Hudson Pride Center has a new permanent space for members of the LGBTQ+ community. The longtime-standing Jersey City based organization, which hasn’t had a home base until now, opened its doors earlier this month. Located at 3000 John F. Kennedy Blvd, Jersey City, Hudson Pride Center has a large welcoming space that’s open to all new and old members. Read on to learn more about Hudson Pride Center.
Opening Its Doors
HPC was founded in 1993 to serve as an advocate and social service provider for LGBTQ+ and HIV/AIDS communities in Hudson County. Throughout the 25+ years, Hudson Pride continued to provide many social support services, offer diverse programs, and host various events in the community.
Their mission is as follows: “Hudson Pride Center is a home and voice for the diverse LGBTQ community and our allies that advocates for our physical, mental, social and political well-being. We create safe and vibrant spaces to gather and celebrate our lives.”
HPC struggled to find a permanent home base that was successful. The facility tried spaces in the past but they didn’t work out. They then went completely virtual and remote during the pandemic.
(Photo credit: Hudson Pride Center Facebook)
Back in April 2021, good news was given. It was reported that investment management company Lord, Abbet & Co. LLC would provide a $700,000 three-year pledge of support to help with the building of the center.
Over a year later, the center was ready to open. On December 8th, HPC celebrated its opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by Mayor Steven Fulop and city council members Ward E’s James Solomon and Ward B’s Mira Prinz-Arey.
The Executive Director of the non-profit, Elizabeth Schedl, said at the ceremony, “It has been a long journey to get to this point but we finally made it. We are so glad that we can welcome members into this new space and make them feel right at home.”
(Photo credit: Hudson Pride Center Facebook)
Mayor Fulop also gave a speech. He told cameras, “We couldn’t be more proud to have the largest LGBTQ+ community in the state of NJ, and it’s one that’s growing, it’s one that makes Jersey City a special place in so many different ways.”
About The Center
The 2,500-square-foot center is located on the third floor at 3000 John F. Kennedy Blvd, close by to Journal Square. The office space includes many rooms for meetings and gatherings, conference rooms, a kitchen and eatery space and a cozy area to relax and watch TV.
Throughout the space, there are LGBTQ trailblazers and icons represented in the form of posters and photographs on the wall, such as that of Frida Kahlo.
(Photo credit: Hudson Pride Center Facebook)
Assistance for those in the LGBTQ+ community and those affected by HIV/AIDS both in person and virtually. The center goes beyond a meetup space, given the many services offered such as education and training, connecting members with local support groups, and specialty health and wellness services. They also team up to host various events in town like Tie-Dye & Wind Down, holiday parties, Queer Women’s Party, Building Bridges BBQ & more.
To Get Involved
Joseph Zapata, the Community Engagement Manager, said during the ceremony, “My pride is always evident when I give a tour of our new center because it has been a long journey to get here. The ‘pinch me’ factor is very much alive. I encourage folks to stop by for a tour!”
Hudson Pride Center is open Monday through Friday from 10AM to 6PM, and is closed on the weekend. For more information, visit hudsonpride.org.
