Our Story
The Nation's Second Oldest
Persad Center’s story began on a bus ride to Washington, D.C., in 1972, when Pittsburgh activists Dr. Jim Huggins and Randy Forrester envisioned something better for the LGBTQ+ community than what the mental health system had to offer. More than 50 years later, that vision continues to guide us. We remain committed to providing affirming, compassionate care and support so LGBTQ+ individuals, couples, and families can thrive.
One Decision... Over 50 Years of Life-Saving Care
In 1972, an underground phone hotline in Pittsburgh was connecting LGBTQ+ individuals to peer support and safety information. It was necessary work, but it wasn’t clinical care. The mainstream mental health establishment of the era didn’t just ignore LGBTQ+ individuals; in many cases, it actively stigmatized them. Being gay was still classified as a mental disorder by the American Psychiatric Association. The idea of affirming care barely existed as a concept.
Dr. James Huggins and Randy Forrester had a vision. The two activists sketched out an agency that would become Persad Center. Combining the word “personal” and “adjustment,” their mission was clear: provide professional, affirming counseling to LGBTQ+ individuals in a city where none existed.
Persad began because two people decided that waiting for the system to catch up wasn’t good enough.
When Everyone Else Looked Away, Persad Didn't.
When the AIDS crisis hit the community in the early 1980s, the response from much of the medical and mental health establishment was one of the most significant failures in modern public health history. Providers refused to treat patients. Hospitals turned people away. Organizations that might have helped stayed silent.
Persad didn’t stay silent. In 1982, Persad created the first AIDS support program in the tri-state area. Co-founder Dr. Jim Huggins launched a professional training program specifically designed to push back against providers who were refusing to treat people living with HIV. The training reached nurses, doctors, social workers, and counselors who needed to understand both the medical facts and the human responsibility they were walking away from.
That decision defined Persad. We’re an agency that understands our moment and responds.
Fifty Years Of Meeting Community Needs
1987
Persad co-founded Pittsburgh's first area council on AIDS and held its first Art for AIDS auction, a fundraising and community-building tradition that continues today.
1990
Persad helped start the Pittsburgh PFLAG chapter.
2000
Persad launched a domestic violence treatment program for same-sex couples, one of the few such programs in the country at the time.
2003
Persad received a Pennsylvania Department of Health license to provide substance abuse treatment.
2004
A second location opened in Washington, PA.
2008
The OWLS senior programming launched and Persad became a regional SAGE affiliate.
2009
Persad received a federal grant to serve runaway and homeless LGBTQ+ youth through street outreach.
2015
Persad moved to its current home at 5301 Butler Street in Lawrenceville.
2018
The TransParent support group launched for families of transgender individuals.
2020
Persad launched telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2024
Phoenix Fitness opened as Pennsylvania's first nonprofit fitness center for transgender and nonbinary individuals.
You Can Make a Difference
Persad has been sustained by community support for over 50 years. Financial contributions, in-kind donations, and volunteer time all make a direct difference in the care and services we can provide.
Donate
Your gift funds care for patients who can't afford it, keeps the food pantry stocked, supports Phoenix Fitness, and helps Persad continue responding when the community needs something new.
Current Needs
In-kind donations of food, hygiene products, fitness equipment, and supplies make a real difference. Our current needs list is updated regularly.
Volunteer
Volunteers support events, outreach, the food pantry, administrative work, and more. If you want to put your time toward something that matters, Persad has a place for you.