Gay City

What Gay City does

Gay City Health Project, operating publicly as Gay City / Seattle's LGBTQ+ Center and rebranding in 2026 to "The Seattle LGBTQ+ Center," is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1995 in Seattle, Washington. The organization delivers integrated health, wellness, and community services to LGBTQ+ individuals across the Puget Sound region from a flagship facility at 400 E. Pine Street on Capitol Hill, supplemented by satellite testing sites in Federal Way (Sea Mar clinic) and at Steamworks Baths Seattle. Its core programs include free HIV/STI testing for clients ages 14 and up, PrEP navigation, Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy referrals in partnership with Kelley-Ross Pharmacy, a Mental Health Counseling Program (launched 2025), the Michael C. Weidemann LGBTQ Library (over 9,000 historical titles), a Mutual Aid Closet and Pantry, healthcare navigation and insurance enrollment (Apple Health/Medicaid), Project NEON harm-reduction services, and a youth program portfolio including drop-in space, Discord community, peer mentorship, and arts initiatives for ages 12-24. The technology stack is deliberately modest: an InSync HIPAA-compliant patient portal for records and test results, online scheduling, and ActiveCampaign for email outreach — no proprietary platforms or AI/ML components.

The organization's business model is a hybrid nonprofit revenue stack. Direct service revenue is effectively zero because all health services, youth programs, and resource referrals are free to clients regardless of insurance status. Earned income streams are limited to room rentals (Grand Conference Room $100/hr, Cozy Conference Room $65/hr, Tuesday-Saturday), sliding-scale virtual training courses ($75-$350) for organizations on LGBTQ+ competency, and ticket sales to the annual Gardens & Gems fundraiser ($25-$150 tiers). The dominant revenue comes from government grants — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Washington State Department of Health (Project NEON funder since 1993), City of Seattle Office of Arts & Culture, and Public Health - Seattle & King County — alongside individual donations, monthly giving, workplace giving, corporate sponsorships, Facebook/Instagram fundraisers, and planned giving/bequests managed by a Development Manager. Distribution is omnichannel community-based: walk-in and scheduled appointments at the main center, satellite clinic locations, partner referrals (Seattle City Attorney's Office for Access to Change diversion), Discord-based youth engagement, and outreach/tabling events. Go-to-market is community-led rather than sales-led, with brand recognition built on 30+ years of community trust and a 2026 rebrand executed with social impact agency DH to extend identity beyond the historical "Gay City" name to a citywide Seattle LGBTQ+ Center positioning.

Name

Gay City

Legal name

Gay City Health Project

Website

https://gaycity.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Gay City (Seattle's LGBTQ+ Center) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1995 providing free HIV/STI testing, PrEP navigation, gender-affirming care referrals, mental health counseling, youth programs, and community resources to LGBTQ+ individuals in the Puget Sound region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Health and Wellness Services

NAICS

Social Assistance (624)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Health & Support Communities (BPAMABAL), Sexual Health & STI/HIV Prevention Health Departments (HLAJAAAL), Sexual Health & Relationship Wellness Education (EDAAAHAM)

Keywords

• Community health services
• HIV STI testing
• PrEP navigation
• Gender affirming care
• LGBTQ youth programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: Individual donations, monthly giving programs, workplace giving (payroll deductions), Facebook/Instagram fundraisers, corporate sponsorships, and general fundraising campaigns. Accepts gifts-in-kind, car donations, and Kroger Community Rewards.
2. Room Rentals: Rental income from Grand Conference Room ($100/hour) and Cozy Conference Room ($65/hour) for meetings and events. Available Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm.
3. Special Events: Annual fundraiser events including Gardens & Gems (summer fundraiser with ticket tiers $25-$150) and World AIDS Day commemoration. Ticket sales and sponsorships support programming.
4. Training Programs: Virtual courses on LGBTQ+ competency topics (Pronouns 101, Breaking It Down: LGBTQIA2S+) offered on sliding scale from $75-$350. Technical assistance and training services for organizations.
5. Grant Funding: Funding from government sources including Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Washington State Department of Health, and City of Seattle Office of Arts & Culture for specific programs (HIV/STI testing, Project NEON, Youth Arts Program).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Gay City operates as a community-led LGBTQ+ center delivering free, integrated health, wellness, and social services in Seattle, including HIV/STI testing and prevention, PrEP navigation, gender-affirming hormone therapy referrals, mental health counseling, youth programming, mutual aid, and resource navigation. The organization combines direct clinical services, peer-led harm reduction, youth drop-in and mentorship, a community LGBTQ+ library, and training/technical assistance to other organizations.

