The LGBT Center OC Blog

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE on 11/20 Miliana Singh, Health Care and Trans Services Coordinator 714-953-5428 x 338 miliana.singh@lgbtcenteroc.org Stephanie Camacho-Van Dyke, Director of Advocacy and Education 714-953-5428 x 205 stephanie.vandyke@lgbtcenteroc.org :: SANTA ANA, Calif.— On Saturday, November 16th, 2019, the LGBTQ Center OC participated in an early observation of Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), an annual observance that commemorates transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence. The event, which had 75 people in attendance, hosted a candlelight vigil and invited Blossom C. Brown as the evening’s keynote speaker. The LGBTQ Center OC recognizes at least 24 trans women of color have been predominantly affected by violence this year. Alicia Simmons 37 Maurice Willoughby 20 Nyomi Giselle Taylor 32 Dana Martin 31 Ellie Marie Washtock 38 Faye "Morena Black " Jazzaline Ware Ashanti Carmon 27 Claire Legato 21 Muhlaysia Booker 23 Michelle Simone [...]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE LGBTQ Center OC Communication Director of Marketing & Development Jackie Garcia (714) 953-5428 ext. 203 Jackie.Garcia@lgbtqcenteroc.org LGBTQ Center Orange County Breaks Through Seasonal Stereotypes with Holiday Cards Inspired by the Community SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA (NOVEMBER 13, 2019) - In a traditional and historically conservative county, LGBTQ Center Orange County is embarking on a special initiative to bring inclusivity and visibility to the families that are often hidden. This holiday season, usually a sensitive time for the LGBTQ community, the Center OC will bring to light that all types of families can celebrate the joyful time through shareable, digital holiday cards. #ProudHolidays launches on November 14th through multimedia content. The multicultural, social media campaign will include holiday card posts featuring families that don’t fit the traditional mold, such as a: same sex couple, mother with transmasculine person, and mothers with their gay daughters to name a few. [...]

Over the past three months, the LGBTQ Center OC Board of Directors and executive staff have engaged in a dialogue with Center staff, community members and stakeholders regarding our decision to allow uniformed police officers to march with us in the OC Pride parade.  The dialogue has raised our awareness of the importance of continuing to bring more voices to the table and more diversity in thought and life experience to the decision making process.  Our decision to allow uniformed police officers to march with us, may not have served our entire community.  For those who felt further marginalized by our decision, we sincerely apologize. As leaders in anti-discrimination work, it is our responsibility to represent all members of the community—-especially the most marginalized — as well as to lift up racial equity. The Board and executive staff are committed to expanding representation to ensure our community stakeholders are [...]

STAY COOL WITH OUR HOT SUMMER EVENTS! - AUGUST 2019 Friends of the LGBTQ Center OC, Summer is blazing forward, and already this season has given us a heat wave of fun, excitement, and togetherness. We began the summer with an official release of the LGBTQQ+ Student Bill of Rights, which aims to help school districts in transforming education environments into places that are safe, affirming, and understanding of LGBTQQ+ student issues and needs. We are proud to partner Youth First Orange County with the California Ed Code to establish a clear set of rights and standards to serve as a model moving forward. July recently came to a close with one of our most popular events of the year: Trans Pride 2019! As the only Trans Pride event in Orange County, we couldn't be happier to see how much the event has grown. This year [...]

SUMMER IS HERE! - JULY 2019 Dear friends and family of the LGBTQ Center OC, July is always a transformative time for us. During the summer, we take the time to reflect on our past fiscal year and all of the growth we've achieved in the community. From incorporating STI testing as a part of our free testing & prevention program, to evolving our senior services program to include social and support groups for LGBTQQ+ community members of all ages, we couldn't be prouder of how far we've come.   And we couldn't have done it without you. You have shown us that life truly gets better together, and with our strengths united, we can continue to empower the OC LGBTQQ community through programs, services, and networking opportunities.   Pride month may be over, but at the LGBTQ Center OC, we never stop [...]

