LGBT Life Center

02/06/2026

Black history is American history.

This month, LGBT Life Center will be honoring Black History Month by uplifting Black leaders, thinkers, advocates, and community members whose work has shaped our past and continues to shape our future.

Black contributions to this country touch every part of our lives, from culture and art to science, healthcare, labor, and civil rights. For our community in particular, Black LGBTQ+ people have led movements for justice, care, and dignity, often without recognition or protection.

Throughout February, we’ll be sharing stories that reflect that truth. Not just history, but living legacies. Not just struggle, but leadership, creativity, and impact.

Because honoring Black history means recognizing where we’ve been, who we are, and what it takes to build a future rooted in dignity for all.

02/06/2026

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Black communities continue to shoulder a disproportionate impact of HIV, not because of individual choices, but because of long-standing inequities in healthcare access, housing stability, income, and trust in systems that have too often failed us.

Today is about more than awareness. It’s about action. It’s about making sure Black people can access testing without fear, treatment without barriers, and care that is affirming, consistent, and rooted in dignity.

Ending HIV requires investing in Black communities, listening to lived experience, and addressing the conditions that shape health long before someone ever walks into a clinic.

At LGBT Life Center, this work is ongoing, every day.

Because equity is the practice. Care is the outcome. Come in, get tested, know your status: lgbtilfecenter.org/testing.

02/05/2026

Teaching Trans Folx to Thrive

Join us for a day centered on trans joy, resilience, and real-world tools for thriving.
This gathering brings together trans and gender-expansive community members for learning, connection, and shared wisdom. We’ll focus on building skills, strengthening support, and creating space where trans lives are affirmed and valued.

Date: February 28
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: 5360 Robin Hood Road, Suite 202, Norfolk, VA

Participants will receive a financial incentive for attendance.

Registration is required: https://forms.office.com/r/e05UCb2V81

Questions?
Anjeni Moore
amoore@lgbtlifecenter.org
757-640-0929 ext. 321

02/05/2026

WAVY News chatted with us about our upcoming food drive and Know Your Rights immigration trainings.

These efforts reflect what we do every day: meeting basic needs like food security while equipping people with information that keeps them safe and informed.

Watch the full story here: https://www.wavy.com/video/lgbt-life-food-drive-and-know-your-rights/11491857/

https://www.wavy.com/

02/05/2026

Know Your Rights: Immigration Training

Being informed can make a real difference. Join us for a Know Your Rights training focused on immigration, designed to help community members understand what to do if you or someone you know is approached by immigration officials.

These sessions will cover practical information, safety-focused guidance, and your rights in real-world situations. This training is open to community members, allies, and anyone who wants to be better prepared and informed.

Training Dates & Locations:

📅 February 12
📍 1425 Norchester Ave., Norfolk, VA
🕠 Evening session at 5:30 PM

📅 February 21
📍 5360 Robin Hood Rd., Norfolk, VA
🕙 10:00 AM
🕛 12:00 PM
🕑 2:00 PM
🕓 4:00 PM

Come to the session that works best for you. You do not need to attend all sessions.

Questions or need more information?
📧 shri.icerapidresponseteam@proton.me

Hosted by LGBT Life Center in partnership with South Hampton Roads Indivisible.

02/04/2026

On Monday, our staff showed up at the State Capitol for Equality Virginia's Advocacy Day.

For some folks, this was their first lobby day. It was eye-opening, grounding, and a reminder of how much intention and persistence it takes to advocate for our community at the state level. Standing alongside others fighting for their rights made the day even more meaningful.

We’re especially proud of our staff for the way they showed up in partnership with Equality Virginia, advocating not only for LGBT Life Center, but for nonprofits across Virginia. From trans rights to HIV advocacy to equitable access to care, our issues were clearly and powerfully represented.

To everyone who took the time to be there: thank you. This is what showing up for each other looks like.

02/03/2026

At LGBT Life Center, dignity isn’t a slogan; it’s something people deserve from the moment they walk through our doors.

Curt shares his story and what it means to find support, stability, and community during moments that can feel isolating or overwhelming.

His experience reflects the heart of our work across Hampton Roads: meeting people where they are, respecting who they are, and helping them move forward with care and compassion. Every story like Curt’s reminds us why access to housing, healthcare, and community support matters and why dignity must always come first.

Learn more about our work and how you can support LGBTQ+ people in our community at lgbtlifecenter.org.

02/03/2026

Respecting Students Starts with Respecting Identity

Our Deputy Director of Client Services, Koy Adams, spoke with WAVY News about the recent court ruling that teachers cannot use religion to refuse using a student’s pronouns.

At LGBT Life Center, we know that affirming a young person’s identity—including the pronouns they use —is not just a policy issue, it’s a matter of dignity and safety. Schools should be spaces where every student feels seen, respected, and able to learn without harm.

Thank you to Koy for representing the values of inclusion and care that guide our work every day.

👉 Read/watch the full story: https://www.wavy.com/news/local-news/teacher-cant-use-religion-to-object-to-identity-pronouns-court-rules/

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (WAVY) — A federal appeals court has ruled against a teacher who sued the local school system after she refused to honor students’ preferred identity pronouns. The ruli…

01/29/2026

🚨 Final Reminder — Jan. 29!

Join us for our 3rd Annual State of the Center — an evening to reflect, connect, and look ahead for LGBTQ+ communities in Hampton Roads.

This year, we’re closing with a community panel conversation bringing together voices from across our region’s LGBTQ+ advocacy, pride, leather/kink, sports, and DEI leadership. If you’ve ever wondered where our community is headed — this is the room to be in.

Panel Participants:

✨ Lynn Harling — Ms. VA Leather, Secretary for Knight Hawks of VA, Head Facilitator of Hampton Roads Community MUNCH

🏳️‍🌈 Nathan Ruckman — Commissioner of Stonewall Sports Norfolk

🏳️‍⚧️ Liz Carlton — Board Member, Transgender Assistance Program of Virginia

🌈 Hannah Barber — Vice President, Hampton Roads Pride

🤝 Devon Trotter — Board Member, LGBT Life Center & DEI Program Administrator, City of Newport News

Moderated by:
🎤 Cbelle Fernandez — Development Director, LGBT Life Center

Together, we’ll talk about where we’ve been, what we’re facing, and how we move forward.

📅 Thursday, January 29
🕕 6:00 – 8:00 PM
📍 Little Theatre of Virginia Beach
🍹 Mocktails & light bites provided
🎟 Free and open to all

Whether you’re part of Pride, Stonewall, leather/kink communities, advocacy networks, or simply care about LGBTQ+ belonging — we want you in the room.

RSVP: https://bit.ly/3O9mIY8

Life Demands Dignity. Community makes it possible.

01/29/2026

We’re closing early to gather in community.

All LGBT Life Center locations will close at 5 PM on Thursday, January 29
for our State of the Center event.

There's still time to join us at The State of the Center. RSVP here: https://bit.ly/3O9mIY8

Regular hours resume Friday, January 30.