Pacific Center for Human Growth

The Pacific Center for Human Growth is one of the oldest LGBTQ+ community centers in the United States, founded in Berkeley in 1973. Based on Telegraph Avenue in the city's south side, it has anchored queer life in the East Bay for more than five decades. Rather than a nightlife venue, it is a genuine community hub, best known for its low-cost, sliding-scale mental health counseling for LGBTQIA+ individuals, couples, and families, alongside peer support groups, youth programming, and regular community events. The center is also the organizer of Berkeley Pride, the city's annual summer celebration. For LGBTQ+ visitors, the Pacific Center is the clearest window into the grassroots, activist character that has long defined Berkeley's queer community. Contact them for current programming, group schedules, and event details before visiting, as offerings change throughout the year.