ABOUT US

The Gay and Lesbian Dominican Empowerment Organization (GALDE) was founded in November 2001. We seek to increase the political visibility of the Dominican LGBT community and to provide HIV/health awareness, educational and cultural activities.

We intend to provide a safe space and essential human services to empower, educate and support Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Dominicans. We seek to organize and advocate on behalf of the Dominican LGBT community in the political arena as well as combating homophobia through educational and social activities. We plan to integrate massive outreach and educational efforts to include the many members of our community to help them live better lives.

GALDE is well known for organizing a large, community-based health fair every year for the past 17 years! In recent years this health fair has been held at Ft. Washington Park and attracted thousands of Washington Heights residents.

The Picnic / Health Fair 2006

was dedicated to:

Mr. Juan M. Mendez

A special thanks to Juan for being part of our board of directors,
for being part of our lives, for being a trusting and loving friend,
for being an excellent activist and journalist and for always
being there for all of us! We miss you Juan!!!
From the GALDE Board of Directors, staff and volunteers.