by Dex Lewis
The Pride Community Center is officially on-site at 1204 NW 10th Ave., and our focus has shifted to preparing for its public opening. Moving into the building was huge, but our work is far from finished. Our ongoing capital campaign has seen incredible initial success, raising $120,000 so far, but we still have a long way to go. We are working to unlock matching funds and secure financial support to pay for crucial facility renovations.
Our daily tasks involve managing infrastructure setup, and finalizing facility plans alongside our two local nonprofit partners, Camp Silver, and Unspoken Treasure Society.
Our primary structural priority is installing a proper wheelchair ramp. Ensuring full physical accessibility is non-negotiable for our organization, but the logistics and engineering requirements mean this project will be a substantial expense.
This ramp is a major component of the building renovations we still need to fund. If you have expertise in accessible design, local contracting, or structural engineering, or can help us close the gap to unlock our matching campaign funds, we welcome your support.
North Central Florida June Pride events
While renovation work continues, organizing and community events are in full swing for June. Because new events are added daily, follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates.
- Ocala Pride Gathering, Saturday, June 6, 1-4pm (for precise details and more information, visit www.ocalap-flag.org.)
- Queer Makers Market, Sunday, June 7, 11am-3pm, Location TBD
- Theatre Connect Student Showcase (Family Pride Days), Tuesday, June 9, 6-8pm, Heartwood Soundstage
- Pride Party, Market, and Drag Show, Saturday, June 13, Time TBD, First Magnitude Brewing Company
- Gainesville Pride Month “KICK”OFF & Field Day, Sunday, June 14, 4-8pm, Heartwood Soundstage
- Nourishing Connections: Intergenerational Pride Social, Saturday, June 20, 5pm, Goldenrod Parlor
- Theatre Connect Cosplay Karaoke, Tuesday, June 30, 6-9pm, Heartwood Soundstage
- Self Narrative’s Storytelling Meetup: Stories of Pride, Tuesday, June 30, 7:30pm, The Bull
Next Steps
Securing a permanent building is a historic step for Gainesville’s progressive and LGBTQ+ communities, providing a dedicated space for equity, safety, and mutual aid. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has donated, volunteered, or supported this transition so far.
To help us finish the renovations and unlock matching funds, please consider making a contribution to the building fund. We will keep the community updated on our progress and our opening timeline. We hope to see you out supporting these local events in June. Pride Center Building Fund: tinyurl.com/iguana2508.