Pride Center San Antonio Partners with Methodist to Open Walk-in Center

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

San Antonio, TX (January 5, 2018) – Pride Center San Antonio, also known as
“The Center” was proud to kickoff the New Year, alongside Councilman Roberto Trevino, with the exciting announcement of it’s new home in the heart of the LGBTQ+ community. After years of operating in a shared administrative and meeting space, The Center in partnership with Methodist Healthcare System, will open a walk-in center at the Methodist Professional Building across from Crockett Park. The Center will serve as a community hub; offering resources, programs, as well as continuing to connect people to other LGBTQ services, build awareness and strengthen relationships to address urgent community needs.

“In these uncertain times, the opening of a safe space in San Antonio is long overdue. As the seventh largest city, not having a walk-in facility was no longer an option. It was this that drove our leadership team to build and strengthen relationships across the city. Of these relationships, Councilman Roberto Trevino connected us to others who shared ourvision of a more inclusive San Antonio,” said Robert Salcido, volunteer executive director and board chair. “Ultimately, a partnership with Methodist was the best fit to help fully deliver our mission to the community. This transformational investment will help solidify our vision to serve all LGBTQ+ San Antonians who will look to The Center in the years ahead for a range of services that meets their unique needs,” says Salcido.

“I am grateful that Pride Center San Antonio now has a permanent home where they can better serve the LGBT community,” said District 1 Councilman Roberto Trevino. “San Antonio wins anytime elected leaders connect key community organizations in need with resources,” added Trevino.

The agreement is a private lease between Metropolitan Methodist Hospital and the Pride Center San Antonio.  Metropolitan Methodist Hospital has a history of supporting the LGBTQ community as it has earned the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation’s Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality ranking in HRCs Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) for the last two years.

“Metropolitan Methodist Hospital is proud to be the first and only hospital in San Antonio ranked as a leader in having processes and policies in place that show equity and inclusion of LGBTQ patients, visitors and employees. Providing a permanent home for the Pride Center is another way of extending our support for the LGBTQ population” states Greg Seiler, CEO of Metropolitan Methodist Hospital.  “Our core competency is building partnerships in community and our collaboration with Councilman Trevino and the Pride Center is a perfect example of our commitment to that guiding principle,” added Seiler.

The Center’s new home is expected to open Spring 2018. We continue to raise funds for programs and services as well as to furnish the space.

Contacts:     

Robert Salcido, The Center – Pride Center San Antonio, 210-857-6928

Justin Renteria, City of San Antonio, 210-296-7213

Palmira Arellano, Methodist Healthcare, 210-325-2295