Vanguard Quarterly Summer 2019 by Los Angeles LGBT Center

Summer Sum Su S um umme mm meer mer er 2019 22000119 201

Marketing & CommunicationKĂ ,L:Ë&#x2019; Frances Ampah Production Manager

Jaguar Busuego Production Designer

Nolan Ryan Cadena Operations Manager

Ari DeSano Platform and Systems Manager

Gil Diaz Media and Public Relations Director

Kelly Freter Director

Greg Hernandez Writer/Editor

Melantha Hodge Strategic Partnership Manager

Megan Phelps Managing Editor

Takashi Sato Production Designer

Kurt Thomas Creative Services Manager

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Chase Torrence Content Manager

SUMMER

Contributors Lisa Allen

Tatum Lewis

Photographer

Roberto Garcia

Betsy Martinez

Photographer

Elizabeth Grant Photographer

Lorri L. Jean CEO, Los Angeles LGBT Center

Georg Lester Photographer

Photographer

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Faye Sadou Photographer

Toni Sandoval Photographer

Marki J. Knox, M.D. Board Co-Chair

Dominic Wendel Photographer

Tess Ayers Secretary Tyler Cassity Treasurer Karim Abay LuAnn Boylan Tad Brown Sarah Dusseault Carolyn A. Dye Susan Feniger Alfred Fraijo, Jr. Dean Hansell

Carlos Medina Lucinda Moorhead Michael Mueller Michael Ormonde Loren S. Ostrow

A Grand Opening for the Ages THE ANITA MAY ROSENSTEIN CAMPUS WOWS THE WORLD

LLGCĂ?'KFMËž Michael Lombardo

Take Five WITH VOLUNTEER CELSO CARDENAS AND THE CENTERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NATIONAL COMMUNITY CENTER POLICY MANAGER TANYA TASSI

The Fab Five MEET THE NEW QUINTET FROM THE CENTERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BOARD OF DIRECTORS

WE BUILT THIS CAMPUS

Board of Directors David J. Bailey Board Co-Chair

CEO Letter

Center Notes

Center Voices

Photo Finish

Why I Give

They Do HOW MARRIAGE EQUALITY BROUGHT A COUPLE TO THE CENTERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CIRCLE OF LIFE

BY NIKITA DRAGUN

Peter Paige Jayzen Patria Frank D. Pond Eric M. Shore Don Thomas Bruce Vilanch Amy Gordon Yanow

Subscriptions VanguardĂ?GQĂ?NS@JGQFCBĂ?OS?PRCPJWĂ?@WĂ?RFCĂ?*MQĂ? LECJCQĂ?*% 2Ă?!CLRCP Ă??Ă?LMLNPMËżRĂ?AMPNMP?RGML Ă? Ă?, Ă?+A!?BBCLĂ?.J?AC Ă?*MQĂ? LECJCQ Ă?! Ă? Ă? 4MGACĂ? Ă?pĂ?2""Ă? Ă?!MNWPGEFRĂ? Ă?Vanguard. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA. Publication of the name, quotation or photograph of a person in articles or advertising is not an indication of the sexual orientation or the HIV status of such person. Moving, getting duplicate mailings, or wish to be removed from the Vanguard mailing list? Please email mediarelations@lalgbtcenter.org.

Summer 2019

CEO

LETTER

ANITA MAY ROSENSTEIN CAMPUS

Futures are Built Here

O CEO Lorri L. Jean ¬ @LorriLJean

Summer 2019

n the ﬁrst weekend of April, the Los Angeles LGBT Center celebrated one of its proudest moments: the grand opening of the Anita May Rosenstein Campus. This dream was 12 years in the making and I can say without hesitation that the reality of this two-acre campus has surpassed all expectations. Every day when I drive to work and enter the Campus underground parking lot, I am in awe of what so many determined and generous people created. It’s not only gorgeous, it’s an inspiration! There’s nothing like it anywhere in the LGBT world. In fact, we’ve not found anything like this innovative intergenerational Campus—with youth and seniors sharing a Campus with housing and services—for any community anywhere. Of course, it wouldn’t have happened without our determined and generous Capital Campaign Chair David Bailey who spent years helping us raise a total of $67 million (including $9.5 million in New Market Tax Credits). I can’t imagine a better campaign partner than David. Nor would it have happened without the extraordinary leadership of Anita May Rosenstein. Her phenomenal generosity, and that of her family foundations, totaled $8 million. Joining Anita in making pledges at the million-dollar level or above was a wonderful group of visionaries. People who understood the life-changing difference this Campus was going to make not only for youth and seniors, but for our entire community. They dug deep to help make it happen.

Prior to the Capital Campaign for the Campus, no living donor had ever made a gift or pledge to the Center of a million dollars or more. The ﬁrst to do so were Loren Ostrow and Brian Newkirk. That set the momentum going right from the start. In addition to them, and Anita and her family foundations, the following philanthropists made seven-ﬁgure commitments: • Gene Kapaloski & his late husband, Dan Renberg • The Ariadne Getty Foundation • Barry McCabe • Michaeljohn Horne & Thomas Jones • Bill & Cindy Shopoff • David Bailey & Ron Shalowitz • The David Bohnett Foundation • David Mizener & Arturo Carillo • The late Emily Gochis • The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation • Pame Schmider, Ernie Schmider & Omar Rodriguez • Mike Mueller & Nick Bode • John Cambouris This intergenerational Campus didn’t just inspire extraordinary gifts from the richest among us. It inspired people at all levels to make unprecedented gifts. All told, 335 people made gifts to the campaign, including 133 of our wonderful staff. Every donor was inspired to make a strategic investment in the future of the Center and in the health and well-being of our community. For that, I will be eternally grateful.

