LGBT Community Center in San Diego: Overview Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender

1. The San Diego Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual, Transgender
Community Center
3909 Centre St.
(619) 692.2077
Hillcrest
thecentersd.org
Additional
locations in
Hillcrest
Over 50 programs

2. SD GLBT Community Center
Second Oldest in U.S.
Third Largest in U.S.
Began with an answering machine in
Jess Jessop’s home in 1971
Served 25K directly in 2006 alone
Many other individuals served
indirectly
Always based in Hillcrest

3. The “Gay Center” is Controversial
Sexuality is still a taboo subject; “sexual
minorities” suffer heavy consequences
Religious beliefs sometimes conflict w/
non-mainstream view of marriage & family
Gays falsely associated w/pedophilia.
Indeed, it is committed overwhelmingly by
heterosexual, married men
False belief that children of same-sex
couples end up damaged

4. Mission
The mission of The San Diego LGBT Community
Center is to enhance and sustain the health and
well-being of the lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender and HIV communities by providing
activities, programs, and services that
* Create community,
* Empower community members,
* Provide essential resources,
* Advocate for civil and human rights, and
* Embrace, promote and support our cultural
diversity.

5. Programs at “The Center”
Over 50!
Over 25K served in 2006
5 of these target children & youth:
Family Matters, Youth Center, Youth
Housing, Youth Fund, Scholarship
thecentersd.org to see all 50

6. Some other Center programs:
See www.thecentersd.org
Discussion Groups (Original)
Counseling & Support
Cyber Center
24-Hour Crisis Line
Women’s Resource Center
Senior Programs
Classes (Yoga, Dance, etc.)
HIV Prevention & Support

7. Family Matters
Infant/Toddler
Playgroup
Big Kids Playgroup
Parenting Classes
(open to all)
Considering
Parenthood Group
Over 1000 families,
largest of its kind
Began 1995

8. Big Kids Play Group
SDFamilyMatters.org
Meets once a month, 2nd Saturday
For 2 hours
In Balboa Park

9. Hillcrest Youth Center
www.youthcentersd.com
3777 4th Ave. in Hillcrest
Education- cyber, health & HIV prevention,
financial, life skills, leadership, HIV prevention
Drop-In Center for Youth ages 14-20
Fun – Movie Nite, etc.

10. Youth Housing Project
Much planned for, then began 2005 with enthusiastic
community support, including Councilmember Toni Atkins
Many GLBT, Questioning are homeless. Suicide rate high
23 units – Individually-tailored programs. Case
management, mental health, health care, employment
readiness, life skills

11. Youth Fund & Scholarship
Fund for youth ages 13-18
for education-related expenses,
books, supplies and clothing
Scholarship assists GLBT youth who
have a commitment to “give back” to
the GLBT Community

12. Community Coalition Breakfast
Tomorrow, Friday
November 16!
Dr. Carl Cohn, Supt. Of
SDUSD
Discussing GLBT students
& teachers
No reservations needed,
7:30 – 9 AM
3rd Friday each month
Different GLBT topic each
month
Full breakfast $10 donation
Coffee & Tea
complimentary to attend

13. GLBT Youth & Families Info
http://sociologisttina.weebly.com/ (for this list!)
Thecentersd.org
Familyequality.org
Glsen.org
Pflag.org
apa.org/pi/parent.html
gayparentmag.com
http://gaylife.about.com/od/gayteens/a/gaysuicide.htm