QCH LGBTQ+ Programs and Services Lead Queens Pride Celebration

On June 2, Queens Community House (QCH), one of the borough's largest social service organizations, marched down 37th Avenue in Jackson Heights, Queens, for the 32nd Annual New Queens Pride Parade and multicultural festival. QCH gathered over 100 youth, older adults, and neighbors for the festivities.

Leading the organization’s march were QCH’s Queens Center for Gay Seniors (based in Jackson Heights), QCH LGBTQ+ Youth Services, QCH’s Generation Q youth program, and QCH’s intergenerational community center at PS 149Q (also based in Jackson Heights). The festivities kicked off at the Queens Center for Gay Seniors site at 37-06 77th Street, where complimentary breakfast was served in the morning before heading to the 37th Avenue in time for the parade.

Queens Center for Gay Seniors is QCH’s LGBTQ+ older adult center, which provides a culturally-rich environment where older adults can engage with peers, make new friends, enjoy a hot meal, keep physically active, learn new skills and explore new interests, and give back through volunteer opportunities. For the march, QCH accommodated for older adults with mobility issues who wanted to be a part of the parade by having a trolley as an option to ride alongside the marchers.

“QCH is committed to providing a welcome environment where everyone is celebrated for who they are,” said Ben Thomases, QCH Executive Director. “We loved seeing LGBTQ+ youth of our Generation Q program and LGBTQ+ older adults of our Queens Center for Gay Seniors come together to lead the QCH community celebration for Queens Pride.”

At the finish line of the march, QCH welcomed neighbors to a resource table to inform them about available programs and services for Queens individuals and families, while also sharing information about "The People's Money", NYC's annual citywide Participatory Budgeting initiative. Until June 12, New Yorkers ages 11 and older, regardless of immigration status, can vote on how part of the city’s budget will be spent on their communities.

To learn about our LGBTQ+ Youth Services, click here.

To learn about our Queens Center for Gay Seniors, click here.

To learn about our Generation Q program, click here.