In fact, that collective generosity is why this campaign succeeded and why, when all pledges are paid, we will be mortgage-free. That means every dollar we raise for vital programs on the new Campus will go directly to services and not to a mortgage or a lease. The Campus also was a product of the vision and determination of our Board of Directors. Not only did they give generously and work hard to help raise money, they made wise decisions about expanding the scope of this project to take full advantage of the property. Equally important, they maintained their composure and commitment as we ran into sometimes frightening and seemingly insurmountable hurdles as construction costs in Los Angeles skyrocketed. And no one worked harder than the staff. Everyone on our Facilities and Maintenance teams, in Development, in Marketing & Communications, and more. I thank them all, especially our Chief Development Officer Bill McDermott, our Chief Financial Officer Mike Holtzman, and our incomparable General Manager of the whole project Stephen Burn. Of course, we also had to call on government for help, sometimes, ironically enough, to aid us in overcoming the government’s very own illogical and infuriating bureaucratic inefficiency that put the entire project at risk. We even experienced anti-LGBT bias. We had to call on our political leaders—many of whom have been longtime friends of the Center—to step in when the going got rough. Two times I actually had to call and ask Mayor Garcetti to personally intervene. Thank goodness he did. County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl also helped. As did the City of West Hollywood. But there was one leader who took us under his wing almost from the moment he was elected. He adopted our project as his own, becoming genuinely passionate about it. Our City Councilmember David Ryu and his amazing staff—most notably his former Chief of Staff Sarah

Dusseault—were our champions every step of the way. They cut through the red tape and also identiﬁed and fought for literally MILLIONS of dollars for this project when unanticipated costs were imposed on us by the City and State. It took a village to create this miraculous Campus (a village of people still hard at work on the project, as one senior and one youth affordable housing

Fifty years ago a Campus like ours was unfathomable. NO ONE, then, would ever have imagined an LGBT organization creating a Campus like this. People can scarcely imagine it now. building are still under construction—to be completed in late summer of 2020). I cannot imagine a more exciting way to commemorate the Center’s 50 years of service to our community—it was 1969 when some of our founders ﬁrst began providing services. (To learn more about the Center’s pioneering place in our movement, check out our history wall in Pride Hall at the Campus!) I’m sure the people who were involved with the Center in its earliest days could never have imagined that the organization they so lovingly nurtured into life would one day have the resources and ability to create a Campus such as this. Those brave founders, who were among the very ﬁrst visionaries in our movement, were the two women and four men who became our Founding Board Members: Martin Field, M.D.; June Herrle, M.S.W.; James L. Kepner; Morris Kight; John Platania; and Lee Hansen Sisson. The founding

volunteer Executive Director was Don Kilhefner. All are pictured on our history wall at the Campus. Fifty years ago a Campus like ours was unfathomable. NO ONE, then, would ever have imagined an LGBT organization creating a Campus like this. People can scarcely imagine it now. Even before the Campus opened, it became both an icon and a beacon of hope. People all over the nation and across the globe have been watching this process and they are celebrating our accomplishment right along with us. They saw the renderings and couldn’t believe our audacity. They watched the dollars raised and were blown away by our success. They heard the plan for this intergenerational Campus and the many thousands of lives it will impact every year and have been astounded. And those who have seen what we actually built feel like we do: joyous, proud, and inspired. Because of what we have done here, LGBT people and our allies outside of Los Angeles will have the courage to attempt and to achieve more for their communities than they ever imagined was possible. Now, the Campus stands as a powerful testament to our community’s decades of fortitude, resilience, and optimism and to a future of self-determination, indestructibility, and success. At a time in our nation when compassion is derided, when selﬁshness is promoted, when the highest leaders in the land are building a wall to keep the most vulnerable among us out, your Center has built a home to invite the most vulnerable IN. That is our greatest legacy: the thousands of lives that will be saved and changed here. The joy and love and comfort that will reside here. The conﬁdence and pride that will be born here.

Summerr 2019

SUMMER MOVIE SERIES More information and tickets at LALGBTCENTER.ORG/MOVIE

August/Agosto 2-3

PRESENTED BY

g n i t a r b e l e C g n i t a r b e l e C FREE ALL-DAY LGBTQ YOUTH CONFERENCE

S A T U R D A Y

OCTOBER 19 #MODELSofPRIDE LOS ANGELES CITY C O L L E G E Learn more and register at MODELSOFPRIDE.ORG Información en Español: modelsof pride.org/espanol

YOUTH TRACK Models of Pride is the world's largest FREE conference for LGBTQ youth and allies ages 24 and under. The full-day event features more than 100 workshops, a resource fair, college fair, job fair, exciting entertainment hour, and outdoor dance party—all free! Come learn about the LGBTQ community, make lifelong connections, and have a blast! PARENT & PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTE The Parent & Professional Institute at Models of Pride offers family members, educators, professionals, and all other adult supporters of LGBTQ youth an unparalleled opportunity to learn, network, and develop community with others on a similar journey. The day will include dozens of tailored workshops, discussions, resources, and exclusive programming.

