Los Angeles LGBT Center

Los Angeles LGBT Center
The McDonald/Wright building in Hollywood, California houses the Los Angeles LGBT Center
Formation 1969
Founder Morris Kight
Lorri Jean
Website www.lalgbtcenter.org

The Los Angeles LGBT Center (previously known as the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center) is the world's largest provider of programs and services for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Dedicated to building a better world for LGBT people, the organization's work spans four broad categories: Health, Social Services and Housing, Culture and Education, Leadership and Advocacy.

History

The Center was founded in 1969, in part by gay and lesbian rights activist Morris Kight.[1] In 1998, they named their library the Judith Light Library after one of their benefactors, actress Judith Light.[2] The current CEO is Lorri Jean.[3]

On October 2, 2010, the Center became the recipient of a $13.3 million, five-year grant from the Federal United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration on Children, Youth and Families in order to create a model program for LGBTQ youth in foster care. It was the largest-ever grant by the federal government to an LGBT organization, and the only grant out of six total grants that did not go to a government agency or academic institution.[4][5]

In 2016 Holly Woodlawn's estate founded the Holly Woodlawn Memorial Fund for Transgender Youth at the Center, to benefit some of the Center's programs, including Trans Pride L.A., Trans* Lounge, Transgender Economic Empowerment Project, and trans health care services.[6] Woodlawn was transgender herself.[6]

Services

Health
  • Primary medical care by providers who specialize in caring for LGBT people
  • HIV/AIDS specialty care through its Jeffrey Goodman Special Care Clinic
  • HIV and STD testing and treatment
  • Individual/group counseling and psychiatric care
  • Crystal meth, alcohol and other drug recovery services
  • On-site pharmacy
  • Health and medical research
Social services and housing
  • Emergency shelter and transitional housing for youth
  • 7 day/week support services for homeless youth, including meals, clothing, showers, etc.
  • Support services and activities for seniors
  • Legal support, counsel and advocacy
  • Hate crime survivor assistance
  • Domestic violence survivor assistance
  • Youth mentoring and empowerment (LifeWorks)
  • Employment support with special programs for transgender people and youth
  • Family services and programs
Culture and education
  • Performances and exhibitions on the Center's stages and in its galleries
  • LGBT charter high school
  • GED program
  • Continuing education and personal-enrichment program (Learning Curve)
  • David Bohnett CyberCenter and computer lab
  • Community meeting and event space
Leadership and advocacy
  • Political and civil rights advocacy
  • Suicide prevention in schools (Project SPIN)
  • Technical support and assistance to sister organizations
  • LGBT cultural competency trainings
  • Mentoring and training emerging leaders in strategic domestic and international communities (Emerging Leaders program).

Locations

The L.A. LGBT Center operates facilities in seven Los Angeles, CA locations:

  • McDonald/Wright Building - 1625 N. Schrader Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90028-6213
  • The Village at Ed Gould Plaza (including Renberg Theater) - 1125 N. McCadden Place, Los Angeles, CA 90038
  • Youth Center on Highland - 1220 N. Highland Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90038
  • Highland Annex - 1220 N. Highland Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90038
  • The Center Weho - 8745 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069
  • Triangle Square - 1602 Ivar Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90028
  • Mi Centro - 553 S. Clarence Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Morris Kight, 83; Gay Rights Pioneer in the Southland". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 16 November 2012.
  2. ↑ "Judith Light". Faith in America. Retrieved 16 November 2012.
  3. ↑ "Management Bios". Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center. Retrieved 16 November 2012.
  4. ↑ "L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center wins $13M grant to help foster youths". San Diego Gay and Lesbian News. October 2, 2010.
  5. ↑ "L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center gets unprecedented grant". Washington Blade. Retrieved 16 November 2012.
  6. 1 2 "Warhol Muse Holly Woodlawn Endows Fund for Trans Youth".

Coordinates: 34°06′02″N 118°19′58″W / 34.100528°N 118.332728°W / 34.100528; -118.332728

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