The Los Angeles LGBT Center (previously known as the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center) is a provider of programs and services for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. The organization's work spans four categories, including health, social services, housing, and leadership and advocacy. The center is the largest facility in the world providing services to LGBT people.
History
The center was founded in 1969, by gay and lesbian rights activists Morris Kight and Don Kilhefner, along with other activists. Originally called The Gay Community Services Center, the original center was located in an old Victorian house on Wilshire Boulevard and was the first non-profit in America to have the word "gay" in its name. In 1998, the organization named its library the Judith Light Library after one of its benefactors, actress Judith Light. The current CEO is Lorri Jean.
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.
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. Woodlawn was transgender herself.
As a crowd of more than 200 gathered outside a June 2023 Glendale Unified School District Board of Education meeting, the Los Angeles LGBT Center joined organizations such as GALAS LGBTQ+ Armenian Society, the Armenian American Action Network, Southern California Armenian Democrats in voicing support for the school district's LGBTQ+ policies.
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 Los Angeles LGBT Center operates facilities in seven Los Angeles, CA locations: Anita May Rosenstein Campus - Santa Monica Blvd at McCadden Place (new HQ in 2019) 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 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 Trans Wellness Center - 3055 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 360, Los Angeles, CA 90010