Anita May Rosenstein Campus Grand Opening

â&#x20AC;&#x153;From this day forward, let it be known far and wide, that the Anita May Rosenstein Campus stands as a powerful testament to decades of our communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fortitude, resilience, and optimism and to a future of self determination, indestructibility, and success. At a time in our nation when compassion is derided and selfishness is promoted, this is our greatest legacy: the thousands of lives that will be saved and changed here; the joy, comfort, and love that will reside here; and the confidence and pride that will be born here.â&#x20AC;? -CEO Lorri L. Jean

Summer 2019

Thousands helped celebrate the historic grand opening of the Center’s new Anita May Rosenstein Campus. Expanding across a full city block in the heart of Hollywood, the Campus represents the aspirations and commitment of a community that has historically faced discrimination, violence, and marginalization, standing as an iconic symbol of the LGBT community’s resilience and creativity. It is the product of more than a decade of dreams and hard work, a public gathering place that brings the generations together to celebrate and learn from one another.

“It was just over two years ago when we broke ground on this revolutionary Campus. And in those two years, we faced every kind of challenge and roadblock. But we stayed focused and committed to the promise of the Anita May Rosenstein Campus and what it will mean to the LGBT community and to homelessness in Hollywood. Not only is the Campus the flagship and model for all others to follow, it is my flagship project to end homelessness in Council District 4. The Campus will lead by example of what life-changing solutions look like. - Councilmember David Ryu 10

Summer 2019

“My grandparents taught me that if you can give, you must give. The Campus is groundbreaking because it provides intergenerational living and support. It will bring love and hope to tens of thousands of people. I can’t tell you how much it means to me to be part of it.” -Anita May Rosenstein

Speakers (l-r) Rep. Adam Schiff, Mayor Eric Garcetti, CEO Lorri L. Jean, lead donor Anita May Rosenstein, Capital Campaign Chair David Bailey, County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, and (second from right) Councilmember David Ryu were joined on stage by Center supporters (third from right) Ariadne Getty and (far right) Lily Tomlin for the Campus grand opening ribbon cutting.

"I wish I were a giant mirror so you could see yourselves right now, this picture of Los Angeles, of people who represent every incarnation of love in this city. Love is strong in L.A. today. This is a day in which we pull together. The message this Campus sends here today is that in Los Angeles and in this world: you belong." - Mayor Eric Garcetti Summerr 2019

“Two years ago many of us gathered very close to this spot to consider what had just happened in the presidential election and what it would mean for our country and the cause of equality. We knew there would be tough struggles ahead and, indeed, some of our worst fears have been realized. But we have stayed together, we have fought together, and we will prevail together. And we see just what we’re capable of when we see this magnificent new Campus.” - Rep. Adam Schiff

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Join us in 2019 as we celebrate & commemorate 50 years of LGBT activism, service, and support!

TAKE TAK T KE E FIVE F E

Take 5 Minutes TANYA TASSI ,L:˒Á››

GET TO KNOW CENTER STAFF MEMBERS & VOLUNTEERS

HOMETOWN Green Bay, Wisconsin YEAR STARTED AT THE CENTER 2014 STAFF POSITION National Community Center Policy Manager

MANY MEMORABLE MOMENTS AT THE CENTER WILL BE WITH ME FOREVER I was desperate to find something to give my life meaning when I was hired at the Center’s Senior Services Department. I embraced being part of the LGBTQ community for the first time in my life. There have been many memorable moments at the Center that will be with me forever. When one of my clients at Triangle Square passed away, I was holding his hand as he left this Earth. Our services enabled him to remain at home instead of being placed into a care facility that may not have been LGBTQ-friendly. I became part of the Center’s Policy and Community Building team two years ago to work in conjunction with CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers. Now, after nearly five years at the Center, I am more genuine, educated, open-minded, and confident than I’ve ever been. READY TO JOIN THE CENTER’S TEAM? VISIT LALGBTCENTER.ORG/CAREERS

TANYA TASSI

Volunteer ››

CELSO CARDENAS HOMETOWN Chicago, Illinois YEAR STARTED AT THE CENTER 2015 VOLUNTEER POSITION Information Specialist and Special Events

CELSO CARDENAS

I FELT LIKE I GOT MORE FROM THE CENTER THAT NIGHT THAN WHAT I GAVE As a volunteer Information Specialist, I pride myself on greeting people who visit the Center, ensuring they feel welcomed in the space and answering any questions they may have. I am inspired by all the amazing work the Center is doing. An example of that was the day after the 2016 presidential election. I was scheduled to volunteer at the front desk but was feeling down and out-of-sorts. The Center hosted a rally that same evening to help the community come together. I stood listening to community leaders speak to the crowd. They encouraged attendees not to be discouraged and to instead use this as a catalyst to ﬁght. Instead of feeling disheartened, I felt reinvigorated. It felt amazing to be surrounded by my community. I was there to serve the community, but I felt like I got more from the Center that night than what I gave. READY TO JOIN THE CENTER’S COMMUNITY OF VOLUNTEERS? VISIT LALGBTCENTER.ORG/VOLUNTEER Summer Su 2019

BOARD PROFILE

High Five! Since the beginning of the year, ﬁve individuals have joined the Center’s Board of Directors. From a variety of professional backgrounds—world banking to the media industry—members of this diverse quintet are bringing their expertise and enthusiasm to the table each month to help steer the Center through our 50th anniversary year and beyond. 16

Summer 2019

It’s incredibly

life-afﬁrming.

