All-Inclusive Oakland LGBTQ Center To Open In Lakeshore

All-Inclusive Oakland LGBTQ Center To Open In LakeshoreHeadquarters of the new Oakland LGBTQ Center. | Photo: Cirrus Wood/Hoodline
Cirrus Wood
Published on August 23, 2017

Opening on September 7, the founders of Oakland LGBTQ Community Center (3207 Lakeshore Ave.) claim their new space is the first multi-ethnic, multi-generational hub to serve the city's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer citizens.

“It’s kind of like a lighthouse,” said executive director and co-founder Joe Hawkins.

The center is located at the corner of Lakeshore and Lake Park Avenues, in the space currently occupied by startup Co-Munity.

A T-Mobile store that occupies the first floor draws the eye, but more recently, the flyers and rainbow flags adorning the second- and third-story windows have attracted early supporters, said Hawkins.

He recounted only one early incident of resistance, when two men tried to damage one of the center's sidewalk signs. He said he wasn't convinced prejudice had anything to do with the scuffle, but announcing the center's arrival in the neighborhood was important.

“Many people don’t understand that those flags are a beacon at a time when hate is at its height,” said Hawkins, who added that many passersby stop and take selfies with the sign.

In a few cases, emotional visitors sought out Hawkins to express their gratitude that Oakland will have an all-inclusive LGBTQ center.

Joe Hawkins, co-founder and Executive Director of the Oakland LGBTQ Center. | Photo: Cirrus Wood/Hoodline

Hawkins said he and co-founder Jeff Meyers hope to create a space where all LGBTQ individuals feel welcome, regardless of race, age, income, physical ability, or housing status.

“We’re working with a huge number of people to create the services we need,” said Hawkins.

Many programs will be tailored to specific demographics within the LGBTQ community, such as elder services, food-security programs, disability services, and African-American, Asian, and Latino support groups.

The center will also offer services for transgender individuals and youth programming. “There are a lot of homeless youth around the lake,” said Hawkins. “It’s estimated that forty percent of the homeless youth in this state are LGBTQ.”

A presentation in the common room of the Oakland LGBTQ Center. | Photo: Joe Hawkins

Hawkins said many qualified people to lead programs were already living in the East Bay, and community support for the center has been overwhelmingly positive, but paying the rent is their largest obstacle.

As the main tenant of the second and third floors, the center will sublease space to other nonprofits, but future budgets are balanced more on hopes than dollars, Hawkins acknowledged.

Rent is $5,000 a month; in these early days, Hawkins and Meyers are supporting the center out of pocket.

“It’s up to the community to say that this is something that we need,” said Hawkins. "But I just don’t think the community is going to not support this.”

The Oakland LGBTQ Center will be open Monday through Saturday, with drop-in hours beginning at noon. Consult calendar for details.