Press Releases
Hartford, Conn., May 12, 2025 — The Health Collective is thrilled to announce the 31st Annual Queer Prom, taking place on Thursday, June 27, 2025, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at the iconic Mark Twain House in Hartford. This beloved event provides LGBTQIA+ youth with a vibrant and affirming evening of celebration, community, and self-expression. This year’s theme, “Enchanted Forest,” invites attendees to step into a magical world where every young person is honored and celebrated. The prom is open to LGBTQIA+ high school junior and senior students across Connecticut. Schools are also invited to share this opportunity with their students and support youth participation. “Queer Prom is more than a dance, it’s a celebration of identity and inclusion,” said David A. Grant, Executive Director of the Health Collective. “Every young person deserves to experience joy and belonging, surrounded by community.” “For over thirty years, this event has been a safe haven and a source of joy for our youth,” added Kay Muñoz, Director of Community Engagement. “This year’s theme embraces the beauty of growth, resilience, and connection.” Tickets are $30, and sponsored tickets are available to ensure cost is never a barrier. Those interested in sponsoring a student can contact Kay Muñoz at kaym@healthcollective.org . The evening will include music, dancing, light refreshments, and an immersive, inclusive atmosphere that uplifts every identity. Don’t miss our local entertainment and our partner organization, Q+. The venue is fully ADA accessible, and quiet areas will be available for those who may need a break from stimulation. The Health Collective is also seeking volunteers to help make this night a success. All volunteers must complete a DCF background check. For more information or to sign up, contact Kason at kasond@healthcollective.org . To register, visit: https://www.giveffect.com/campaigns/38775-queer-prom . To sponsor a student, email Kay at kaym@healthcollective.org . Help us spread the magic! Share this announcement using #QueerPromCT and follow @healthcollectivect for updates, stories, and sneak peeks. Media Contact: Brayden Ransom, Community Impact Manager The Health Collective 860-999-0085 | braydenr@healthcollective.org About The Health Collective Our mission is to promote healthy living, provide high-quality, compassionate care, and advocate for systemic solutions to the healthcare access barriers and health disparities faced by minority groups. We are committed to being a beacon of hope and healing for the LGBTQIA+ and broader communities in Connecticut. By delivering medical, dental, and social support services, the Health Collective is dedicated to advancing health equity and improving the well-being of Hartford’s most vulnerable individuals. Additional information can be found by visiting www.healthcollective.org. ###
Hartford, CT — In 2025, Hartford Pride & Concert , a beloved tradition and a committee of CLARO, Inc., will celebrate its 16th anniversary in the City of Hartford. This year, a new chapter begins as The Health Collective proudly takes the lead in planning and implementing the 2025 Hartford Pride Fest & Concert, a landmark event for Connecticut’s LGBTQ+ community and its allies. Scheduled for Saturday, September 13, 2025 , the Hartford Pride Fest & Concert will once again bring families, friends, and neighbors together on Church Street for a vibrant day of music, celebration, and community connection. “We are excited to announce that starting in 2025, The Health Collective will take the lead responsibility in planning and implementing the 16th annual Hartford Pride & Concert.”, said Charlie Ortiz, President of CLARO, Inc. and Chair of Hartford Pride. “The Health Collective’s leadership comes at a crucial time in facilitating and growing this popular event, which allows the LGBTQ+ community and its allies to come together to celebrate PRIDE, celebrate the arts, and provide a forum to share and inform resources and services”. As a growing community health organization, The Health Collective brings a unique lens to the event, aiming to create more inclusive and affirming spaces for queer joy, advocacy, and wellness. “As we take on this enterprise, we understand the need to collaborate with all of our community partners in order to create a truly inclusive and dynamic Pride festival.”, said David Grant, Executive Director of The Health Collective. “Under our vision, Hartford Pride will be a leading example of what a Pride festival can be: a space for families, seniors, queer youth and people from all walks to come together to advocate, educate, and celebrate our beautiful LGBTQ+ community.” As a health and wellness organization, The Health Collective will focus its efforts on incorporating more HIV/STI testing and education while incorporating other health