The intergenerational aspects of what the Center is doing around LGBT youth and seniors are incredibly exciting. Sarah Dusseault

Sarah A

DUSSEAULT

longtime public servant, Dusseault’s career has focused on affordable housing and homelessness issues in Los Angeles. The Yale graduate first became aware of the Center while attending UCLA School of Law, volunteering to work on LGBT tenants’ rights issues. Working under former Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn, she was an assistant deputy mayor working on economic development and a deputy mayor for housing and homelessness. After her time as a policy advisor for Mayor Eric Garcetti, Dusseault went to work for Councilmember David Ryu in 2015. As Ryu’s chief of staff, she was instrumental in his office’s work advocating for the Center’s Anita May Rosenstein Campus. During the celebrations for the opening of the Campus in April, she took a moment to take it all in. “It’s incredibly life-affirming. The intergenerational aspects of what the Center is doing around LGBT youth and seniors are incredibly exciting,” she recalls. Now, as part of the Center’s Board, she is

focused on securing the future for the most vulnerable in the LGBT community. “The Center is providing game-changing safety nets around health care and housing for an intergenerational range in the LGBT community. It has taken the leadership mantle, along with other agencies in the area, around tackling youth homelessness and coming up with housing solutions and whole-person solutions,” she says. “I’m extremely interested in systems change to help our most vulnerable. That’s what the Center does, and I’m grateful to be a part of it.” Dusseault, now vice chair of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, is married to Christopher Dusseault, a partner at Gibson Dunn LLP who was also a lead lawyer on Perry v. Schwarzenegger, the court case that led to the overturn of California’s Proposition 8. The couple live in Pasadena in a restored 1909 home with their 12- and 15-year-old sons, two rescue cats named Caesar and Cleo, and a faithful Golden retriever named Maddie.

Summerr 2019

Annie

If we don’t

stand together and help each other and

move forward, things will go backwards. Annie Imhoff

IMHOFF

hen Imhoff moved to Los Angeles, she didn’t have medical insurance and came to the Center to access the care she needed. “Everyone needs a helping hand sometimes. With some help, you can carry on with your life and be a full-functioning member of society without falling through the cracks,” she says. “It’s hard not to be moved by the work the Center does. You see it changing people’s lives every day, just getting them through rough patches, like it did for me.” Now, as a member of the board, Imhoff is honored to be able to pay it forward. “I really believe in everything that the organization does,” she says. “It’s a place I know is hands-on and helps people on a daily basis. You see the contributions you give go to work immediately—to hot food, a bed, showers, and getting people back on their feet.” “Places like the new Anita May Rosenstein Campus are so revolutionary and

necessary,” she adds. “I love the idea of multi-generational services like the Culinary Arts program with youth and seniors working side-by-side.” Now a successful independent television producer for 25 years, Imhoff was the executive in charge of NBC’s The Biggest Loser for six seasons and a producer on Bravo’s Top Chef and Master Chef programs. She and partner Cindy Holland, vice president of original content at Netflix, have been together for six years and live in Hancock Park. They are both committed to helping the LGBT community. “The Center operates with the knowledge that there’s still a lot of work to be done. There’s this myth that we’ve gotten past all the struggles and all the fights, and we’re okay now. The fact is we have to keep on fighting. If we don’t stand together and help each other and move forward, things will go backwards.”

Michael G

ORMONDE

iving back goes hand-in-hand with Ormonde’s work as region bank president for Wells Fargo’s Los Angeles Bank division, where he extends his commitment to the communities he serves as a leader in corporate citizenship. Now, as part of the Center, Ormonde is taking his passion for community to another level. “It’s amazing to me that kids have a resource like the Center so that they can become the best versions of themselves with unwavering support,” he says. “This 18

Summerr 2019

is particularly moving to me as I grew up in a very conservative community where this did not feel possible.” A child of immigrants, Ormonde became a first-generation college student in the U.S. and graduated from Notre Dame de Namur University and ABA Stonier Graduate School of Banking. He was deeply moved the first time he took a tour of the Center’s various facilities. “Seeing the individuals who live there, getting benefits from the Center,

having a safe space, quite literally brought me to tears after the tour was over,” he says. “This is a place for all young people and adults to have resources regardless of your socioeconomic background. It is a place where you can become your best self and you will ﬁnd support and open arms.” Ormonde lives in Los Feliz with his spouse David Gilchrist.

Lucinda M

MOORHEAD

oorhead’s ﬁrst tour of the Center with her wife, TV writer Kelly Wiles, took on a special meaning as Center CEO Lorri L. Jean described the medical and emotional support available for those impacted by HIV and AIDS. “My wife’s uncle died from AIDS-related complications in 1994. She became very emotional listening to Lorri and said right out loud how incredible it would have been had her uncle had access to a place like the Center,” she recalls. “It was a really powerful moment.” Moorhead thinks tours of the Center’s new Anita May Rosenstein Campus will create many more powerful moments. “A tour of the new Campus will make anyone want to be involved,” she says. “It’s an amazing, incredible, and historic place.” Moorhead, who had been part of the

Center’s Young Professionals Council, is excited about adding to the Center’s impact as a member of the Board. “Anytime you talk to a client of the Center, it’s incredibly impactful,” she says. “Those stories remind you of how much it changes people’s lives. Whatever it is you need, the Center is going to ﬁnd a way to provide it for you, whether it be medical and mental health services, shelter, or job training. It’s a place that provides the necessities in life.” Moorhead has been an agent with United Talent Agency since 2012. She works with a roster of writers and directors whose projects have included The L Word, Generation Q, Gossip Girl, and Smash. A native of Washington D.C., Moorhead studied American Studies and World History at Hamilton College.

