Hartford Pride Center

10/14/2026

Today we participated in the CCPG (Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling) annual conference. It was a great turnout. And as a new grantee, we were excited to meet with so many passionate folks who work alongside some amazing organizations committed to harm reduction in Connecticut.

Always proud to represent Hartford and the greater LGBTQIA+ community. Our table was by far the most fabulous. Also, if you haven't been in a while, check out our website. We have so many wonderful updates, including a general announcement about our new space in downtown Hartford, which should open in early 2027! Love this work, love our community!

www.hartfordpridecenter.org

09/30/2026

For the last two weeks we have been collecting candy for students for parent/teacher events. This wouldn't have been as successful had it not been for Irene Zozaya, Cliff Oliver, and our LGBTQ 50+ Men's and Women's groups.

Massive shout-out to the many folks who came forward to support our kids. The PTOs that we partnered with were very grateful. More exciting news and events to come, so stay tuned!

09/24/2026

Tomorrow is the 4th Friday of the month which means that our LGBTQ 50+ Men's Group will be coming together to share in love, laughs, and good food. Tomorrow, we will be meeting at the Flying Monkey in Newington from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. We are also accepting donations of bags of candy, which we will be giving to our friends at in New Britain for their Halloween festivities.

Building community is important, and supporting others remains a focus of our organization. If you're available, even if you've never attended a meeting before, you are welcome with us. Looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow!

09/22/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us this past Friday to officially launch the Driscoll Fund. Seeing so many supporters, donors, and community members come together made the evening a meaningful celebration of a cause deeply connected to our community’s history. We also want to give a special shout-out to our event sponsors Prism Counseling and Support LLC who we look forward to working with more over the next year. Also, a massive thank you to our very own Miss Connecticut, Christa Steiner for always showing up and showing out when we need her!

Named in honor of Thomas Driscoll, the Fund carries forward a legacy of care and compassion. HIV remains a real and ongoing community health crisis. Stigma and financial barriers continue to keep people from getting the care they need. Our organization is committed to advocacy, education, and direct support that make a meaningful difference in the lives of people living with HIV, but we could not do this work alone.

Since beginning this effort earlier this year, the Driscoll Fund has provided thousands of dollars in aid to more than 19 people throughout Greater Hartford. This financial assistance covers things like hospital expenses, prescription drug costs, transportation to medical appointments, and other basic human needs like food and pharmaceuticals.

To everyone who gives, volunteers, participates, or helps someone connect with us: thank you. Your partnership strengthens both the Driscoll Fund and the Hartford Pride Center’s broader work to build community and ensure people feel seen, respected, and valued. Additional photos from the celebration will be uploaded to our website shortly, and we want to thank Ray DaRosa for helping to capture the special moments from the evening.

Are you living with HIV in Greater Hartford and in need of financial support? You can submit an application through our website: https://hartfordpridecenter.org/driscoll-fund-application

Please share this post to help us reach more people who may need our help.

09/18/2026

TONIGHT’S THE NIGHT!

Join the Hartford Pride Center at the Driscoll Fund Launch Celebration in Middletown. This will be an evening filled with dinner, drinks, entertainment, community, and a special appearance/performance by Miss Connecticut, Christa Steiner.

Named in honor of Thomas Driscoll, the provides emergency financial assistance for people living with HIV throughout Greater Hartford. The Fund covers things like prescription co-pays, medical transportation, food, short-term housing costs, and other basic human needs so people can remain healthy, stable, and connected to care.

Since launching in March, the Driscoll Fund has already distributed over $10,000 in aid to 17 different people, and we’re just getting started.

A special message of gratitude goes to our event sponsor and Pride Partner, Prism Counseling and Support LLC, for helping us create tonight’s celebration. ❤️

Be in community with us and help launch a program rooted in dignity and compassion. To purchase your ticket, please visit our website https://hartfordpridecenter.org/driscoll-funds

Join Hartford Pride Center in celebrating love, diversity, and inclusion. Discover community events, resources, and ways to get involved.

09/14/2026

A great celebration. A great cause. A night that gives back. ❤️

Join us THIS FRIDAY September 18th as we launch The Driscoll Fund and come together for an evening of cocktails, dinner, entertainment, and community, all while helping people living with HIV when they need it most.

This fund is personal. It is about dignity, compassion, and making sure that when someone is facing a difficult moment, Hartford Pride Center is there.

We are honoring Thomas Driscoll, whose life and memory helped inspire this work, and beginning a new chapter of caring for our community in his name.

Join us for an unforgettable evening of dinner, drinks, entertainment, and a celebration of what happens when a community comes together and chooses love over stigma.

📍 September 18th | 6 PM
🥂 Dinner | Entertainment | Drinks
❤️ Benefiting people living with HIV

Come celebrate the launch. Come hear the story. Come be part of the legacy.

The Driscoll Fund. Because no one should have to face a difficult moment alone.

09/10/2026

Next Month! ✨

By Kevin Ferrisi – Fifty years is a long time for any nightclub, but for Chez Est, reaching the half-century mark is about much more than longevity. The Hartford institution has spent five decades serving as a gathering place for Connecticut’s LGBTQ+ community, and this October, the club will ce...