The San Diego LGBT Community Center

✨🌈 Welcome to the newest member of The Center’s Board of Directors, John Valencia (he/him)! John is new to the Board of Directors, and we welcome his passion for social change. He is President & CEO of Good For Others, which empowers organizations to develop impactful workforce development projects that drive social and economic progress.

Have you been a victim of a hate crime or hate incident, or know someone who has been a victim? Do you know of a hate crime or hate incident that has happened? Report hate crimes and hate incidents to The Center. We can provide support! 💜 Our staff are available Monday-Friday, 10am-7pm. [email protected] 619-692-2077

🌈 We are excited to team up with San Diego Gas & Electric for the OUTreach Business Mixer on September 24 at The Center! This event aims to expand business opportunities and connections for LGBTQ-owned businesses interested in securing contracts with local government and utilities. Don’t miss this one-stop shop to connect with The Center, County of San Diego, SDG&E, and many more organizations! We hope to see you there. Please visit https://lnkd.in/gbkU63gd to RSVP.

📚 Join us for a peer-led Book Club welcoming lesbian, bisexual, queer, transgender, and questioning women of all ages to gather in a friendly, thought-provoking discussion related to the month’s book selection. 📅 Wednesday, September 11th, 5-6:30pm in person in The Center's Library 📨 For info email [email protected] or visit https://lnkd.in/gX4NixHh ✨ September book selection: The Art of Dining By Tina Howe. ✨ October book selection is reader's choice: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. ✨ November book selection is reader's choice: Big Swiss by Jen Beagin. ✨ December book selection is reader's choice: Terraformers by Annalee Newitz.

✨🌈 Welcome to the newest member of The Center’s Board of Directors, Janessa Goldbeck (she/her)! Janessa will return to the Board of Directors after a brief hiatus in 2023. Janessa is the CEO of Vet Voice Foundation, a national nonprofit that advocates for veterans and military families to actively participate in our democracy.

This week, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted to require all County libraries to carry “challenged and banned books” and display them during Banned Book Week in September. The San Diego LGBT Community Center is proud to support the passing of this policy. Book bans disproportionately target LGBTQ+ and BIPOC voices, and the rise in book bans across the nation demonstrates the need to protect and uplift these voices. Ensuring access to these books is an important step in amplifying underrepresented voices to promote inclusivity, acceptance, and respect. We thank Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer for her leadership in championing this policy. #CenterSDAdvocacy

🧡 A big thank you to all the community members who joined us last Saturday at the Commemorative Tile Ceremony on The Center's patio! We had such a lovely morning filled with nostalgia, pastries, and refreshing drinks. This event was all about celebrating and expressing our heartfelt gratitude to amazing supporters like you, who have played a crucial role in our journey. #TheCenterSD

📣 The HIV Planning Group and the County of San Diego are hosting the annual 35th Dr. A. Brad Truax Award Ceremony to honor those who have made outstanding contributions to the continuing fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Participate by voting on a date for the ceremony! Choose between December 1, 2024 or December 6, 2024. Vote online by visiting this link: https://lnkd.in/gzZyWip5

💜Join us on September 20, 2024 from 6-8pm for an event focused on learning coping skills, providing community support, and sharing ways to reduce suicide. Rise Above the Stigma is hosted by The Center’s Behavioral Health Services Department, Urban Restoration Counseling Center, and other community partners. RSVP: https://lnkd.in/g5qFzB7g

📣 The World Health Organization has declared a global health emergency due to a more dangerous strain of #mpox that has affected tens of thousands in Africa. Although there are no immediate risks in the U.S., the CDC still recommends that individuals at higher risk receive full vaccination. It’s good to be extra about your sexual health and wellness. Learn more about where to get the MPOX vaccine, resources, and additional preventive measures to avoid MPOX at thecentersd.org/mpox