Whatever it is you need, the

Center is going to ﬁnd a way to provide it

for you Lucinda Moorhead

Don I

THOMAS

nvolved with the Center for many years, Thomas is looking forward to expanding his role as part of the Board. “I’d been aware of the Center initially for its health services,” Thomas says. “It quickly became so culturally significant for me, a place to meet and socialize with members of the tribe.” Of all the events he’s attended through the years, the most significant for Thomas was his first Get Centered Luncheon. “My perspective of the Center

changed at that luncheon,” he recalls. “The importance of an organization like the Center crystallized for me. The Center is a safe place where you are free to be who you are without fear or judgment. It’s a multi-generational, multi-cultural coming together.” Born and raised in New York City, Thomas graduated from Syracuse University and moved to Los Angeles in 1983. He worked in music industry public relations for MCA Records and Sony Music. He and his partner Floyd Frazier, who

live in the Oaks neighborhood of Los Feliz, have been Center donors for years and contributed to the Capital Campaign for the new Anita May Rosenstein Campus. “I’ve seen the growth of the Center over the years—it’s exploded!” Thomas said as he sat in the courtyard of the Campus recently. “It’s a great thing for the community. I’m looking forward to more growth, and I want to grow along with it.”

Summerr 2019

THANK YOU

The Los Angeles LGBT Center is extremely grateful for the support of the following new Sustaining Donors and Circle of Life members.

LEADERSHIP CIRCLE

STERLING CIRCLE

$50,000+

$3,600-$5,999

Robin J. Colman & Cheryl Bode Bill Frew* Eugene Kapaloski*

Steven Cannell & John Colicelli Julian Cervantes Farrar Steven Check Mary Church & Jessica Seaton Patrick Connors & Omar Torres Eric Finley* Viviana Franco & Rupal Patel Leah Fredkin* Jack E. Grossbart & Marc Schwartz Derek Hamilton* Edward Hodge & Michail Sykianakis Joe Lorenzo* Jessica Lowrey & Kristin Dehnert* Bruce McCarthy Kathleen A. Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Kane & Cheryl Groves* George Pao & George Schulman* Deana Rich & Melissa Sutherland 0BEEB:FĂ +:G=:EEĂ ,A>JBË&#x2019;Ă Ă #>Ë&#x2019;Ă !>@EBG Cynthia Robertson, M.D.* Dorel Shimoni & Abel Soto The Silton Family Foundation* #>Ë&#x2019;J>QĂ ,DÍąJG><D7 Bob Stiefel & Ed Imparato* Richard Allen West & Eric J. Fischer* Miriam R. Zimmerman

DIAMOND CIRCLE $35,000-$49,999 David Beugen*

DIAMOND CIRCLE $18,000-$34,999 John Mullican, John Squatritto, & Brett Bramblett*

PLATINUM CIRCLE $12,000-$17,999

For information about Planned Giving or becoming a Sustaining Donor, please contact:

Bill McDermott !FGCDĂ?"CTCJMNKCLRĂ?-Ě ACP bmcdermott@lalgbtcenter.org

Erin English +?HMPĂ?%GĚ&#x192;QĂ?-Ě ACP eenglish@lalgbtcenter.org

Kenneth Jones +?HMPĂ?%GĚ&#x192;QĂ? QQMAG?RC kjones@lalgbtcenter.org

Frank Stasio Deputy Director of Development fstasio@lalgbtcenter.org

Summer 2019

Samuel Chen* +ÍąG:E=Ă !:Ë&#x2014; QGLAB:Ă % Ă !ÍąEE:G=Ă Ă GGB>Ă "FAÍąË&#x2019;7 Michael Koch & Andrew Kohler* Carlos Medina & Denis Cagna* Peter Paige* Alison Smith* Leonard M. Wechsler*

SILVER CIRCLE GOLD CIRCLE

$2,400-$3,599

$6,000-$11,999

Robert Arnold Lee Brinkmoeller* Jason Bushman Robert Cashman* Michael Granata & Luis Pineda Henry W. Hurd* Adam Jones & Timothy Snead* Jon Kolbeck & Elmor Garlitos The Konwiser Family #>Ë&#x2019;J>QĂ %:F;>JLĂ Ă ,:G=J:Ă :=@>LLĂ Naoya Matsuda* Bruce McCarthy* Bryan Mershon, Ph.D.* Christy Morcomb & Laurie Hudson* Iain Morton* David Nakagawa Mitch Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Farrell Lee Perlman & Linda Riefberg Paul Robalino

Paul Attanasio & Amanda Attanasio* The Benjamin Family Foundation Kevin P. Berg* Robert John Floe Mark-Alan Harmon James Henneberg & Jackie Henneberg* William Hernandez Chris Laib & Lon Wahlstrom James McNamara & Francisco Laguna* Claudia Morris Pauline Perrette William Petrasich* Christopher Smith & Mark Moreno* Sheila L. Sparks* Gregory Stanton* William Thompson & Jack Vincent* Lily Tomlin & Jane Wagner* Mike Worner & Marc Harnly*

THANK YOU

SILVER CIRCLE Í?!-,2 Í?

