Mission Statement
The mission of the Pride Community Center of North Central Florida is to offer safe spaces, resources, services and events to foster and enhance the well-being and visibility of LGBTQ+ people in North Central Florida. Visibility changes people’s minds. Here in North Central Florida, LGBTQ+ people deserve access to safe spaces where they can not only express themselves, but where they can also be a part of a community. Come join us.
What We Do
PCCNCF is proud to serve the community!
- We provide meeting facilities and safe-space for LGBTQ+ and Progressive Groups.
- We provide meals and household supplies for people with HIV/AIDS.
- We have a youth group (Gainesville Equality Youth) for LGBTQ+ youth from 13 –17 years.
- We sponsor an internship program for UF and SFC students.
- We host social and educational events for LGBTQ+ family and friends.
- We have an LGBTQ+ resource library and serve as an information hub for the LGBTQ+ community
- We organize the annual Gainesville Pride Festival, parade and other Pride Days events
- And the list continues to grow. . . But we can’t do it without YOU!
History of the Pride Center
On September 13th, 2000, the LGBTQ+ community came together and decided “the time is now” to establish a Community Center in North Central Florida.
The community approved the bylaws, selected the name, and elected the first Board of Directors in February 2001.
In April 2002, we opened the doors at our NW 6th St. Gainesville location.
In October 2003, we expanded the facility and the hours of operation were increased from 4 to 6 days per week.
In September 2007 the center moved into a larger facility at 3131 NW 13th St in Gainesville and services continued to expand.
In January 2008 the center merged with Pride Celebration of Gainesville and began producing Gainesville Pride Days
In 2013, with other groups, we helped pass the inclusion of LGBTQ+ protections in the Alachua County HRO.
In 2015 we hosted the community celebrations when Florida and then the entire country achieved marriage equality.
In 2018 we merged with the Gainesville Area AIDS Project and began providing direct services to people with HIV/AIDS.
In 2019, we raised funds to pay for three rainbow crosswalks to be installed in downtown Gainesville through the city’s “Art in Crosswalks” program in time for National Coming Out Day in October.