Gulf Coast LGBTQ+ Center

The Gulf Coast LGBTQ+ Center, known simply as The Center, is the community home for LGBTQIA+ people in Bay County and along Florida's Northwest Gulf Coast. Founded as the LGBTQ Center of Bay County and now operating under its regional name, it exists to enhance and sustain the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, asexual, intersex, queer, nonbinary and questioning people by creating community, empowering members, providing essential resources, advocating for civil and human rights, and celebrating LGBTQIA+ culture.

Young people are at the heart of the work. The Center operates the only dedicated all-inclusive LGBTQIA+ and straight-allied youth program in the Florida Panhandle. The Youth Group meets weekly for teens ages 13 to 18, and preteens ages 10 to 12 are welcome with a parent's consent. The invitation is simple: bring yourself and come as you are. Every other week, a Young Adults Group gives people ages 18 to 25 a place to meet friends and find their footing.

Support groups serve the wider community. The Transgender Support Group meets every other week as a space for transgender people to talk freely about their own experiences. Each month, the Ally and Family Support Group helps parents, relatives and friends learn and grow as supporters and advocates. Each month, the Adult Potluck brings people together over shared dishes.

The Center also organizes Northwest Florida Pride. Each June brings a run of events across Panama City, including the NWFL Pride Fest Comedy Show co-hosted with Panama City Comedy, an Art Market and Block Party showcasing LGBTQ+ and ally artists downtown, and a drag brunch to close out the month. The Northwest Florida Pride Fest has also filled Aaron Bessant Park in the fall, and local artists are invited each year to submit the official Pride artwork.

Advocacy and visibility continue all year. Each June, The Center partners with the LEAD Coalition and the NAACP for Gay the Hathaway: March for Social Justice at the Hathaway Bridge. Each spring it hosts a GSA Prom open to high school students from across the Gulf Coast, and it co-presents Out in the South with FSU Panama City. Members ride in the KOSA Mardi Gras Parade in historic St. Andrews, the Lynn Haven July 4th parade and holiday parades, and the Center hosts food drives and community suppers.

The Center is open by appointment and for events, and email or its text-only line is the best way to connect for tours, group information or volunteering. Volunteers help set up and run Pride, food drives and community events; adults 25 and older can become youth group facilitators after a background check and training; and new board members receive free training through CenterLink. Donations are accepted through Zeffy, Donorbox, or by check.