The Center History

Work on The Lesbian & Gay Community Center began in April 1999 with a community study committee. Funding for the study was provided by OutCharlotte and allowed the hiring of Grassroots Leadership to conduct community forums and a survey. In 2000, a Planning Committee was formed which worked on a strategic plan. (The 1999 Study Committee Report and the 2000 Planning Committee Report are available on this site)

In January 2001 a new 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization was formed under the name “The Lesbian & Gay Community Center of Charlotte”. The first Board of Trustees filed all the legal paperwork and began applying for grants, raising funds through annual memberships and starting monthly programs. A virtual community center was also created at that time and is known today as GayCharlotte.com.

In 2001, The Center had 125 members representing 148 individuals and 7 businesses. We applied for grants and received funding from the Fund for Southern Communities and Gill Foundation. The Gill Foundation also awarded us an Emerging Transition grant for $30,000 over two years (2002 and 2003). This grant award will help provide funding to hire The Center’s first Executive Director.

In May 2002, White Rabbit Books & Things called the Board to say they were moving and had additional space for rent. The Board launched an intensive fundraising campaign, and on October 15 construction began on the first LGBT community center in Charlotte.

The Center officially opened on February 1, 2003 with a dedication ceremony that included more than a dozen community speakers, a ribbon cutting and the unveiling of a commissioned work of art for The Center by local artists Willie Little and John W. Love, Jr.

Many dedicated volunteers have worked on this project since April 1999, and over 400 people participated in town meetings and discussions in 1999 and 2000. It was their expression of enthusiasm that kept each committee working toward the goal of having a permanent Center. The Center was first located for five years on Central Avenue.  In early 2008, The Center relocated to its current location at the North Carolina Music Factory in the Fourth Ward of Uptown Charlotte.