Persad Center

Sometimes we get so used to saying “I’m fine” that we forget we’re allowed to say, “Actually, I’m having a hard time.”

You can love your life and still be exhausted. You can be surrounded by people and still feel lonely. You can be proud of who you are and still carry things that hurt.

And you don’t have to wait until everything falls apart before asking for support.

For many LGBTQ+ people, mental health can be shaped by experiences that others may never see - family rejection, discrimination, isolation, coming out, identity struggles, or simply the weight of trying to be okay all the time. Your pain doesn’t have to reach a breaking point before it deserves to be heard.

At Persad Center, we believe support isn't something you have to earn by suffering enough. You deserve a space where you can show up exactly as you are, talk honestly about what you're carrying, and be met with LGBTQ+-affirming care and compassion.

Maybe this is your reminder that you don't have to carry everything alone.

If someone in your life needs to hear this today, share this with them. And follow Persad Center for more reminders that your mental health matters, too.

💛 Ready to connect with affirming support? Pre-register today: https://www.persadcenter.org/pre-register or call 412-441-9786.

Snap, crackle, celebrate!

Today we're celebrating National Rice Krispie Day here at Persad with a little something sweet for our amazing staff! 💙

The work our team does every day deserves to be celebrated and sometimes, that means treats!

Happy National Rice Krispie Day from all of us at Persad! 🌈

Sometimes, what looks like a struggle with substances is really a person trying to find a way through everything they're carrying.

For LGBTQ+ people, that weight can include rejection, discrimination, isolation, anxiety, family pressure, or simply not having a space where it feels safe to be fully yourself. And when you're carrying all of that, finding something that gives you temporary relief can feel like survival.

But you deserve more than temporary relief. You deserve support that understands you.

At Persad Center, LGBTQ+-affirming substance use counseling gives you a space to talk honestly about your relationship with substances, work toward your own goals, and address mental health concerns that may be part of the picture—all without judgment and without asking you to leave your identity at the door.

You don't have to wait until everything falls apart to ask for help. You don't have to have the perfect words. And you don't have to figure out recovery alone.

If you're ready to take that first step, we're here.

👉 Pre-register for LGBTQ+-affirming care at Persad Center: persadcenter.org/pre-register

Looking for connection, laughter, and a space where you truly belong? Welcome to OWLs — our LGBTQ+ 50+ community at Persad Center. 🦉

Every Thursday, something special happens here. Conversations that feel easy. Laughter that comes naturally. Moments where you don’t have to explain who you are - you’re simply understood. Whether you come for the friendships, the stories, or just a warm cup of coffee and good company, there’s always a seat for you. 💛

Join our Older Wiser Leaders (OWLs) every Thursday from 10 AM – 12 PM and experience a community built on connection, joy, and being fully yourself.

Have questions? Call 412-441-9786 or email [email protected]
- or just stop by. Truly. We’d love to meet you. ✨

Ready to join us or explore more of what Persad Center offers? Start here 👉
https://www.persadcenter.org

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/2jnubxxb

National Voter Registration Day is today, September 15! Make sure your voice is heard by checking your voter registration and making a plan to participate.

For LGBTQ+ communities, representation matters, and so does making sure our voices are part of the conversation.

Register to vote here: https://tinyurl.com/4rekycve

Sometimes, you just need to know that there’s a place where you can be yourself and still be cared for.

For some people, finding an LGBTQ+ affirming space can take years. A place where you don't have to explain your identity before being listened to. A place where your mental health is taken seriously. A place where compassion isn't something you have to earn.

These reviews from people who have experienced care at Persad Center remind us why those spaces matter.

“They really do care.”
“A safe, LGBT-friendly space.”
“Allowed me to take back more control of my life.”

Behind every review is a person who walked through our doors carrying their own story—and found a little more room to breathe, heal, and move forward.

That's what affirming care can mean. It's not just about having a welcoming space. It's about feeling seen, respected, and safe enough to begin healing.

If you've been thinking about reaching out, maybe this is your sign. You don't have to wait until things become unbearable to ask for support.

Healing happens here. Maybe it's your turn. 💛

👉 Ready to take the first step? Pre-register with Persad Center today: https://www.persadcenter.org/pre-register

Mark Bingham was one of the passengers on United Flight 93 who fought back against the hijackers on September 11, 2001, helping prevent the plane from reaching its intended target. A rugby player, PR executive, and proud gay man, Mark's courage reminds us that heroism has no single face.

Today we remember Mark as part of our LGBTQ+ family. His bravery is a legacy that belongs to all of us.

Known for her generosity and compassion, Dolly Parton reportedly covered the cost of gender-affirming care for her longtime driver and assistant, Jason Pirro, in the 1990s. For the nearly 40 years Pirro worked for Parton, he spoke with gratitude about her unwavering support, including when a tabloid outed him as a transgender man in a 1990 story.

His story is a powerful reminder of how meaningful it can be to have someone who sees you, supports you, and allows you to live as your authentic self. Living authentically is an important part of mental health and well-being. When we are able to be true to who we are, we create space for greater self-acceptance, connection, and peace. And having the support of others along that journey can make all the difference. To read more about Pirro’s story and Parton’s support, click the link.

If you're interested in judgement-free, safe, mental health care, call 412-441-9796 or pre-register for free at www.persadcenter.org/pre-register

Dolly Parton paid for her longtime driver’s gender-affirming care: She was ‘a very nice lady’ Parton’s support of LGBTQ community and kindness to people who worked for her ‘wasn’t an act,’ the editor of her 1994 memoir said.