The coronavirus crisis has brought much of society to a screeching halt, but many organizations will continue to provide the essential services that are necessary for LGBTQ communities in New York City and the surrounding region.
Below is a list as of March 20 — with details subject to change — of the state of health and social services for many queer folks across Greater New York. The services range from health and wellness to food distribution and programs. Some organizations are providing services on a limited basis, others are offering remote services, and certain ones are shutting down operations indefinitely
Ali Forney Center: Open, but outside groups and volunteers will not be permitted to visit.
Apicha Community Health Center: No COVID-19 testing is available and walk-ins are not accepted at this time. Those who wish to make an appointment should call 212-334-6029; if nobody picks up, leave a message and your call will be returned by the end of the day.
Anti-Violence Project: Offices closed effective March 16 through at least April 20, but 24/ 7 English/ Spanish hotline at 12-714-1141) remains up and running to provide counseling, safety planning, and help finding medical care.
BOOM Health: All services and locations were open as of March 16. It is not clear whether that remains the case. Phone calls seeking clarification on the BOOM Health’s status were not returned on March 20.
Brooklyn Community Pride Center: Closed indefinitely effective March 14. A reception line will be answered by remote staff seven days a week between noon and 5pm for those seeking referrals or other information.
Callen-Lorde Community Health Center: Callen-Lorde is reducing non-essential procedures, meetings, and groups; increasing the amount of nurses and providers speaking with patients by phone; and providing limited in-person visits. Folks are asked to call first.
Services have been centralized to the 356 West 18th Street location from Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. The schedule for visits for those with urgent symptoms or in-person care will be Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., but patients will be screened by phone. Those scheduled for routine appointments will receive a phone call the day of their appointment. New patients are not being accepted at this time.
Pharmacy hours will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday in Chelsea and the Bronx, but those who need prescriptions can get them delivered with Callen-Lorde’s free delivery service.
Destination Tomorrow: The Bronx LGBT Center: Closed through the end of March. Programs, drop-in services, meetings, events, and groups are cancelled until further notice.
Fortune Society: The Fortune Society announced on March 18 that it is open and would continue providing services. Attempts were unsuccessful to reach the organization by phone on March 20 to double-check the status of operations.
Gay Men’s Health Crisis: GMHC has closed building operations. Some services will be provided remotely via phone and video conferencing, according to CEO Kelsey Louie. The organization had distributed nearly 1,600 meals in frozen five-meal packets in the days up to March 17. The specifics of GMHC’s future food distribution services during the coronavirus crisis is unclear; for further information see this story.
God’s Love We Deliver: GLWD is currently providing shelf-stable meal bags with enough food for a week.
Griot Circle: In-person operations are suspended and the office is closed indefinitely. Griot Circle will call members weekly to check on them and coordinate with a case manager to provide resources.
Harlem United: Some services have been suspended and the hours have changed for other services. See full details at https://www.harlemunited.org/coronavirus/
Hetrick-Martin Institute: Food distribution has been suspended for now due to logistical issues. Check the organization’s website for the latest updates.
Housing Works: Shops were closed March 16, but clinics and housing facilities remain open.
Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center: Groups and activities suspended until March 31; 2020 gala postponed.
Immigration Equality: Offices closed; legal assistance and meetings with clients will be conducted via phone.
Jewish Board LGBT Counseling Unit: Open.
Latino Commission on AIDS: The group continutes to “provide our services with flexible times and adaptations to meet our community needs.” Staff members are being offered remote work options and the team is working to ensure clients know where they can receive medical care without fear.
LGBT Community Center, Manhattan: Closed indefinitely, but the information and referral team is operating virtual front desks from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday at 212-620-7310.
LGBT Network: Locations in Long Island City, Hauppauge, and Sag Harbor closed indefinitely effective March 13.
The LOFT (Westchester): In-person groups and drop-in services suspended through March 31; peer support groups will be carried out online and via phone.
Newburgh LGBTQ Center: In-person programs suspended until April (no date specified); virtual programs will be offered.
facebook.com/newburghlgbtqcenter
Pride Center of Staten Island: Closed through March 23.
Queens Community House: Programs are scaled back or temporarily suspended. See a more specific breakdown at the Community House website.
Safe Horizon: Domestic violence shelters and Streetwork Project locations are open; other offices and programs are closed, but teams are working remotely. For a complete breakdown, see the link below.
safehorizon.org/emergency
SAGE Centers across New York City: Closed through the end of March; all March events postponed. Check the group’s website for updates on food/ meals distribution hours at different locations.
Sylvia Rivera Law Project: Closed through March 30.
Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund: Closed through April 1, but legal assistance and meetings with clients will be conducted virtually.
