Our Story
The Metro LGBTQ Welcome Center, only the third in the nation, opened in June 2014 in St. Petersburg’s Grand Central District. As a function of Metro Inclusive Health the Welcome Center serves the area as an LGBTQ visitors’ resource, ice cream and coffee house, youth center (safe space), and provides a wide range of business resources, meeting space, educational activities and entertainment events. The Metro LGBTQ Welcome Center offers a vital community service to all that live, work and visit St. Petersburg, FL and surrounding areas by providing information on areas of interest, where to stay, shop, dine and more.
The Metro LGBTQ Welcome Center services:
• Visitor Resources and Information
• Relocation Resource Information
• Local LGBTQ Business Resource Center
• Local Artist and Makers Boutique
• Youth Center Safe Space
• LGBTQ Social Programs and Services
• HIV Educational Programs and Testing
• Ice Cream/Coffee House
• LGBTQ Print Library
With on-site resources, staff and free Wi-Fi and charging station, the Welcome Center connect travelers and locals with destination information, allowing them to purchase tickets when applicable, find area services, and offer customized travel packages and itineraries. Similar to the two LGBTQ Welcome Centers in Seattle and Miami, St. Pete’s LGBTQ Welcome Center is supported by local individuals, families, and businesses. Individual and Corporate Members help through programs such as community talks, lunches, cross-corporate LGBTQ networking, sporting events, cultural activities, discussions with community leaders about gender and sexuality, volunteering, and fundraising campaigns. The Metro LGBTQ Welcome Center works to drive continuous improvements in the promotion of LGBTQ businesses throughout the Pinellas County; provides support and networking opportunities for its members; and promotes activities within St. Pete that raise awareness about our LGBTQ community.
