Ana Zorrilla began looking for support in the greater New Orleans neighborhood when her young son, who had come out as trans in 2022, found him right away.
However, her virtual searches only produced some results. South Broad Street, the city’s long-standing LGBT Community Center, shut down at that time as a result of economic difficulties.
“It was a bit disappointing because I thought of New Orleans as a homosexual-friendly city,” Zorrilla, a former Mid-City native, said. “We felt truly alone.”
Fast-forward two decades, and she’s now a panel member of the recently formed Pride Center. The community center, which is located in Mid-City’s 102.3 WHIV-FM radio’s office, will officially open its doors on April 6th.
The organization’s goals are to create a gateway for LGBTQ+ Louisianans and their people with information and resources. The 750-rectangular-foot space may include a library with complimentary Wi-Fi, a complimentary-to-reserve conference room, and kitchen facilities.
Several organizations will use the space for regular meetings. The center may also host regular open talks, health care centers, community conferences, and entertainment events. During drop-in days, the service will be managed by at least one full-time employee. All ages are welcome, said Zorrilla.
“I believe having this area will help make people feel less alone,” she said.
Over the course of its past, New Orleans has seen a number of LGBT-focused community centers come and go. They have provided gay people with help during times of crisis, such as the AIDS illness, and as gathering places for celebrations.
Zorrilla and a small cluster of administrators started a meeting to discuss opening a new place immediately after the state’s previous Gay community center made its closure in 2022.
Zorrilla, the CEO of the Louisiana SPCA, brought years of philanthropic management expertise to the all-charity party. Other board members brought experience in grassroots organizing, health care, and other professions.
The new Pride Center board met with the previous LGBT Community Center leaders to talk about a change. But due to financial issues, the board decided to form a separate 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Zorrilla said. The old center’s board members did not respond to a request for comment.
Funding for the new center came from the LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana, as well as individual private donors.
Before locating a new space, the board launched a yearlong listening tour to better understand the community’s needs. According to Kyle DeVries, president of the NOLA Pride Center, trans youth needed a place to seek legal and medical advice.
A surge in anti-LGBTQ legislation in recent years, including limits on gender-affirming health care for minors, has contributed to “mounting anti-LGBTQ violence in Louisiana,” DeVries said.
“We have a new governor who is openly attacking our communities,” he said. Youth who are more vulnerable in other parts of the state are seeking refuge in New Orleans, and having a vibrant community center is an essential component of doing so.
During the board’s listening tour, Zorrilla connected with MarkAlain Dery, founder and executive director of 102.3 WHIV, a social-justice-focused community radio station. Over dinner one night, Dery offered a portion of the station’s building at 2762 Orleans Ave. to Zorrilla rent-free to host the Pride Center. The location choice was a no-brainer, Zorrilla said.
“The station is so congruent with who we are, what we do, and the voices we want to raise.”
Several months later, board members began organizing community events to tease the center’s opening. In February, DeVries and local student organizations held a vigil and bullying awareness event in memory of the deceased non-binary teenager from Oklahoma.
Kyle DeVries, board president of the New Orleans Pride Center, holds a sign inside the organization’s new space in Mid-City. On April 6, the new LGBT-focused community center will open its doors.
On a recent weekend, board members and volunteers gathered at the new space to decorate and load in computers, furniture, and books. André Monte, a frequent visitor to New Orleans and a volunteer, cut open a box full of rainbow-colored fans to store in the center for the hot summer days.
“There’s definitely a renewed sense of energy,” Monte said. “I think it’s overdue.”
The center’s regular operating hours are yet to be announced, according to the center’s board. A website and social media platforms will promote programming and significant events.
The conference room already has multiple bookings, Zorrilla said. A social justice organization aimed at lowering the cost of Louisianans’ legal name changes will hold weekly meetings as well as a group for Black men living with HIV.
Additionally, WHIV intends to launch a trans youth radio and storytelling workshop. A gender-neutral clothing drive and swap, job training seminars, and a lawyer’s Q&A session about Louisiana’s recently introduced “Don’t Say Gay” bill are other programming ideas.
Any community member can suggest an event by emailing the board directly, said Zorrilla.
“We would love to have people reach out and tell us what they can do and what they’re interested in doing.” “This is meant to be an inclusive center”.
On April 6, board members have planned an opening day party to welcome the public.
The event will begin at 2 p.m. and will feature drag and food at Mid-City’s The Broadside. A second line at 5 p.m. will wind through the neighborhood and end at the new center’s location.
