our story
The LOFT’s story began in the early 1980s when the Lesbian Task Force of Southern Westchester NOW and the Gay Men’s Alliance of the Hudson Valley came together to establish a safe, inclusive space for LGBTQ+ individuals. From its humble beginnings in a loft above a grocery store in White Plains, NY, The LOFT became Westchester County’s first LGBTQ+ center. Its founding members—Jenny Cummings, Robert Knight, Peter LoMonte, Phyllis Lynch, Frank Santoliquido, Susan Turner, and Mitchell Visoky—created a vital resource for the community, which has since grown into a regional center of connection and support.
Today, The LOFT proudly honors its founders’ legacy by continually expanding services and adapting to meet the ever-evolving needs of the LGBTQ+ community.
The LOFT LGBTQ+ Community Center is a non-profit institution that serves the LGBTQ+ community of Westchester County, NY, and the Hudson Valley Region. Founded in 1983, The LOFT provides a broad range of services including in-person, virtual, and hybrid programs, support groups, social activities, and special events such as Westchester Pride Hosted by The LOFT, The Hudson Valley TransForum, and the Trans Support of The Hudson Valley (TSHV) program, which supports and empowers Transgender, Gender Non-Conforming, and Non-Binary (TGNCNB) communities.
Currently located at 252 Bryant Ave, White Plains, NY 10605, The LOFT continues to be a beacon of inclusion, advocacy, and community building for LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies.
looking ahead
In 2026, The LOFT will break ground on a state-of-the-art community center located in downtown White Plains. This new facility will house Westchester County’s first LGBTQ+ affirming affordable senior housing complex, ensuring that older LGBTQ+ individuals have access to safe, inclusive, and affirming housing as they age.
This landmark project is essential to our mission of ensuring that all members of the LGBTQ+ community, regardless of age, have access to spaces where they can feel supported and affirmed.
our core values
Respect | Inclusivity | Opportunity | Integrity
Respect: We provide a safe space where every person is respected, supported, and valued.
Inclusivity: We ensure an inclusive and affirming environment that reflects the diversity of our community’s identities.
Opportunity: We broaden knowledge both within and outside the community to foster mutual understanding.
Integrity: We respond to the evolving needs of our community with compassion and commitment.
our mission
Advocate | Educate | Celebrate
The LOFT’s mission is to further the cause of inclusion, diversity, and pride through education, advocacy, and celebration. We are committed to supporting LGBTQ+ individuals in every aspect of life, from health and wellness to community building and beyond.
Advocacy: We are forceful advocates for justice and positive, progressive change for all LGBTQ+ individuals. Through our work, we strive to ensure that everyone in our community is treated with dignity, equality, and respect, regardless of identity.
Education: We believe that education is a critical tool in breaking down barriers and fostering understanding. The LOFT provides educational programs, workshops, and resources to broaden awareness and knowledge around LGBTQ+ issues, identities, and experiences. We empower community members, allies, and the broader public to advocate for and support the LGBTQ+ community in meaningful ways.
Celebration: We celebrate the rich diversity and contributions of the LGBTQ+ community through our signature events, including Westchester Pride, our annual gala, and the Hudson Valley TransForum. These events serve as platforms to highlight the achievements, culture, and resilience of LGBTQ+ individuals, fostering a sense of belonging and pride.
At The LOFT, we honor our history, uplift our present, and work to secure a bright future for LGBTQ+ individuals by advocating, educating, and celebrating every step of the way.
Contact us
We’re here for you.
Whether you have a question about our programs, want to get involved, or simply need someone to talk to, The LOFT LGBTQ+ Community Center is just a message away. Our team is dedicated to supporting, uplifting, and advocating for the LGBTQ+ community in Westchester County, the Hudson Valley, and beyond.