Product overview

Gay City / The Seattle LGBTQ+ Center is a community-based organization offering a comprehensive suite of health, resource, and community services for LGBTQ+ individuals. The organization operates primarily as a service provider rather than a technology product, offering direct health services (HIV/STI testing, PrEP navigation, gender-affirming hormone therapy, mental health counseling), resource programs (LGBTQ library, mutual aid pantry, healthcare enrollment assistance), youth programming, arts initiatives, and community space rentals. Key service modules include the Wellness Center for testing and prevention, Project NEON for harm reduction, the Michael C. Weidemann LGBTQ Library, youth drop-in and mentorship programs, and outreach/training services for other organizations. The organization is transitioning to a new brand identity in 2026, rebranding from 'Gay City: Seattle's LGBTQ+ Center' to 'The Seattle LGBTQ+ Center' with updated visual identity and new website domain.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Project NEON (Needle and sex Education Outreach Network): A peer-led harm reduction program serving Seattle's queer community, providing education, safer substance use supplies, and HIV/STI prevention tools.
• Michael C. Weidemann LGBTQ Library
• Youth Arts Program
• Access to Change

Products and services

• HIV/STI Testing Program Free confidential HIV and STI testing program for clients ages 14 and up regardless of insurance status, offering rapid HIV testing and screening for syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and Hepatitis C, available at the main center and partner satellite locations.
• PrEP Navigation Program Navigation program supporting individuals seeking HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, including prevention education, health benefits navigation, drug assistance program referrals, and medication access through Kelley-Ross Pharmacy partnership.
• Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy (GAHT) Gender-affirming hormone therapy program delivered with Kelley-Ross Pharmacy, providing estrogen, testosterone, consultations, surgical letters of support, and mental health referrals for clients 18+ in Washington State.
• LGBTQ+ Mental Health Counseling Program Community-based mental health program providing 8-12 trauma-informed therapy sessions with licensed providers, health systems navigation, and peer support groups for queer and trans community members.
• Project NEON (Harm Reduction) Peer-led harm reduction program providing education, safer substance use supplies, and HIV/STI prevention tools to Seattle's queer community, funded by the Washington State Department of Health.
• Healthcare Navigation & Insurance Enrollment Assistance enrolling individuals in Apple Health (Medicaid) or Qualified Health Plans, with multilingual healthcare navigation counselors providing services at no charge.
• Michael C. Weidemann LGBTQ Library One of the largest LGBTQ libraries in the Pacific Northwest with over 9,000 titles covering LGBTQ topics including books, CDs, and DVDs, offering free checkout with state ID.
• Mutual Aid Closet and Pantry Food and resource distribution program providing food, hygiene products, clothing, and gender-affirming items to LGBTQ+ community members, focused on those most in need.
• ORCA LIFT Enrollment Reduced-fare transit program enrollment assistance helping community members access King County Metro, Community Transit, Sound Transit Link light rail, and other regional transit services.
• Room Rentals Rental of two meeting and event spaces at the Seattle center: the Grand Conference Room ($100/hour, capacity 25-35) and the Cozy Conference Room ($65/hour, capacity 10-15).
• Access to Change Diversion Program Online diversion program for LGBTQ+ youth and families ages 18-25 who have encountered the criminal legal system, delivered as a 5-week workshop series facilitated by Black T/GNC staff in collaboration with the Seattle City Attorney's Office.
• Youth Drop-In Space & Programs Drop-in space and programs for LGBTQ+ youth ages 12-24 in Washington State, including a Discord server, peer mentorship, peer support groups, youth advisory council, and youth advocacy media programming.
• Youth Arts Program Paid guided mentorship program for LGBTQ BIPOC youth ages 13-18 culminating in a showcase of new performance art, with mural design programming supported by the City of Seattle Office of Arts & Culture.
• Outreach, Training & Technical Assistance Personalized training and technical assistance for organizations on LGBTQ+ competency topics such as de-escalation, supporting LGBTQIA2S+ community, gender identity and expression, and community care, with virtual courses on the Teachable platform offered on sliding scale pricing.

Quantifiable outcome

• Free HIV/STI testing services to all clients ages 14 and up regardless of insurance status
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and supporting.

