NEW BEDFORD — Honoring National LGBTQ Center Awareness Day on Oct. 19, means a day dedicated to raising awareness and supporting centers that offer resources to the LGBTQ+ community.
This year, The South Coast LGBTQ+ Network celebrates this day as an opportunity to reflect on their commitment to creating safe and welcoming spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals, their families and allies with an update on their upcoming community center, located on 60 Eighth Street in New Bedford.
They are targeting 2025 for the grand opening of their newest and largest community center. The new building will also serve as the organization’s administrative headquarters.
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“Due to the alarming rise in anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric over the past several years, many in our community have been retreating from social life out of fear for their well-being,” said Eileen Dugas, executive director of The South Coast LGBTQ+ Network.
Despite the ongoing efforts in legislatures to stifle LGBTQ+ rights, a new report from the FBI has shown an alarming increase in hate crimes against the community in the past two years. This only reinforces the need for places where LGBTQ+ individuals can gather freely, speak openly, and simply be themselves.