HAPPY PRIDE MONTH! - JUNE 2019 To our wonderful friends and community members in Orange County, June is the month of celebrating and recognizing the progress of the LGBTQQ community in the United States. As a group, we have enjoyed advancements in our LGBTQQ movement brought about by the tireless commitment of LGBTQQ activists. We have worked for and witnessed the passing of historic legislation and policies that have helped us become more visible in our broader communities. The protection of those advancements and rights we enjoy today falls under the watch of each and every one of us. We must continue advocating on behalf of our community until every single person is free to live authentically and our rights cannot be taken away.   As we celebrate Pride this month, let’s acknowledge that Pride began when Black transgender woman Marsha P. Johnson [...]

AT THE LGBTQ CENTER OC, YOU ARE AS WELCOME AS THE FLOWERS IN MAY! Friends, family, and valued members of the LGBTQ Center OC,   May is always one of the most exciting months of the year for us. We've started May 2019 off on a spectacular note, celebrating in the success of this year's Indigo Ball. It was the one magical evening per year where friends, community members, allies, donors, sponsors, and partners gathered together under one roof to celebrate the progress and impact of the LGBTQ Center OC and the LGBTQQ community here in Orange County. Everyone came together to recognize not only the Center's achievements, but those of upstanding community members as well.   The evening started out with a super stellar visit from the 501st Legion, where characters from the beloved Star Wars franchise mingled with us while all decked out in pride gear from [...]

GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY EVEN IF YOU CAN'T ATTEND INDIGO BALL 2019 IN PERSON! Hi there, friend of the Center! This year's Indigo Ball will be bigger and more impactful than ever. We need your support to help our community honor the progress we've made together. Here's how you can help! BUY AD SPACE IN OUR PROGRAM! This year's Indigo Ball program will showcase our sponsors and community supporters with pages of ad space and shout-out opportunities. Showcase your community services, express your words to one of our honorees, or say "Happy Birthday" to one of the co-founders of the LGBTQ Center OC, Brad Brafford! There are many ways for you to give back, even if you can't make it to Indigo Ball this year. Want to learn more? Purchase your spot in our program and invest in more Indigo Ball opportunities by contacting Jasmine Rara [...]

SNEAK PEEK AT OUR LIVE AUCTION ITEMS! Hi there, friend of the Center!2 reasons why you won't want to miss this year's Indigo Ball. Here is a sneak peek of live auction items we have in store... GOODYEAR BLIMP RIDE FOR TWO Love heights and stunning views of Southern California?Then this live auction item is for you!This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for a chance to ride the famous Goodyear blimp! Enjoy a breathtaking tour of the South Bay Beaches with your very own blimp ride for two.  NAPA VALLEY STAY Enjoy a relaxing weekend retreat in the beautiful countryside of Napa Valley. This live auction package is everything you need for a mind, body, and soul getaway.Stay at the historic and newly remodeled Brannan Cottage Inn, and have lunch for 6 at the upscale Solage. All of this and more awaits [...]

An Important Time of Year for Us All!  Dear Friends, April is often one of our busiest months of the year. We hold our breaths with eager anticipation as we prepare for the Indigo Ball - Themed L.G.B.T. - to arrive. This is our opportunity not only to celebrate our impact in the community, but to also recognize upstanding community members who have contributed to the empowerment, advocacy, and support of LGBTQQ individuals in Orange County and beyond. Join us this month as we continue to bloom and grow with exciting Indigo Ball announcements delivered by our hilarious emcee, Justin Martindale! Our Torchbearer honorees include Jeanne and Gideon Bernstein, who have been vital to LGBTQQ advocacy and awareness with the #BlazeItForward movement. We will also be honoring John Whelan and Brad Prescott, two of the community's largest supporters on both an individual and organizational level. We are excited to [...]