SILVER CIRCLE

CIRCLE OF LIFE

Thomas G. Rogillio II* Elizabeth Rosenblatt & Christine King* Danny Sullivan & Lorna Harris* Edward Takashima* Scott Whiteleather* :JQGĂ 0BE>QĂ Ă :JQĂ +:HÍąHÍąJL7 Alice Wong & Michael Wong* The Wurwand Family Foundation

$1,500-$1,799

John Balasz and Laurent Graindorge Joseph Becci and Mark Denton Daryl Dean and David Woodward Judy DeLoretta and William Vergona (Vergona and DeLoretta Trust) Christopher Q. Fink Alexandra Glickman and Gayle Whitmore Rodney Gott Edward Grant and Jon Hall Jim Key Chad Kiengsiri David Kobosa and Frank Maurer Linda Lack, Ph.D. Louis Thomas LaSalvia Ralph J. Lopez Kelley Mobley and Maureen Gant Anil Mohin, M.D. and John Scholz Enrique S. Moreno Peter Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neill and Humberto Gonzalez John Parker Robert Perkins Ian Renner $>GĂ ,:Ë&#x2014; Jason L. Sanford Arthur Scotti Greg Steele Bridget Trumpet Martha Varalde Mike Worner and Marc Harnly Mark A. Zellers John Zimmerman and Robert Perdue

SILVER CIRCLE $1,800-$2,399 Genevieve Berrick Paul E. Brooks* Ward Carpenter, M.D. & Russell Hicks* Bryan J. Chamberlain, M.D.* Yvonne Cheng Beverly J. Dalby D.C.* Jon P. Dyer Chris Fowler & John Schroeder* Liz Goldwyn Zach Greenberger Eugene C. Hawkins* Michael Hitchcock Heinz L. Jacobson* William J. Kennedy Thomas Lester Nikki Levy & Scarlett Davis* David Lubell* #>Ë&#x2019;J>QĂ &:JLBG Gary McNamara David R. Nelson, M.D.* Matthew T. Oakley Stephen Reis & Paul D. Lerner* Paul Roeder & Alex Rhodes* Stephanie Small & Constance Kaplan Sean Sobottka Patricia L. Vander Kamp Steven Wright & Michael Vilkin*

Lina Alcala W. Lee Bailey Chris Chinnici #ÍąAGĂ AE>JKĂ Ă Í°:QGĂ ÍąGJ:=7 David Fong ):MEĂ :Ë&#x2019;G>JĂ Kelly Gilliam Harry Gittelson & Alberto Silva John P. Gould & Steven J. Covett Jason Greene Akaash Gupta Adele Hoppe-House & Jennifer Hoppe-House Gavin Houser +M:J:B=AĂ !MGL>J7 Ladd Jackson Shane Jenek Steve Katz Dmitry Kirillov Betti Lopez Henrique Martins John McLaughlin & Jennifer Pearson Barry Miguel #>Ë&#x2019;Ă &BBEE>JĂ Ă QJÍąGĂ &ÍąLE>QĂ Dan Monick Marc Nogal ,:FĂ (G@Ă Ă #Íą>Ă :@E:GÍąË&#x2019; Penguin Random House Christopher L. Peters Maria Porras Jonathan Reeves Millicent Ring & Irene Benavente Peter J. Sadowski David Shan Peter Shiel Jessica Slack Douglas Smith & Paul Dubord Jose Solache &B<A:>EĂ ,A:G>Ă ,L>HA>GK7 Ben Stephenson Glenn Tan & Ronald Goldhammer ,BFÍąGĂ -AÍąF:KĂ Ă Í°MG<:GĂ &BEE>JKABH7 $JBKL:Ă />JGÍąË&#x2019;

CIRCLE OF LIFE IN MEMORIAM Kenneth Pavlick Charles R. Pollack Mark Thompson and Malcolm Boyd Gregory Willenborg

DONOR LIST FOR ,-4#+ #0Ă? Ă? Ă?Ă?ĚŠĂ?+ 7Ă? Ă? *Indicates an increase in membership level. 7"G=B<:L>KĂ :Ă FMELBQ>:JĂ HE>=@>

REALIZE THE POWER OF A GIFT. Making the Center part of your legacy in your will is the most important contribution you can make to the organization. Ways to give BG<EM=>Ă OBEEKĂ :G=Ă EBNBG@Ă LJMKLK Ă ;>G>Ë&#x201C;<B:JQĂ =>KB@G:LBÍąGK Ă <A:JBL:;E>Ă @BË&#x2014;Ă :GGMBLB>K Ă J>F:BG=>JĂ LJMKLK Ă :G=Ă E>:=Ă LJMKLK Ă F>FÍąJB:EKĂ :G=Ă LJB;ML>Ă @BË&#x2014;K Ă :G=Ă J>:EĂ >KL:L> Ă QĂ BG<EM=BG@Ă LA>Ă >GL>JĂ BGĂ QÍąMJĂ >KL:L>Ă HE:GĂ ÍąJĂ F:DBG@Ă :GÍąLA>JĂ LQH>Ă Íą?Ă HE:GG>=Ă @BË&#x2014; Ă QÍąMĂ A>EHĂ >GKMJ>Ă :Ă KLJÍąG@Ă :G=Ă NB;J:GLĂ ?MLMJ>Ă ?ÍąJĂ LA>Ă Center as we build a world where LGBT people thrive as healthy, equal, and complete members of society.

