Profile: The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center

Mission Statement

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.

Guiding Principles

The principles that guide the actions of The Center Board, volunteers, and staff, as well as the design and implementation of all Center programs, shall be

• Inclusiveness and diversity founded on human and civil rights for all,
• Financial stability and integrity,
• The Resource Enhancement and Community Health (REACH) programming objectives,
• Collaboration with consumers and other community agencies to provide a continuum of care & services,
• Compassionate, quality service delivery,
• Continual Quality Improvement,
• Leadership Development,
• Cost-Effectiveness, and
• Measurable Outcomes.

Non-Discrimination Policy

The Center is committed to a policy of non-discrimination in employment and in the provision of all services.

It is an explicit goal of all Center programs to be inclusive and representative of the diversity found in the San Diego community. Honoring, promoting and celebrating our community’s diversity is a central organizing principle for The Center, as well as a part of our mission statement. Every staff member, board member, and volunteer is committed to helping to create an environment where each individual can feel respected, welcomed, and understood. The Center provides services without regard to race, ethnicity, color, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, ancestry, genetic characteristics, political belief or activity, status as a veteran, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state and local laws.

Organizational Background

The San Diego Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center, Inc., (d.b.a., The Center) is the nation's second oldest and third largest LGBT community center. Functioning as the LGBT community's leadership organization, The Center is led by a 20-member board of directors, employs over 40 paid staff and utilizes more than 400 community volunteers. Incorporated in 1973 as a community-based, non-profit, 501(c) (3) agency, The Center has more than thirty-three years of experience as a health and human services agency. In 2006, The Center provided direct services to more than 25,000 community members and through its events, activities and advocacy, touched the lives of thousands more.