGBTQ+ community centers in serving as crucial lifelines and hubs for LGBTQ+ communities, fostering a sense of belonging and community, and advocating for equal rights.

Body
WHEREAS, National LGBTQ Center Awareness Day was founded by CenterLink in 1994 to highlight the work of LGBTQ community centers and their importance in providing essential services and support. The day is celebrated on October 19th each year to recognize these centers which serve as vital hubs for wellness programs, advocacy, cultural events, and support for the LGBTQ+ community; and

WHEREAS, CenterLink, founded in 1994, is a member-based coalition to support the development of sustainable and strong LGBTQ community centers. A fundamental goal of CenterLink's work is to support, strengthen, and connect LGBTQ community centers and to help build the capacity of these centers to address the cultural, social, health, and political advocacy needs of LGBTQ community members across the country. CenterLink has championed LGBTQ Center Awareness Day, inspiring a deeper understanding of the incredible work that LGBTQ+ community centers do for their communities; and

WHEREAS, LGBTQ+ centers serve a multi-faceted and vital role in many communities across the country. The LGBTQ+ presence in the area is the first point of contact for individuals seeking information, coming out, organizing for social change, or accessing services. LGBTQ+ centers continue to serve over 3 million individuals annually, they are the heart and soul of the LGBTQ+ movement and are vital to our current well-being and dreams for the future; and

WHEREAS, These centers experience staffing shortages, as evidenced by the 17% of centers operating with no paid staff, relying solely on volunteers and, over 31% of centers employ five or fewer paid staff. These volunteers provide emotional support, fill ...