LEARN MORE AT LALGBTCENTER.ORG/LEGACY Summer 2019

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Donor Profile

Decades of Giving COUPLE INSPIRED BY CENTER’S PAST, COMMITTED TO ITS FUTURE

aul D. Lerner and Stephen Reis became Circle of Life members by including the Center in their estate plans after getting married in 2014. “When we discussed which non-profit organizations to include for bequests, the Center was at the top of the list,” said Reis, a cellist and music teacher. “We know what a fine job the Center does in providing high-quality services to the most vulnerable members of our community. We are continually impressed by the Center’s work.” The couple, together for 19 years, regularly attends Center events including the Anniversary Gala Vanguard Awards, Simply diVine, and Dennis Hensley’s comedy show The MisMatch Game. “I’m amazed at what the Center has achieved in its first 50 years and I’m inspired to think about what it could achieve in the next 50 years,” Lerner said. “I have so much respect for everyone who has played a part. It is remarkable what we have accomplished as a community.” Lerner grew up in Philadelphia, went to college in New York at Columbia University, and, after working in New York for several years, moved to Los Angeles to get his Master’s degree in communications at the University of Southern

• Stephen Reis and Paul D. Lerner.

Photo: Peardon Carrillo Photography

California. He later earned an Executive from the University of Puget Sound. He went on to earn a Master’s degree from MBA at University of California-Irvine. A marketing consultant and investor, the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, he became involved with the Center in and a doctorate from the University of 1995 when he was asked to participate in Washington. He said the couple is especially moved a meeting to discuss the growing backlash from anti-LGBT politicians around the by the Center’s work on behalf of young country after the Hawaii Supreme Court people. “When we hear that 40 percent of ordered the state to grant same-sex part- homeless young people are LGBTQ and ners some form of that many have been thrown out of their homes, it is just heartbreaking,” Reis said. marriage equality. “After that meet- “It’s good to know that the Center directs ing, the Center de- so many resources to help young people cided to ﬁght for the in need.” They are particularly excited about freedom to marry, which took a fair the Center’s recent opening of the Anita amount of courage,” May Rosenstein Campus, which greatly he recalled. “Mar- expands services and affordable housing riage, and how hard options for LGBTQ youth and seniors. “The scale of the Campus is really to press for it, was controversial even in something, and it has all been so well our own community designed,” Reis said. “It’s a beautiful at that time. Being a landmark for our community, and we are part of that cause is one of the things I’m proud to have been able to contribute to most proud of in my life. And I think the the Capital Campaign. We really appreCenter has not gotten the recognition it ciate seeing the housing for young people deserves for its pivotal early role in the and seniors at risk of homelessness.” marriage equality campaign.” Reis grew up in Tacoma, Washington, and received his undergraduate degree

0>ÁDGͱOÁOA:LÁ:Á˓G>Á job the Center does in providing high-quality services to the most vulnerable members of our community. We are continually impressed by the Center’s work.

Summer 2019

Center Classes

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EVERY TUESDAY 8:00 - 9:30 P.M. Location: The Village at Ed Gould Plaza 1125 North McCadden Place A new group to explore your male identity however you choose to express it. Join us in redeﬁning masculinity! More info at groups@lalgbtcenter.org or 323-860-7332

Cada segundo y cuarto Martes a las 7 p.m. información sobre estes y otros groupos en Mi Centro: comuníquese con groupos@lalgbtcenter.org education@latinoequalityalliance.com ó llame al 323-860-7332

Trans* Spectrum The Trans* Lounge would like to invite all those who identify as Trans/GNC/ENBY and also as neurodiverse to a unique MONTHLY (first Tuesday of each month) discussion group specifically for those on the spectrum. This is a great opportunity to connect with other members of your trans/GNC/ENBY & neurodiverse community in a SAFE, small, quiet, controlled space with soft lighting, comfy chairs, fidget toys, group discussion, and activities table. For the comfort of our participants, the group will have a maximum of 15 people per meeting. We ask that you please RSVP if you would like to attend this group.

The group meets on the FIRST TUESDAY of each month from

Visit translounge.org to RSVP.

7 – 8:30 P.M.

NOTE: This group is for neurodiverse members of the community ONLY. This is not for those doing research or looking to “observe.”

The Village at Ed Gould Plaza 1125 N. McCadden Place

Summer 2019

Coming Out

V AA Happy Hour Tuesdays–Fridays, 6:15–7:15 p.m. Canceled on July 4 V

Al-Anon Gay Focus Thursdays, 7:30–8:30 p.m. Canceled on July 4 V Alcoholics Anonymous: It’s Come to This Mondays, 6:15–7:15 p.m. Canceled on Sept. 2 V Crystal Meth Anonymous Saturdays, 9:15–10:15 a.m.

Community Groups (Cont.)

Coming Out Workshops for Women Coming Out Workshops for Men Safe, nurturing workshops for anyone who is facing their own coming out process. Call 877-OUT-4-LIFE for recorded information and instructions for enrollment. More information at comingoutla.org

Community Groups

V Gay & Lesbian CODA Tuesdays, 8–9 p.m. V

Marijuana Anonymous Wednesdays, 7:30–8:30 p.m. V

NA: Heartbeat of Recovery Mondays, 7:30–8:30 p.m. Canceled on Sept. 2 V

OA Thursdays, 7:30–8:30 p.m. Canceled on July 4

V 30+ Lesbian Chat Meet women outside of the bars. Every 1st & 3rd Fri., 7:30–9 p.m. V Bi-osphere* Explore and discuss the many shades of today’s diverse bisexual community. Mondays, 8–9:30 p.m. Canceled on Sept. 2 M Gay Men’s Prostate Cancer Support Group Every 1st & 3rd Tues., 7–9 p.m. Sponsored by Cancer Support Community Benjamin Center. Call 310-314-2555 or visit CancerSupportCommunityBenjaminCenter.org

V SCA – Step Study Thursdays, 7:30–8:30 p.m. Canceled on July 4 V Sex & Love Addicts Anonymous Thursdays, 6:15–7:15 p.m. Canceled on July 4 V

Sexual Compulsives Anonymous Mondays, 8:45–9:45 p.m. Wednesdays, 7:30–8:30 p.m. Saturdays, 10:30–11:30 a.m. Canceled on Sept. 2 V

UA: Artist in Prosperity Tuesdays, 6:15–7:15 p.m. V Women’s AA Wednesdays, 8:45–9:45 p.m.

