Joyful supporters packed the new headquarters of Eugene’s LGBTQ+ community center at a grand opening and ribbon cutting Tuesday.

The Lavender Network, a coalition of five nonprofit groups serving queer and trans people in Lane County, celebrated the opening of its building at 1590 Willamette St. with an afternoon of activities and tours of its new space. Lavender Network’s move to a larger building was made possible by a $2.5 million donation from local resident Helen Shepard.

The Lavender Network plans to use the space to offer services such as free food, clothing and health care to Eugene’s LGBTQ+ community.

Helen Shepard, whose $2.5 million donation made The Lavender Network’s move to the building possible, gives a speech during an opening ceremony on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. Credit: Payton Bruni / Lookout Eugene-Springfield
People explore a room filled with free clothing available as one of the services provided by The Lavender Network at its new building. Credit: Payton Bruni / Lookout Eugene-Springfield
Streamers fly and a ribbon is cut to mark the opening of The Lavender Network’s new building at 1590 Willamette St. Credit: Payton Bruni / Lookout Eugene-Springfield
A neon sign hangs in the window at the new Lavender Network building. Credit: Payton Bruni / Lookout Eugene-Springfield
A crowd listens to a speech during the opening ceremony. Credit: Payton Bruni / Lookout Eugene-Springfield
People wait to enter The Lavender Network new community center. Credit: Payton Bruni / Lookout Eugene-Springfield
People talk outside of one the clinics at the new Lavender Network headquarters. Credit: Payton Bruni / Lookout Eugene-Springfield