Why We Still Need a Gay Community Center
By: Paul Wysocki, Interim Executive Director, Billy DeFrank LGBT Community Center
Does Silicon Valley need a gay community center? Given the challenges we face in raising funds to support our work, it appears to be an open question.
In 1979, Santa Clara County and the City of San Jose enacted on discrimination laws protecting homosexuals in the areas of employment and housing. Immediately, a group of citizens organized a petition drive, two ballot measures were proposed, and the voters overturned the laws.
Hurt, angry and disappointed that the voters would treat us as second-class citizens, a band of hearty activists mobilized to create a safe space to call our own. In 1981, the Billy DeFrank Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Community Center was born.
Now it’s 2009. So what’s different?
Boogie Down... 70's Party Recap
Saturday Night Fever made headlines in 1977... but The DeFrank Center boogied the night away in the Grand Ballroom this past Saturday in 2009. Hundreds appeared with outfits right out of the era famous for psychedelic colors, wild hair, bell bottoms, and platform shoes. DJ John Miranda threw down all the 70's favorites and had the crowd dancing all night. The turnout was fantastic, everyone had a great time, and raised a lot of money for the DeFrank Center. Check Out The Gallery!
|
|
You may already know that I am the new Interim Executive Director of the Billy DeFrank LGBT Community Center in San Jose, hired after the termination of the previous director in February. When I was asked to take the position, frankly, I deliberated for more than a week, calling stakeholders and investigating.
1st Annual Rainbow Elephant Sale -