¡Hablemos! Latino/Latinx discussion group Every 2nd & 4th Tues., 7–8:30 p.m. V HerStories* A gathering place for all LGBT women who want strong community and great conversation. Mondays, 8–9:30 p.m. Canceled on Sept. 2

V Trans* Spectrum Safe, small, quiet, controlled space for neurodiverse members of the Trans/GNC/ENBY community. Limited to 15 people maximum per meeting. RSVP at translounge.org Every 1st Tues., 7–8:30 p.m.

Ofﬁces on Las Palmas 1111 N. Las Palmas Ave.

* Groups may not welcome late arrivals.

Senior Groups For more information about Senior Services classes, please call 323-860-7322 or visit facebook.com/50pluslgbt

SC Men Living with HIV Thursdays, 1–3 p.m. Canceled on July 4

Alzheimer’s LGBT Caregiver Support Every 2nd & 4th Thurs., 10:30 a.m.–Noon

SC Bereavement Support Group Tuesdays, 1–3 p.m. SC Bingo 1–2:30 p.m. Call 323-860-5830 for dates.

Mi Centro 553 S. Clarence St.

SC Housing Supportive Network Every 2nd & 4th Thurs., 11 a.m.–Noon SC Juggling Hour Wednesdays, 2–3 p.m. SC Men’s Drop-In Support Group Wednesdays, 10 a.m.–Noon Mi Movie Club Every 2nd Tues., 2 p.m. SC Qi Gong Call 323-860-5830 for dates and times. SC R&B Line Dancing Call 323-860-5830 for dates and times SC Stitch N Bitch Club Call 323-860-5830 for details.

Thursday Hikes Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. Call 323-860-5830 for details.

To RSVP, email seniors@ lalgbtcenter.org or call 323-860-5830.

V Beginning Tap Dancing Lessons Call 323-860-5830 for dates and times.

1625 N. Schrader Blvd.

Get Out & Bowl Every 2nd Tues., 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Call 323-860-5830 for details.

Every 1st Wed., 7:30–9 p.m. July 3: My Ex-Life: A Novel by Stephen McCauley Aug. 7: Famous Father Girl: A Memoir of Growing Up Bernstein by Jamie Bernstein Sept. 4: Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado

McDonald/Wright Bldg.

SC Farmer’s Market (Free) Every 2nd & 4th Mondays, 11 a.m.

V Village Readers An LGBT reading and discussion group.

SC L

SC Country Line Dancing Call 323-860-5830 for dates and times.

Transgender Perceptions* Conversations and communitybuilding for transgender and GNC people. Fridays, 8–9:30 p.m.

SC Art Lab Fridays, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

MasQ: Redeﬁning Masculinities Discussion group for all who want to actively redeﬁne and explore the possibilities of what it can—and should—mean to be masculine in this world. RSVP at translounge.org Every 3rd Thurs., 7–8:30 p.m.

SC Chair Yoga Wednesdays, 11 a.m.–Noon

LGBT Adult Special Needs Support Group Every 2nd Wed., 6–7:30 p.m.

Senior Groups (Cont.)

Group Meetings

12-Step Groups

Valley Social and Networking Group Thursdays, Noon–1:30 p.m. Metropolitan Community Church 5730 Cahuenga Blvd., North Hollywood 91601 Call 323-860-5830 SC Veteran’s Support Group Every 1st & last Tues., 1–3 p.m.

Walking Club Every 1st & 3rd Thursdays, 2 p.m. Hollenbeck Park 415 S. St. Louis St., Los Angeles 90033 T Water Aerobics Every Tues., 2–3 p.m.

Anita May Rosenstein Campus, Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Senior Center 1118 N. McCadden Place

Triangle Square 1602 Ivar Ave.

The Village 1125 N. McCadden Place

Empty = Offsite

Summer 2019

CENTER NOTES

News and notes from the Center’s life-changing and life-saving programs and services L.A. PROUD As part of our 50th anniversary, several local organizations celebrated the Center during Pride month in Los Angeles. The Center was honored as the Organizational Grand Marshal at this year’s L.A. Pride Parade, which recognized the organization as having “made an indelible and important mark on the LGBTQ+ community that has improved and enriched the lives of many individuals who have faced so much adversity.” The Los Angeles Dodgers honored the Center with the Community Hero Award at the team’s seventh annual LGBT Night, and the LA Galaxy designated the Center as an ofﬁcial partner for its sixth annual Pride Night. The City of Los Angeles also honored the Center as part of LGBT Heritage Month. “Thank you for being an angel in the City of Angels,” said Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell.

STRIPPED DOWN TAKING THE FIGHT TO THEM The Center is part of a federal lawsuit ﬁled by Lambda Legal, Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, and the Center for Reproductive Rights challenging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services “Denial of Care” rule which encourages healthcare providers—including doctors, nurses, and EMTs—to deny medical treatment and services to patients because of personal religious or moral beliefs. The rule is especially harmful to transgender people, women seeking reproductive care, and people seeking access to PrEP, and is a clear violation of civil rights law, medical ethics, and basic human values. The Center is one of 10 organizations included in the lawsuit.