There are two prongs to Persad’s Outreach efforts: Forging powerful relationships with allies and connecting LGBTQ+ and people living with HIV with the specialized services they need. In collaboration with allies and friends, Persad works to build stronger, safer, healthier communities and steer the public dialogue about LGBTQ+ people and issues.

Our target populations have experienced stigma and discrimination, and because of that, they do not enjoy the same access to quality care. Persad reaches out to our target populations and welcomes them to receive the services they need.

Persad forges relationships with allies of our populations and helps our community to connect to friendly, welcoming, and competent care.

Persad Center is the nation’s second oldest licensed mental health center specifically created to serve the LGBTQ+ community.

Founded in 1972, Persad was created in response to the demand for specialized, nondiscriminatory services expressed by LGBTQ+ individuals through an underground Pittsburgh gay hotline. Started by a group of gay activists in Allegheny County, the hotline was originally established to provide LGBTQ+ people with information regarding safe places to meet one another and as a communication network to make LGBTQ+ people aware of happenings in the community.