SAVANNAH, Ga. () – Workers at Georgia’s only pride center are raising concerns about what they call a dangerous lack of LGBTQ+ medical care in the Savannah area amidst a series of threats to employees.

“I got my first death threat about a month ago in Savannah,” Executive Director of the Savannah Pride Center Michael Bell said. “It’s important to realize that while we live in this bubble that is Savannah, I know our community still goes places and feels not safe.”

Despite Savannah’s growing population and growing number of LGBTQ+ people who need services, the Savannah Pride Center is one of very few local options for people to access those services.

“The only LGBTQ medical practice in town, Starland Family Practice, has a 12-month waiting period. So, that is an indicator that there’s such a community here that is in need of care,” Bell said. “We see people from four hours in any direction but the ocean.”

One of those people is Nikolas Indigo.

“I grew up in Lakeland, Florida in a strict religious cult, strict gender roles, strict everything you could possibly imagine,” Outreach Team Lead at the Savannah Pride Center Nikolas said. “When I came into myself sexuality-wise, it was very much, I need to kill myself right now.”

Nikolas found Savannah Pride Center after a harrowing experience coming out to family.

Now, Nikolas works to help others who come to the pride center, despite facing obstacles even still here in Savannah.

“I should’ve already had gender-affirming top surgery…The doctor had called me and told me the news that the hospital here had pulled back on gender affirming surgeries,” Nikolas said.

According to those at the pride center, the demand for more LGBTQ care options is already here.

“We need more healthcare providers, practitioners, providers, we need people in affirming care or who want the training to become affirming care to step and to have a successful practice. It’s all here,” Bell said.

Healthcare professionals also stressed how the lack of providers can lead to people going without care.

“Right now, it’s the Sahara Desert. There are just not providers interested,” Nurse Practitioner and volunteer at Savannah Pride Center Georganna Wiley said. “When you get into this niche of gender-affirming hormones, it’s almost impossible. If you can’t get into Starland, some providers will continue the hormones but won’t start them. So, it’s a really huge barrier to care access.”