I found this lace a couple of years ago, it has remained a nice safe comfortable place with both gay and straight people there it's open to everybody. And the lady who runs it her name is Gabrielle. They look a little eccentric, but she is knowledgeable and she runs a tight ship and she is a fighter for the cause whatever it is. I like the bingo night on Wednesdays, but they have different groups and stuff other days of the week. I think everyone should take a look in there and see which really there. When you walk in it looks old there not much going on but you go upstairs and all the rooms and stuff for the classes the library everything is there my opinion it's a 5 Star Pl. to be. read more

Billy DeFrank LGBT - Community Centers Near Me - San Jose, California

I love what they have to offer. I just dont plan to come back. Not sure if they had a sewer problem or not, but the place just smelled of piss. I ended up leaving early because I was afraid I was sitting on it. I couldn't really tell where it was coming from, I smelled it as soon as I went upstairs though. read more

I only came to Billy DeFrank LGBT Community Center a few times on Sundays to attend a church service since last December. The facility was pretty clean and the restroom was well kept. I have been here for many decades at a previous location not far from here. This location on Santa Clara Street is more compact and easier to get to. I really appreciate the donors who helped this center to thrive and continue to host activities for the youth. read more

See all

This is a great community center that puts on events quite often. I went to their first ever Pride Health event that was outdoors on a sunny day in March 2023. They had drag shows, vendors, salsa lesson, and salsa performance. They have a beautiful mural on the side of the building. read more

See all

To be fair, I can only review Wednesday Night Bingo. And I will. But I am glaad that this resource exists. For everyone who needs it, but especially for the youth of the community, who may or may not have a good support system at home and school. Bingo rocks. I've played my share of Bingo in the big, crowded halls. Gay Bingo is so much more fun! The crowd is a fraction of the bingo hall crowd. So your chances of winning are much higher. The cost is less, both for your cards and for snacks and soft drinks. The players are less cranky and serious. You get out at a decent time, so you can get to bed if you have an early Thursday, or you can go out and have pizza and beer with your friends. All in all, it's just more relaxed and casual. But best of all is the glamorous bingo sign you get to hold up when you win! http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/TrueWkNIShuD4_Q_ddPsTA?select=XvFopBDFNVic-h1k-J3NWg read more

Billy DeFrank LGBT - BINGO! - Community Centers Near Me - San Jose, California

An absolute great place to volunteer and work for. I volunteered here for a couple of months doing bingo on Wednesday nights and they get a packed house for the third Wednesday bingo. They also do a ton of work helping the LGBTQ youth. They provide with a ton of testing and resources for people in the community. Plus they have the perfect wall to take pictures. read more

Ah. Wednesday night bingo. I think it's a bit light on the explaining and a bit fast in the calling, but a ton of fun none the less. I love the super furry the Bingo holders :D It's a great way to blow twenty bucks and have a night of fun, especially if you go as a group and enjoy watching the seriousness with which several people take it. Hey, over here! BINGO! read more

A very good friend of mine had a scary experience, and was afraid that he may have been exposed to the HIV virus. He couldn't eat, couldn't sleep, couldn't think of anything else. AND without health insurance, the first appointment he could get elsewhere was four days ahead. I know about Billy DeFrank because of an old friend who worked there 5 years ago, so called and learned that their free testing began again, Wednesday nights through Friday nights. So I left work early the next day (Wednesday), picked up my friend, and went to make certain everything was okay. Big parking lot nextdoor, free for three hours. Bonus. Went inside and there was only one person ahead of us. Bonus number two. He signed the paperwork and I did too, since I was about due for a regular 6-month checkup as well. Five minutes later, he was in. The gentleman who took him in was really friendly and had a calming demeanor. I can't think of anything more necessary under the circumstances, and was really grateful for my friend that this was the case, because unfortunately it's not always true. I'm in the medical field, work in a medical center, and see MDs with bad bedside manners. Okay, not at MY center, but I certainly have interacted with a few... My roommate came out to wait for his results, and seemed calm... reassured. I went in and did my test, and also found the gentleman to be very friendly, calming, reassuring. I wish I'd gotten his name, because his bosses should know that he's really great (African-American, male, tall-ish, solid build, 40s). We both tested negative (thank God) and were able to get in and out in about half an hour. Confidential and Anonymous testing is both available (they'll explain the difference), there's little wait, and the people are nice. You can't beat that. It's the first time I've been tested at an LGBT center as opposed to a regular medical center... and I have to say... the whole experience was just better all around. This is definitely where I'll return as long as I live in San Jose. read more

Free and Rapid HIV testing. A wonderful youth coordinator, Cassie, who works her butt off to make the center a fun welcoming and relaxing environment for everyone. the best youth queer dances everr! I went on a retreat with other youths from the center and it was one of the most fun i've had! movie nights, bingo nights, open mic nights, etc i miss this place read more

I came here for gay bingo and had a great time! Everyone was really friendly and helped explain all of the rules to each game. It was not overwhelming or fast paced and it was a lot of fun. They had a legit bingo board set up for the call numbers that was easy to follow and read. They have a couple different games you can buy into and extra ways to win. I won a raffle and got an adorable stained glass square. When you come be prepared to purchase a dabber if you do not own one, as they are required and available for purchase at 2 dollars each. I will absolutely be back for more events! read more

