A personal reflection on community, visibility, and the power of LGBTQ+ spaces

When I first walked through the doors of Center on Halsted, I didn’t fully realize how deeply that decision would shape my life. I signed up to volunteer because I wanted to give back. What I didn’t expect was how much I would gain in return: confidence, belonging, education, and a deeper connection to the LGBTQ+ community than I had ever felt before.

Center on Halsted isn’t just a building. It’s a living, breathing hub of care, creativity, advocacy, and connection—and for many people in Chicago, it’s a lifeline.

A Cornerstone of the LGBTQ+ Community in Chicago

Located in the Lakeview neighborhood at the corner of Halsted Street and Waveland Avenue, Center on Halsted stands as one of the largest LGBTQ+ community centers in the Midwest. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., the center welcomes LGBTQ+ people and allies into a space that is inclusive, affirming, and intentionally designed to meet real needs.

The building itself is impressive: a 175,000-square-foot, LEED-certified facility that opened in 2007 after a $20 million capital campaign supported by more than 2,000 donors. Anchored by Whole Foods Market and supported by the City of Chicago, the center represents what’s possible when community and civic leadership come together with purpose. The Richard M. Daley Rooftop Garden stands as a visible reminder of that partnership.

But the true heart of the center isn’t the architecture—it’s the people inside.

From Gay Horizons to Center on Halsted: A Legacy of Service

The organization’s roots go back to 1973, when it began as Gay Horizons, founded by volunteers determined to create safe, affirming services for LGBTQ+ people at a time when such spaces were rare and often risky. Over time, it evolved into Horizons Community Services, expanding its mission and reach.

In 2003, the organization officially became Center on Halsted, preserving the core programming that served the community while envisioning new ways to support LGBTQ+ lives across generations, identities, and experiences. That legacy of volunteer-driven care is still very much alive today—and being part of it changed how I see myself and my community.

What It’s Like to Volunteer at an LGBTQ+ Community Center

Volunteering at Center on Halsted gave me a front-row seat to the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community. Every day, I encountered people at different stages of life and self-discovery: young people finding their voice, seniors finding connection, families building support networks, and individuals seeking safety, healthcare, or simply a place to belong.

What struck me most was how normalized care and affirmation felt there. Queer joy wasn’t an exception—it was expected. Conversations about mental health, HIV prevention, gender identity, aging, and relationships happened openly and without shame.

Volunteering helped me move from being adjacent to the LGBTQ+ community to being fully immersed in it. I learned how essential these centers are, especially for people who may not feel safe or seen anywhere else.

Programs That Truly Meet People Where They Are

Center on Halsted offers an extraordinary range of programs and services, many of which are open to the public:

Athletic and Wellness Programs
A full gymnasium hosts basketball, volleyball, hockey, yoga, and other recreational leagues, serving hundreds of community members every week.

Arts and Culture
The center’s theater and gallery spaces host art exhibitions, film screenings, dance, and live performances, drawing thousands of attendees each year and showcasing LGBTQ+ voices and stories.

Mental Health and Support Services
Individual, group, and family counseling is offered on a sliding scale, with thousands of clinical hours provided annually. Support groups address topics like coming out, grief, HIV, recovery, and domestic violence.

HIV, STI, and Sexual Health Services
Free, confidential HIV testing and counseling serve thousands of people each year, alongside the Illinois AIDS/HIV & STD Hotline, which supports callers across the Midwest.

Youth, Senior, and Affinity Programs
From leadership development and housing support for youth to meal programs and social outings for seniors, the center supports LGBTQ+ people across the lifespan.

Legal and Anti-Violence Services
Free legal consultations and the Anti-Violence Project provide advocacy, therapy, and court support for survivors of abuse and violence within the LGBTQ+ community.

Volunteering allowed me to see how these services intersect. Someone might come in for a yoga class and leave with access to mental health support. Another might arrive for HIV testing and find a support group that changes their life.

Why LGBTQ+ Community Centers Matter More Than Ever

In a world where LGBTQ+ rights and visibility are still contested, centers like Center on Halsted provide more than services—they provide safety, education, and dignity. They are spaces where people don’t have to explain or defend who they are.

Volunteering helped me understand that community care is not abstract. It’s practical. It’s showing up. It’s creating environments where people can explore identity, relationships, health, and pleasure without fear or stigma.

Supporting Sexual Health and Pleasure Safely

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At After Dark Treasures, we support LGBTQ+ wellness with products that prioritize safety, consent, and inclusivity, such as:

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These tools aren’t just about pleasure—they’re about autonomy, confidence, and care, values that align closely with the mission of LGBTQ+ community centers.

A Call to Get Involved in Your Local LGBTQ+ Center

Volunteering at Center on Halsted didn’t just change how I saw the LGBTQ+ community—it changed how I saw myself within it. It reminded me that visibility matters, that care is powerful, and that showing up can ripple outward in ways you don’t expect.

No matter where you live, there is likely an LGBTQ+ center in your city or region doing this vital work. Take the time to learn about it. Volunteer. Donate. Attend an event. Recommend it to someone who might need it.

I did - and it truly changed my life.

Center on Halsted stands as proof that when community comes together, real change happens. It is a place where healing begins, friendships form, and people discover who they are allowed to be. Volunteering there opened my eyes, strengthened my pride, and reminded me that belonging is something we build together.

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Written by: Bobby Newberry
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