Foundations of Change
Building on over 40 years of LGBTQ+ advocacy to create spaces where every identity is celebrated and every community member can thrive.
Mission
Center on Halsted advances community and secures the health and well-being of the LGBTQ people of Chicagoland and throughout the Midwest.
Vision
A thriving lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community, living powerfully in supportive inclusive environments.
A legacy of service
Four Decades of Building LGBTQ+ Community
Though Center on Halsted's building opened in 2007, our history goes back much further. We were known as Horizons Community Services, the Midwest's largest LGBTQ social service agency. We are proud of our legacy of advocacy, support, and educational services—the same services that helped form the core of Center on Halsted's programming.
Commitment to Inclusion
Racial Equity Statement
Center on Halsted is a catalyst advocating for racial equity for all LGBTQ individuals, allies, and their intersectional identities. With our partners we fight racism, bias, and hate. We commit to take intentional action, remain humble, defend equitable policy-making, and seek accountability in the collective effort to foster resilient communities.
HONORING THE LAND AND ITS STEWARDS
We Are All on Native Land
Center on Halsted, Center on Cottage Grove, and Center on Addison are located on the traditional unceded homelands of the Council of the Three Fires: the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi Nations. Many other Nations consider this area their traditional homeland, including the Myaamia, Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Sac and Fox, Peoria, Kaskaskia, Wea, Kickapoo, and Mascouten. We honor and acknowledge all our ancestors who stewarded these lands and continue to call these lands home.
We honor our commitment to Indigenous rights, racial justice and cultural equity not only through this statement but also in our work to support and welcome all people. Land acknowledgement is not enough, but merely a starting point. We urge you to support Indigenous organizations and engage in educational efforts.
ADVANCING LGBTQ+ KNOWLEDGE
Research That Drives Change
As the most comprehensive LGBTQ community center in the Midwest, Center on Halsted works with institutions and scholars across the country to conduct research on development, physical health, mental health and a wide range of social/emotional needs of LGBTQ members and the community at large. This research is then used by policymakers, social service providers, and advocacy organizations to further advance and secure the health and well-being of the LGBTQ people of Chicagoland.
Stay Informed
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