GRIOT Circle

 Transformation in Progress: Help Us Build a New Home for LGBTQ Elders of Color

GRIOT Circle is a dynamic community of LGBTQ older adults of color who have transformed a lifetime of barriers into strength, wisdom, and purpose, redefining what it means to age with pride. 

At GRIOT Circle, our members are seen, heard, and celebrated. 

For more than 28 years, we’ve provided not only a safe space to call home, but also programs and services that support our members’ physical, mental, and emotional well-being—fostering deep connections and lasting bonds. While June is a time to honor the history and diversity of the LGBTQ community, GRIOT Circle carries that spirit forward every day, through the vital services, programs, and community our members rely on. 

In the past year alone, GRIOT Circle has: 

• Offered over 420 wellness, educational, and social programs to reduce isolation and enhance quality of life
• Delivered more than 150 hours of coordinated case management and resource support
• Logged over 200 volunteer hours from passionate community members

Our mission is grounded in the reality that LGBTQ elders of color sit at the crossroads of ageism, racism, and homophobia-a triple layer of marginalization that too often renders them invisible. Many face severe health disparities, high rates of isolation, and a lack of culturally competent care. One national study found that 39% have seriously considered suicide, and 53% report feeling isolated, yet the services available rarely reflect their lived experiences. These numbers are not just statistics, they reflect the daily realities of many GRIOT members. That’s why having our own space to do this critical work is so urgent. 

This Pride 2025, GRIOT Circle is entering a new transformative chapter—and we need your support. 

We’ve signed a 10-year lease at 25 Flatbush Avenue in downtown Brooklyn. After years of transition, we are creating a permanent, affirming home that reflects the full brilliance of our community—a space for healing, connection, and celebration. 

And this is only the beginning. 

Your donation this Give OUT Day will help us: 

• Outfit and design our new permanent space
• Serve more LGBTQ elders
• Expand critical mental health programming through our Wellness 360 initiative
• Deepen intergenerational engagement and peer support

Help shape the next chapter of GRIOT Circle’s journey. With your support, we are not just moving—we are transforming. 

Make your gift today and stand with LGBTQ elders of color in this moment of renewal.