LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert, Palm Springs

Let us introduce you to a welcoming desert oasis where the Coachella Valley’s LGBTQ community is free to thrive. 

The mission of The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert (the Center) is to provide an open and welcoming environment for all members of the LGBTQ+ family in the Coachella Valley. Through the use of their individual lived experiences and collective power, they host community events, and assistance programs, run a community food bank, offer behavioral health therapy, and various other forms of support in their efforts to create a loving, empowered community where everyone belongs.

Why is it important?

As the only LGBTQ community center in a city that's not only internationally famous for being an LGBTQ+ destination but also has a local population that is 40-50% LGBTQ+, the Center has quite a lot going on. From its many community socials throughout the year, offering fun and interactive programming, running the Regional Food Bank for the Coachella Valley, and offering low-cost behavioral therapy to folks, the Center is deeply involved in many aspects of their community, offering people in Palm Springs the opportunity to get involved in the way that is most perfect for them.

How do they do it?

The Center creates a vibrant community of love and support that stretches beyond its doors, where they strive to meet all members of the LGBTQ community where they are and provide them the services they need to thrive. They achieve this through their core values:

Integrity – doing what is right and standing by their values to support and provide assistance to the LGBTQ Community.

Equity – Caring for the community is of utmost priority, and they will never deny assistance to whoever comes through their doors.

Joy – The Palm Springs community’s happiness is their happiness. They find joy in building the LGBTQ community up and strive to deliver that joy in every aspect at The Center.

How you can #TravelKindly: 

• Choose The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert as your local charity when booking your hotel through Kind Traveler. 
• The Center offers community events and programming all year long, many of which accept walk-ins to be a part of the fun for the day, and a few requiring at least a day's registration notice in advance. Some of these events include game gatherings, LGBTQ+ youth hangouts, and well-being classes including yoga and fitness for those 50+. 
• Join one of the Monthly Center Socials held every 4th Wednesday of the month, which are open to the general public. A full program calendar with their many events can be found here
• There are so many ways to volunteer at the Center; you can mentor other LGBTQ individuals in need of connection through the Buddy2Buddy program, feed families in need in the Community Food Bank at The Center, and help out with other events and programs just to name a few