Persad Center

01/16/2026

What if one training could change how safe someone feels for the rest of their life? 💜

That’s what we hear again and again through Persad’s LGBTQ+ training programs. People come in expecting information — and leave with understanding, confidence, and the tools to show up differently for q***r and trans lives. Not because they were lectured, but because they were met with honesty, care, and humanity.

At Persad Center, training isn’t just about knowledge. It’s about creating safer classrooms, workplaces, and communities where LGBTQ+ people don’t have to explain themselves to survive. Every informed educator, supervisor, and leader becomes part of a larger safety net — one that reduces harm, increases belonging, and helps healing happen long before crisis ever does.

When people learn better, they do better.

And when they do better, lives feel safer.

That’s the impact of affirming LGBTQ+ education.

That’s the work Persad is proud to do.

Learn more about Persad’s LGBTQ+ training programs:
👉 https://www.persadcenter.org/training

01/16/2026

If you're looking to do some remodeling, give Brianna's Mobile Workshop a call. They are a q***r-owned and operated business serving Allegheny County with high-quality, inclusive home repair and renovation services. For more info, click the link below.

Q***r contracting & repair service here to service needs the needs of the q***r community and allies. Schedule a consultation today! email us at Briannasmobileworkshop@gmail.com.

01/14/2026

🌈Welcome to the world of OWLs – our LGBTQ+ 50+ community! 🦉 Sip on steaming cups of joy, laugh till tears escape, and savor cozy conversations surrounded by awesome friends at Persad Center! 💫

Join our weekly gathering of Older Wiser Leaders every Thursday from 10am-noon at Persad Center and embark on a journey of friendship, laughter, and connection. 🌟

Questions? Call 412-441-9786 or just stop by and get ready for an incredible experience! 🥳 See you soon at Persad Center!



Image description: A pride flag inspired Persad OWLS promo featuring images from Persad OWLs gathering.

01/12/2026

“I’m not becoming a woman — I’m giving up pretending to be a man.” — Rev. Phillipa Phaneuf

Coming out is rarely easy. Coming out in a pulpit, before a congregation, while carrying faith, leadership, and vulnerability all at once — that takes courage rooted in truth. When Rev. Phillipa Phaneuf shared her transition with her church, she didn’t just name her identity — she named a universal longing: the right to live honestly, safely, and with joy.

For many transgender people, especially those navigating faith, family, and community, authenticity comes with risk. Rejection can coexist with care. Support can be uneven. And yet, as Rev. Phaneuf reminds us, choosing to live as your full self can also bring something powerful: peace. Healing. The first moments of real happiness after years of pretending.

At Persad Center, we believe no one should have to choose between who they are and the spaces they love. Every trans person deserves care that affirms their identity, honors their journey, and creates room for joy — even when the world makes that path harder than it should be. Living truthfully isn’t selfish. It’s life-saving.

🔗 Source: People Magazine —



Image description: LGBTQ+ Positive news featuring pastor coming out as transgender.

01/09/2026

“Grief doesn’t follow a calendar.”

In this New Year’s clip, Anderson Cooper reminds us of something many people feel but rarely hear out loud: the holidays can hurt — and that doesn’t mean anything is wrong with you.

Grief asks to be witnessed. Not rushed. Not minimized. Just held with care. 💜

If this season feels heavy, if joy feels complicated, if January feels lonelier than December — you are not alone. You never were.

And if you’re longing for a place where your story can be shared safely, therapy can be one gentle way to begin. Our culturally affirming counselors offer steady, compassionate support — at your pace, in your time.
✨ When you’re ready, pre-registration is open at persadcenter.org/pre-register.
No pressure. Just a door, quietly open.

01/08/2026

Just a few spots remain for Persad's exclusive 8-week TransParent program. This 8-week program, which begins on Wednesday, January 14 is for parents, family and support people of Transgender kids. You so not need to be a Persad client. To register or for more visit info@persadcenter.org

01/07/2026

🌈 Seeking Trans Support Services? Look no further! 🌟 Join Persad Center, your trusted ally with decades of experience empowering transindividuals. Our mission? Fostering vibrant, healthy, and connected lives for all. 💖

Ready to find your community? Dive into our Transparent Group, a nurturing space for parents, family members, and supporters of transgender and gender non-conforming children. Or join TransTastix, where transgender and gender non-conforming teens find solace, support, and encouragement. 🌟

At Persad Center, we're not just a service provider – we're a family. Together, let's uplift, empower, and celebrate the diversity of LGBTQ+ communities. 🌈 Join us in creating a world where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. 💪

For inquiries contact: info@persadcenter.org

01/07/2026

January is Mental Wellness Month, a time to focus on actionable tips while also be open to learning new skills and help reduce stigma about mental health. Here are a few tips to try this week:

* Mindful Minutes: Take 5-10 minutes for deep breathing, meditation, or simply being present to calm your nervous system.
* Digital Detox: Reduce consumption of news, social media, and other content to combat overstimulation.
* Movement: Aim for 30 mins of activity, even short bursts, to boost your mood and help your sleep
* Positivity: Write down 3-5 things you're grateful for daily, focusing on positive aspects.
* Self-Check-in: Briefly assess your emotions and coping mechanisms each day. Ask yourself: How am I feeling right now? What does my body need?, What am I grateful for today?, Are my needs being met? What self-care action can I take?, What can I celebrate about myself or my progress?

01/06/2026

As we step into a new year, we’re carrying more than a calendar change — we’re carrying survival, resilience, and every version of ourselves that refuses to disappear. For LGBTQ+ people, hope isn’t naïve — it’s practiced. It’s choosing to wake up, love, heal, and keep showing up even when the world feels heavy.

As Audre Lorde reminded us, “When we speak, we are afraid our words will not be heard nor welcomed. But when we are silent, we are still afraid. So it is better to speak.” This year, may we keep choosing presence over erasure, care over isolation, and community over silence.

At Persad Center, hope is built through connection — through affirming mental health care, shared strength, and the reminder that you never have to carry this alone. The fight to live fully and safely is still here. So are we. And that matters.

***rResilience

Image description: Persad message of hope featuring hands holding LGBTQ+ flag.

01/04/2026

Want to keep up to date on what our Persad OWLS group is doing? Click here https://tinyurl.com/2jnubxxb to subscribe to our newsletter and mailing list.

01/01/2026

New year, new intentions ✨

January is National Mental Wellness month.

Let's pledge to take care of our mental health, set healthy boundaries, and practice self-care without guilt. Growth doesn’t have to be rushed—sometimes it starts with choosing peace and being kind to yourself. 💛

12/31/2025

Happy New Year!

This year, all of us at Persad are wishing everyone calm minds, supportive people, and the grace to be human. Take care of yourselves—you matter. We are always here, and just one phone call away.