The LGBTQ Center

Since its inception in 2004 as a small bookstore and coffee bar called Another Bookstore, The LGBTQ Center has grown into a vital community institution serving South Bend, Indiana. What began as a response to dozens of weekly inquiries from community members seeking LGBTQ+-welcoming businesses, lawyers, doctors, and churches evolved into a formal nonprofit organization in 2005 as The GLBT Resource Center of Michiana. After more than a decade of successful community work, the organization underwent its most recent transformation in 2016, officially becoming The LGBTQ Center. The Center's physical space on Mishawaka Avenue reflects its welcoming philosophy, with volunteers having invested in accessibility improvements, functional office space, and a bright, inviting environment. The organization's founding principle, declared at the Center's ribbon-cutting ceremony in 2016, remains central to its identity: "All are welcome." The LGBTQ Center's mission focuses on promoting equality, building community, and increasing understanding of LGBTQ+ experiences through educational resources, support groups, social events, and enriching programming. Guided by principles of safety, celebration of diversity, community advocacy, collaborative partnerships, financial responsibility, and continuous education, the organization works toward a vision where everyone is valued, respected, and empowered. For nearly two decades, The LGBTQ Center has served as a beacon of inclusivity and support for the South Bend LGBTQ+ community and its allies.