See all

It's not just about the gay bingo! A friend had to drag me to one of the many support groups that the DeFrank center offers. I say "drag" because I was too chicken-shit to go alone. I'm still amazed at how many services this place offers, and how friendly and helpful the staff and group moderators are. It took one night, one group meeting, and I'm a convert. And as a recent convert I have become obsessed with spreading the message and trying to convert others to the wonders and awesomeness of the DeFrank center. If you're in the LGBTQ community and you haven't scoped this place out yet - do it. It's an amazing resource for so many different demographics, and the services are low cost if not free. Check the calendar on their website, almost every day of every month has something going on. read more

The DeFrank serves an important and necessary role for the greater San Jose LGBTQQI community. Without a central gayborhood, the DeFrank steps in to allow us a common place to meet, make friends, and grow. As a community center run fully on volunteer labor, many thanks to the many amazing people who keep it running! read more

The Billy DeFrank LGBT Community Center is a real asset to the community. They sponsor a wide range of programs and events to assist the LGBTQ community that are always well attended. read more

I have been coming here since my sophomore year in high school. I believe this is Kinda like a safe home for gays,lesbians, bisexuals, transsexuals. I personally love this place and love what they do for the youth and people.I Loved the dances,group talks bingo I felt right at home... =] I recently just attended my last Defrank dance "Masquerade prom" why? I will be turning 21 this September and will be to old to attend unless I chaperon. I will miss this place a lot. I have a lot of fond and funny memories thanks for the good times! read more

Billy DeFrank LGBT - Gay prom 2009 - Community Centers Near Me - San Jose, California

Love the Friday night transwoman support group cyber center is great so is the Friday night transwomen Aa meeting and the Friday night game night Staff is super friendly and support I've and helpful read more

Great place for the LGBT community. They have events and meetings throughout the week! Glad I can be gay and support my fellows. They have HIV testing, gay bingo and other cool stuff! read more

They try, they really do. And they support several groups of interest to me so I've been here several times over the years. My only real complaint deals more with LGBT politics than with the center itself, which doesn't really belong here. read more

Had a very disconcerting experience when getting an HIV test from the Center. several things went wrong with my visit but the most shocking was probably being asked to leave the counseling room and wait for my results for another 5 minutes because it wasn't ready yet. In the meantime they take the next person into the room. while my test was sitting on the table and the wall next to it had an 8x10 picture of how to read the results. So the person coming in can see and interpret my results before me. Oh also as a slap in the face, that 5 minute wait turned to 40 minutes and when asked back in - I was told "I waited too long" and had to retake the test again...whole experience took 3 hours. Very professional. Unfortunately at DeFrank - it doesn't get better. read more

I'd give this place 5 stars if they had some young adult groups. Nothing much here for people around 18-early 20s. But everyone is really friendly and open to peeps from all walks of life and points of view. Unlike the peeps at the Pride Center in San Mateo that treat people like sh@# if you're not into their gender fluid identity trip, staff at De Frank center seem to welcome everybody. Gay, lesbian, trans, cis...it's all good here with everyone respected. I'd make use of this center more if it were closer to home. read more

I had a very bad experience yesterday. I reserved a space for a photo shoot with a man named Fred Carter. He specified the date and time that someone would be there to open the doors for me. I had roughly 10 models and 2 photographers waiting at the coffee shop next door Crema (who were awesome) because come 11:30am Fred Carter did not show up to open the doors, and it was 12:00pm when we were supposed to start shooting. It's not something that can easily be rescheduled, all my models and photographers and myself have full time jobs that we can't just reschedule because of incompetence. I attempted to contact him via email and phone call and never received a response about him not showing. One photographer had to leave, two models as well because we had to find a last minute location to switch to and they couldn't afford to lose anymore time because of Mr. Carter. I've yet to be in contact with anyone at the Billy DeFrank LGBT Community Center since then but I definitely will be come Monday morning. read more

Jennifers totally right---Im there every Frickin Wednesday night---ten games for 11 bucks??? Whos gonna beat that???? FUN FUN FUN and Friendly people---the regulars are competitive tho so watch out for some Bingo Craziness!!! read more

This is a great place to get counseling on anything. The staff are really friendly and welcoming!! Im going to come here more often. Id highly recommend coming here if you want counseling!!! I havent checked out any of there other activities or dances yet!! read more

Great meeting place for our LBGT community. Game night on Fridays looks like fun and there's always a huge turn out for bingo on Weds nights. I wish that there was an active women's group and groups geared towards 18-24 year olds. The groups that are most active and trans and recovery groups. If you need this additional support, you will not leave empty handed. Kudos to getting the Pride Sidewalk right outside the Center. read more

Excellent place. Friendly staff and volunteers, great interesting programs, diverse clientele. Especially enjoy yoga and Zumba and acting workshop. Would love to see some same gender partner dancing. read more

I went to see a Laborfest film. Although the audience was sparse, a thoughtful discussion followed. I also attended a Rummage Sale, and found the vendors very friendly, prices fair to crazy low, and my sister and I came away quite happy. I am straight but did not feel stigmatized at either event. Might try the Bingo Night next. read more

I took a friend to get an HIV test today and they supposidly open at 3pm, but it was 3:40pm and nothing yet. They weren't there and then they had Jumangi working the front desk with his rude I don't know anything attitude. This place is so poorly staffed and ran that they need to shut their doors. There are other places to get an HIV test that are faster, friendlier and prepared, I suggest: Planned Parenthood or The Crane Center. read more

What they do for the community is really great. Would like to see more of a presence however... It needs some good strategic marketing.

The billy defrank center is much, much better then the one in San Francisco, the one in the city doesn't care about anybody but them selfs... read more