#UNDETERRED​

The concerted efforts by the White House, policymakers, and their allies in states across the nation to discriminate against, dehumanize, and terrorize millions of LGBTQ+ citizens - as well as their caregivers, providers, and educators - have created an existential crisis for the LGBTQ+ community. Making matters worse, companies are under increasing pressure to abandon their diversity, equality, and inclusiveness efforts as protections for fundamental rights continue to fade and access to safe spaces is made more difficult.

The setbacks our community has endured and the negative atmosphere this has created for LGBTQ+ individuals everywhere, including the South Coast, has made the work of The South Coast LGBTQ+ Network more challenging - and more important - than at any other time in our history.

There is serious work to be done - and we must work together to build the future we deserve. The South Coast LGBTQ+ Network remains undeterred in our mission to help South Coast LGBTQ+ individuals across the age spectrum live happy, fulfilling lives, free of prejudice and stigma.

WHO WE ARE

The South Coast LGBTQ+ Network (The Network) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 2014 by seven LGBTQ+ agencies and allied organizations with start-up support from The Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts.

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OUR PURPOSE

​The South Coast LGBTQ+ Network is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to create and support a thriving LGBTQ+ community on Massachusetts’ South Coast where individuals can freely, safely, and joyously celebrate their true selves and realize their full potential. Every day, The Network is dedicated to building and maintaining a comprehensive support network for LGBTQ+ individuals and families across the age spectrum, with an emphasis on the most vulnerable within the LGBTQ+ community: LGBTQ+ youth, transgender and nonbinary individuals, and older adults. The Network offers a wide range of services and events that promote LGBTQ+ awareness and education, health and wellness, social interaction, professional development, and much more.

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​Our Mission

Every day we strive to build and maintain a comprehensive support network for LGBTQ+ individuals and families across the age spectrum by:

• Working with governmental, community-based organizations, and private entities to eliminate homophobia in our communities through education, advocacy, and outreach.
• Creating inter-generational opportunities for LGBTQ+ individuals to learn from one another through social, educational, and community project interaction.
• Assessing, advocating, and supporting programming needs to ensure the safety and well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals in our community, such as housing, education, employment, and mental and physical health.
• Ensuring that LGBTQ+ individuals are treated with respect and dignity.
• Providing a central organizational home for the exchange of ideas and collaboration to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ South Coast residents.

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FUTURE PROJECTS

In order to better serve the growing South Coast LGBTQ+ community, we are always looking for ways to create bigger and better-equipped spaces where members, allies, and partners can interact. Currently, we are developing an historic building at 60 Eighth Street in downtown New Bedford for a future Community Center. Stay tuned for updates.

​Board of Directors

2025 LEADERSHIP

Andrew Pollock, President​
Eileen Dugas, Executive Director

Seth Dugal, Director
Mandy Fraser, Director
Joseph Holdiman, Director
John Masson, Director
Donna Melchionno, Director
​Marcia Menard, Director
​Dennis Wong, Director

Board Advisor/Marketing
Kerry Zeida
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President Emeritus
Rebecca McCullough

In Memory of:
Joan Stratton (1951-2021)
​​Lenny Amaral (d. 2021)
​Connie Mayer (1943-2021)

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