• DH (Social Impact Agency)majorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Branding partnership for comprehensive brand update including new logo, color scheme, typography (Queering typeface), and visual identity system. DH created new branding materials for the organization as part of a strategic rebranding initiative.
• Seattle City Attorney's OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Collaboration to deliver Access to Change diversion program for youth ages 18-25. Pre-filing and post-filing diversion for domestic violence cases between family members. Program created by Lady Anderson, Maisha Manson, Daynon Jackson, and Jenna Robert of City Seattle Attorney's Office.
• Kelley-Ross PharmacycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy (GAHT) services for transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming individuals. Kelley-Ross offers hormone therapy (estrogen, testosterone, other medications), consultations, letters of support for surgery, and mental health referrals. Gay City helps with health insurance enrollment for those without coverage.
• Sea Mar Federal Way Medical CliniccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to offer free HIV/STI testing, PrEP navigation, and Healthcare Navigation services at Sea Mar Federal Way Medical Clinic location. Services available Wednesday and Thursday 9am-5pm. Funded by CDC in partnership with Public Health - Seattle & King County.
• Seattle Children's Hospital Gender ClinicsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferral partner for gender-affirming care services for individuals under 18. Gay City refers youth to Seattle Children's for pediatric gender clinic services while providing other youth programming.
• Seattle Community FridgesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner maintaining and stocking the refrigerator in the Mutual Aid Closet and Pantry. Community fridge initiative for food distribution.
• City of Seattle Office of Arts & CulturemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerFunder for Youth Arts Program mural design initiative. Made possible by City of Seattle Office of Arts & Culture support for LGBTQ BIPOC youth arts programming.
• Velocity (Performing Arts Center)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for EMERGE arts festival - framework for yearly recurring festival offering emerging performance-based adult artists production support, artistic mentorship, business and sustainability training.
• Northwest Film Forum and Three Dollar Bill CinemasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistorical partnership for celebrating 25 queer years in 2021. Three community organizations on Capitol Hill partnered for media arts programs supporting local queer and trans creators.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• San Francisco AIDS Foundation: Community-based nonprofit providing HIV prevention, testing, and care alongside broader sexual health and LGBTQ+ wellness services in San Francisco. Directly comparable as a city-anchored LGBTQ+ health and wellness organization with similar service breadth.
• Los Angeles LGBT Center: The largest LGBTQ+ organization in the world, offering integrated health, mental health, housing, and youth services. Operates a similar community-center-plus-health-services model, though at significantly larger scale.
• Fenway Health: Boston-based LGBTQ+ healthcare and research organization offering primary care, behavioral health, and HIV prevention services. Comparable as a community-anchored LGBTQ+ health nonprofit with integrated wellness and research programs.
• Howard Brown Health: Chicago-based LGBTQ+ community health center providing primary care, behavioral health, and HIV/STI services. Closely comparable integrated service model targeting urban LGBTQ+ populations with free testing and prevention services.
• Callen-Lorde Community Health Center: New York City LGBTQ+ community health center specializing in affirming primary care, hormone therapy, and HIV services. Directly comparable focus on gender-affirming care and LGBTQ+ populations with similar partnership-based service delivery.
• Whitman-Walker Health: Washington, D.C. community health center serving LGBTQ+ populations with primary care, HIV prevention, and gender-affirming services. Closely comparable model integrating HIV/STI testing, PrEP navigation, and mental health services.
• APLA Health: Los Angeles-based nonprofit providing LGBTQ+ primary care, HIV prevention, and supportive services. Comparable community-health integration model with focus on wellness and HIV services for diverse LGBTQ+ populations.
• Mazzoni Center: Philadelphia-based LGBTQ+ health and wellness organization providing primary care, behavioral health, and HIV services. Comparable integrated care model targeting urban LGBTQ+ communities with similar partnership and grant funding structures.

Emerging players

• SMYAL (Supporting and Mentoring Youth Advocates and Leaders): Washington, D.C. nonprofit serving LGBTQ+ youth with drop-in programs, housing, and case management. Closely comparable youth-focused programming, particularly the QTBIPOC emphasis, though narrower in service breadth (youth only, no health services).

Broad incumbents

• Public Health - Seattle & King County: Government public health agency that partners with and partially funds Gay City's HIV/STI testing program. Comparable public health mission but operates as a much broader incumbent across all population health, not exclusively LGBTQ+.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/gaycityseattle
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/GayCityTV
• Facebookfacebook.com/GayCity
• Instagraminstagram.com/gaycity

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Gay City