About Us

Our history

Years of Journey

Our story begins as a response to the need for safe spaces for the gay community to gather and to have accessible, quality, non-judgmental information and services. Every day we feel more proud of what we have built over the years. What began as a safe space to gather, share, support, and grow has grown into many areas that also serve the purpose of making us visible and strengthening us as a community.
  1. Our history begins on November 27, 1978, when the non-profit organization Gay Community Services (GCS) for safe space meetups was created.

    Later that year, Gay Men’s Hotline was formed. The number was 407-THE-GAYS and was staffed by volunteers. Gay men could call for referrals, mental health counseling, and up-to-date information on GCS meetups.

  2. In 1980, women joined GCS, and the organization was renamed Gay & Lesbian Community Services (GLCS).
  3. The focus of GLCS and the Gay Men’s Hotline shifts to health and HIV/AIDS care. Our services to the community keep expanding.

  4. The organization moves to 1036 N. Mills Avenue. We have more and more presence and visibility!

  5. By 1990, GLCS reincorporates as Gay, Lesbian & Bisexual Community Center of Central Florida (GLBCC-The Center), so the organization continues to grow, both in terms of human platform and infrastructure.

  6. In 1999, The Center purchased 942 and 946 N. Mills Avenue.
  7. In 2007, the organization changed its name to Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center of Central Florida, Inc. (GLBTCC).

  8. In 2014, the organization ventured to offer services with mobile units.

  9. The Pulse Tragedy occurs in Orlando. President Obama called the Center “Ground Zero for community healing.”

  10. Eleven years later, in 2018, the organization changed its name to LGBT+ Center Orlando, Inc. (The Center Orlando) and opened The Center Kissimmee.

  11. Subsequently, in 2020, the Center partners with AHF to provide testing at Out of the Closet (AHF).

  12. By 2021, the Center has been chosen to oversee Orlando United Assistance Center (now OURS), expand health services, and opens its second downtown location on Hillcrest Street.

Staff & Board

Meet the Team

The Center’s team works actively for the visibility and exercise of the rights of the LGBT+ community. Our staff is highly sensitized to issues that affect the LGBT+ community and actively works for a more just and inclusive world. In this way, The Center is a safe and non-judgmental space where people can feel free to express themselves as they are.

Chief Executive Officer

George A. Wallace

he.him

Chief Executive Officer

Senior Leadership

Keyna Harris

she.her

Chief Health Equity Officer

Marshall Turner

he.him

Chief Impact & Programs Officer

Amanda Phillips

she.her

Chief Development Officer

Darrell Lake

he.him

Chief Human Resources Officer

Nikole Parker

she/her/hers

Chief Operations Officer

Health Services Staff

Lamia Moukaadam

she.they

Outreach Manager

Victoria Ngo

she.they

Lead HIV Tester – Out of the Closet

Jermaine Brown, EdD

he.him

Lead HIV Tester – Out of the Closet

Rick Kann

he.him

HIV Program Coordinator

Rasheeda Phox

she.her

Lead HIV Tester – Out of the Closet

OURS Staff

Jesse Arias

he.him

Director of OURS

Kynthia Arrington

she.her

Administrative Assistant & Data Entry Manager

Gabriella Rodriguez

she.her

Case Manager / Victim Advocate

Christopher Grant

he.him

OURS Case Manager

Jovan Bodrato

he.him

OURS Case Manager

Program and Support Staff

Eli Berrios

he.him

Director of Marketing

Jorge Lanza

he.him

Kissimmee Operations Manager

Tim Collins

he.him

OWL Coordinator

Corey Mahon

he.him

Outreach Coordinator
La Jon Dantzler

La Jon Dantzler

he.him

Individual Giving Manager

Maia Monet

she.her

Transgender Resource Manager

Nicole Sorenson

she/her

Volunteer Coordinator

Joe Folsom

he/him/his

Pride Pantry Coordinator

Board of Directors

Executive Committee

Danny Garcia

he.him

President
Watermark Publishing

Grace Peek-Harris

she.her

Vice President
Retired, City of Orlando

Marc Espeso

he.him

Secretary
Orange County Government

Directors

Veronica Woodard

she.her

Edward Jones

Jerry Warner

he.him

Orlando Health

Brandon Llewelyn

he.him

SAVOY Orlando

Temika L. Hampton-Johnson, Esq

she/her/hers

Temika L. Hampton Law

Brian Reagan

he.him

Alexandria Restaurant Group

Justin Gaetzmeyer PE

he.him

Walt Disney World

Rebecca Desir

she.her

Advent Health

Mark Pawsey

he.him

The Imagination House

Daniel Blumberg

he.him

Universal Studios/Comcast

Lee Cohen

they/them

Lee Cohen Comedy

Chris Larson

he/him/his

Imber Services

Shannon McElroy

she/her/hers

Orlando Health
LGBT+ Center Orlando, Inc. is a 501C registered charity. Our FEIN is 59-1884445.

In the State of Florida, our registration number for solicitations is CH11373. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling 1-800-435-7352 within the State of Florida. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the State of Florida.

LGBT+ Center Orlando, Inc. has an endowment fund held at Central Florida Foundation.

For a copy of any previous years 990 or audited financial documents, please visit our public Guidestar portrait here: Central Florida Foundation (nonprofit-search.org).

Translate »
General Information
  • I hereby enter into this contract with LGBT+ Center Orlando, Inc. for the use of and have fully read and understood all rules and regulations governing the use of the facility.
  • I understand that the rental fee is per hour and agree to pay all fees prior to space usage.
  • I understand that LGBT+ Center Orlando, Inc. does not offer refunds.
  • I understand that I will be held financially responsible for any damage made to the facilities, appliances, furniture, or equipment.
  • I understand that I will be held responsible for the behavior of the group organization’s membership and its guests.
  • I understand that LGBT+ Center Orlando, Inc. may cancel the use of the facility if I or any persons in my group/organization do not comply with the user agreement and the guidelines.
Skip to content