New Haven Pride Center

The New Haven Pride Center is the LGBTQ+ community center for Greater New Haven. It works to build a stronger, healthier and more connected community by providing programs, services, education, advocacy and opportunities for meaningful connection, and its home at 50 Orange Street describes itself as a place for community, culture and support.

In 2024 and 2025 the Center served more than 15,000 people each year and held more than 350 events annually with the help of more than 100 volunteers. The Food Pantry, Hygiene Pantry and Clothing Closet served about 200 individuals a month, and the Case Management and Support Services program provided more than 5,000 hours of support and assistance to LGBTQ+ community members. The Center's resource guide points neighbors to rental and utility assistance, food programs such as the Connecticut Foodshare Mobile Pantry and the DESK evening soup kitchen, LGBTQ+-affirming health care, and youth programming including the City of New Haven LGBTQ+ Youth Task Force.

In 2026 the community rallied to bring the Center back after a financial crisis, raising the funds to reopen its doors in April. Since then the Center has added six new board members, welcomed Chris Freimuth as Acting Executive Director and Jesse Giorgio as Programs and Operations Manager, and begun planning a Community Needs Assessment for Fall 2026 to learn what LGBTQ+ people across Greater New Haven need and want. The findings will guide coordination with partner organizations, collaborative events, programs and resources, and the work of the Center's volunteers.

New Haven Pride is the Center's signature event. The street festival takes over downtown New Haven at the corner of Orange and Crown Streets on Saturday, October 3, 2026, with an afternoon hosted by Xiomarie Labeija, a DJ circle, live music, dancing, drag performances, larger-than-life puppets, spoken word, games for kids and adults, a Health & Wellness Village, queer vendors, food trucks and local restaurants and bars. Afterparties, a family-friendly tea dance and a recovery brunch follow. Accessibility information is published in advance: main entrances, vendor booths and viewing areas are wheelchair accessible, accessible portable restrooms are on site, trained service animals are welcome, and the lounge inside the Pride Center at 50 Orange Street is open for anyone who needs a quieter place to rest.

Current programs, services and events are announced on the Center's social media while its website calendar is rebuilt. To get involved, email info@newhavenpridecenter.org, fill out the volunteer form, subscribe to the newsletter, or donate online to help keep the lights on.