About Us

Callen-Lorde is the global leader in LGBTQ+ healthcare. Since the days of Stonewall, we have been transforming lives in LGBTQ+ communities through excellent comprehensive care, provided free of judgment and regardless of ability to pay. In addition, we are continuously pioneering research, advocacy and education to drive positive change around the world, because we believe healthcare is a human right.

Our Mission

Callen-Lorde Community Health Center provides sensitive, quality health care and related services targeted to New York’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities — in all their diversity — regardless of ability to pay. To further this mission, Callen-Lorde promotes health education and wellness, and advocates for LGBTQ+ health issues.

Our History

Callen-Lorde’s grassroots heritage dates back over 50 years to the St. Marks Clinic and the Gay Men’s Health Project – two volunteer-based clinics that provided safe and confidential sexual health and primary care regardless of ability to pay. These clinics merged in 1983 to form Community Health Project, a mostly volunteer-staffed, episodic care program housing the nation’s first community-based HIV clinic. Read our full history here.

Michael Callen (1955 – 1993) Michael Callen was born in Rising Sun, Indiana, and began his career as a successful composer and singer. In 1982 he was diagnosed with AIDS (then known as Gay-Related Immune Deficiency) and quickly became a leader in the response to the growing epidemic. In 1985 he became a founding member of the People with AIDS Coalition, the first organization to spring from the AIDS self-empowerment movement. As a leading authority in the community, Michael was called to testify before the President’s Commission on AIDS and both houses of Congress. In 1990 Michael chronicled the stories of long-term survivors in his book Surviving AIDS. With Peter Allen and Marsha Malamet, he co-wrote the song “Love Don’t Need a Reason” and was a founding member of the a cappella group The Flirtations. Michael continued his work in the community and in music until his death at age 38. He is survived by his partner, Richard Dworkin.

Audre Lorde (1934 – 1992) The daughter of Caribbean immigrants, Audre Lorde was born in New York City and wrote her first poem at age twelve. In the 1950s while at Hunter College, Audre worked as a librarian and educator and became a leader in the early lesbian activist community in Greenwich Village. Her poetry was published regularly throughout the 1960s and 70s and gained wide recognition with the publication of her book The Cancer Journals in 1980, which chronicled her experience with breast cancer. In this groundbreaking work, she examined her own fears, anger and ultimately, her strength and hope. Her published writings include nine volumes of poetry and five books of prose. Audre was named New York State’s Poet Laureate in 1991 by Governor Mario Cuomo, a post she retained until her death at age 58 after a 14-year struggle with breast cancer. She is survived by her children, Elizabeth and Jonathan, and her partner, Dr. Gloria Joseph.

Annual Report

Financial Documents

Click here to view Callen-Lorde’s most recent IRS Form 990.

Click here to view Callen-Lorde Support, Inc.’s most recent IRS Form 990.

Click here to view Callen-Lorde’s most recent audited financials.

Click here to view Callen-Lorde’s financial conflicts of interest policy.

Strategic Plan

Click here to view Callen-Lorde’s most recent Strategic Plan.

Privacy Policy

Click here to read our internet privacy policy.

Compliance

Click here to view our corporate compliance policy.

Click here to view our vendors letter.

Callen-Lorde is an FTCA deemed facility and is covered by HRSA’s FTCA malpractice insurance.

This health center receives HHS funding and has federal Public Health Service deemed status with respect to certain health or health-related claims, including medical malpractice claims, for itself and its covered individuals. For more information, please see http://www.bphc.hrsa.gov/ftca/.