and wellness demonstrations, resources, and activities. The City of Hartford also stands in support of this transition. “I am thrilled that we can partner with The Health Collective to carry forward the proud legacy of Hartford Pride,” said Curtis Rodriguez-Porter, Chair of the City of Hartford’s LGBTQ+ Commission. “We extend deep gratitude to Charlie Ortiz and CLARO for their vision and commitment that has kept this celebration thriving. With the support of City Hall and the Hartford community, we’re excited to uplift our queer community, honor our past, and celebrate alongside our allies. Together, we will make this Pride the heartbeat event of our City and State.” Hartford Pride’s legacy is deeply rooted in Connecticut’s LGBTQ+ history. The state’s first Pride event, the Connecticut Liberation Festival, was held in 1971 by the Kalos Society. Hartford Pride itself traces its roots back to 1982 and has been organized by CLARO, Inc. since 2009. To learn more and stay up to date on festival announcements, visit www.hartfordpride.org . About The Health Collective Our mission is to promote healthy living, provide high-quality, compassionate care, and advocate for systemic solutions to the healthcare access barriers and health disparities faced by minority groups. We are committed to being a beacon of hope and healing for the LGBTQIA+ and broader communities in Connecticut. By delivering medical, dental, and social support services, the Health Collective is dedicated to advancing health equity and improving the well-being of Hartford’s most vulnerable individuals. Additional information can be found by visiting www.healthcollective.org. ###
(Hartford, CT) May 2, 2025 - The Health Collective proudly announces the grand opening of its newest facility, a state-of-the-art Gender Aesthetics Center in Cromwell, CT, marking a significant expansion in its mission to deliver inclusive, affirming care to underserved communities. Located at 110 Court Street, Suite 2B , the new site, affectionately known as Health Collective South, will offer a range of wellness services in partnership with VIVID Aesthetics & Wellness , including laser hair removal, hormone therapy, weight management, vitamin infusions, Botox and fillers, erectile dysfunction treatment, and more. "The Health Collective once again is that beacon of hope and cocoon of comfort, a familiar place for us. This expansion affirms our belief that all humans get to live authentically and continues our promise of equity in our healthcare delivery”, said board President E John McGarvey. To celebrate, the public is warmly invited to a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, May 9, from 4 PM to 6 PM . Guests can enjoy complimentary food and beverages while connecting with the Health Collective team, representatives from the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, and local elected officials. "Gender-affirming aesthetic care is about more than appearance—it’s about agency, identity, and mental well-being," said Brian Gomes, APRN, a medical provider at the Health Collective. “This collaboration allows us to combine medical excellence with a compassionate, equity-centered approach that prioritizes the lived experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community.” Research continues to highlight the transformative impact of gender-affirming care. Trans and non-binary adults who access these services report improved mental health outcomes, including significantly reduced risks of depression and anxiety. “We’re incredibly proud to launch this new center as a tangible commitment to health equity and LGBTQIA+ empowerment,” said David A. Grant, Executive Director of the Health Collective. “At a time when trans healthcare is under attack nationwide, we are standing up and expanding access. Every person deserves to live as their authentic self and we’re here to help make that possible.” For media inquiries or more information, please contact: Brayden Ransom Community Impact Manager P: 860-999-0085 E: braydenr@healthcollective.org About The Health Collective The Health Collective is a nonprofit health center with over 40 years of service in the Greater Hartford region, dedicated to providing high-quality, inclusive, and compassionate care to the LGBTQIA+ community, people living with HIV/AIDS, and other underserved populations. Our mission is to promote healthy living by increasing access to care. We also advocate for systemic solutions to the health disparities faced by minority populations. We are committed to being a beacon of hope and healing for the LGBTQIA+ and broader communities of Connecticut. Additional information can be found by visiting www.healthcollective.org .
Community News
The Health Collective in Hartford, CT, offers competent and professional mental health help for the LGBTQIA+ community. Click here to learn more!
