A Home for Queer Community on the SouthCoast
Sixty Eighth Street, New Bedford. A former shelter becoming the SouthCoast's first dedicated LGBTQ+ community center. Eight hundred thousand dollars to finish the build.
Sixty Eighth Street, New Bedford
This building used to house people who had nowhere else to go. A shelter. Now it's becoming something different and complementary. A space where queer people on the SouthCoast can show up, sit down, and find their people.
For ten years the Network has run programs out of partner spaces and rented rooms. That work has built community. But community deserves a home, and so do we. Sixty Eighth Street is that home.
Inside the doors
Programming Space
A flexible room for Art with James, support groups, workshops, and youth meetups. Built for the work we already do, expanded.
Meeting Rooms
Private rooms for one-on-one peer support, partner conversations, and small group sessions where confidentiality matters.
Community Kitchen
Food is connective tissue. Supper Club, Craft Night with snacks, holiday brunches. A real kitchen makes the gathering possible.
A Permanent Home
Not a borrowed room, not a rented hall. An address you can drop in on. Doors, lights, a sign on the building. Ours.
Every gift moves us closer
Four ways to participate. The Network is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 82-2601799. Every contribution is tax-deductible.
Commemorative Brick
Your name, your family's name, or a dedication engraved at the entrance. Permanent record of who built this.
Reserve a brickCommunity Gift
Small gifts and big gifts both finish this building. Recurring monthly options available through Givebutter.
Give nowName a Room
Major gift opportunities for naming the programming space, kitchen, library, or one of the meeting rooms.
Start a conversationHonor a Loved One
Dedicate a gift in memory of Joan Stratton, Lenny Amaral, Connie Mayer, or someone the community has lost.
Make a tribute giftWriting about the build?
Reporters, foundations, and partner organizations: contact info@sclgbtqnetwork.org for the media kit, interview requests, or to schedule a site visit. We have renderings, the campaign one-pager, and stories from community members ready to share.
Request the Media KitWhile we build, we already gather here
The Network's community spaces in New Bedford, Fall River, and Taunton already host programs every week. We also love and recommend other welcoming venues across the SouthCoast where queer community happens.
FreePlay Taunton
Bar arcade at 904 County St, Taunton. 100+ classic video games, pinball, skee ball, and a queer-welcoming vibe. Hosts our Pride South Coast 2026 Launch Party on Monday, June 1. 21+ during normal hours, family-friendly Sundays.
Network community spaces
Three locations across New Bedford, Fall River, and Taunton. See the Contact page for current addresses and hours.