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National LGBT Center Awareness Day: Show Up for Tucson’s LGBTQ+ Centers

October 2, 2025

A diverse group of people smiling and celebrating together with rainbow flags and the text — Celebrate National LGBT Center Awareness Day on October 19 with community and support for LGBT centers nationwide.

Every year on October 19, communities nationwide celebrate LGBTQ+ Center Awareness Day. It offers us a moment to spotlight the lifesaving services, safe spaces, and culture-building our centers provide. The day is championed by CenterLink, the national association of LGBTQ+ centers, as a call to learn, volunteer, and give back to the local hubs that hold us together.

Meet Tucson’s centers doing the work—every day

Right here at home, the Thornhill Lopez Center on 4th (a program of SAAF, Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation) is a welcoming drop-in and program space for LGBTQ+ youth and allies (ages ~13–24). Located on historic Fourth Avenue at 526 N 4th Ave, the Center offers affirming programming, connection to housing and food resources, suicide- and sexual-violence prevention, HIV testing and counseling, substance-use prevention, life skills, a computer lab, creative arts, and a place to simply be yourself.

Beyond youth services, SAAF provides a broader safety net. These services include HIV care and prevention, support groups, case management, and community education for LGBTQ+ people across Southern Arizona. If you’re looking for ways to plug in beyond Oct. 19, SAAF accepts volunteers and community support year-round.

On campus, the University of Arizona LGBTQ+ Resource Center serves as a hub for student support, programming, and community, with a focus on building inclusive environments for queer and trans students (and allies). If you’re affiliated with UA, start there to find events, peer support, and ways to get involved.

How you can get involved on (and around) Oct. 19

Visit or tour a center. Reach out to the Thornhill Lopez Center on 4th to learn about current drop-in hours, programs, and volunteer needs. If you’re a student or campus ally, connect with UA’s LGBTQ+ Resource Center.
Bring what helps. Centers often welcome gift cards, non-perishable snacks, hygiene kits, and school/art supplies. You can provide practical support youth and community members can use right away. (Check each center’s current wish list before you go.)
Volunteer your time or skills. From mentoring and event support to admin tasks, your time makes a measurable difference. Start with SAAF’s volunteer pathways and ask how to help at Thornhill Lopez.
Share the signal. Post about Center Awareness Day on your socials, tag local centers, and tell someone why these spaces matter, especially to queer and trans youth who may not know where to turn.

Save the date + add to calendar

Add October 19 – National LGBT Center Awareness Day to your calendar right now. Then, plan one concrete action: visit, donate, volunteer, or spread the word. Tucson’s centers are here for us, let’s show up for them in return. (For a quick reference and local context, you can also browse GayTucson’s calendar of national days and community events.)