Each year as Thanksgiving approaches, I am reminded of how truly fortunate we are to have such a strong, vibrant and involved GLBT community here in San Diego.

This year is no exception, and actually, I am feeling even more grateful than usual. Coming through the recent wildfires that devastated our city and county, I saw our community respond with heroism, selflessness and incredible generosity.

While I was impressed and moved by our commitment to helping others, to volunteering and to giving generously to those in need, I cannot say I was surprised.

I think it’s critically important not to take the important things in our lives for granted, but there is a real security and sense of comfort in knowing that this community – our community – consistently stands up and does great things.

Over the past several years, I’ve had the opportunity to see these efforts up close – when we have helped with a larger fire relief effort, raised support for homeless youth, increased participation in our HIV/AIDS fund-raising events such as AIDS Walk and Dining Out for Life or stood up for our equality by moving our city council and mayor to support the freedom to marry. There are too many examples to list of our community’s collective hopefulness, vision, courage and tenacity. But I am grateful for it all.

There are some things you don’t think about every day, but would miss tremendously if they were no longer part of your life. All of us who are part of this San Diego GLBT community are fortunate, whether we were born here or came here to be a part of it, we are part of an amazing and diverse community.

We have wonderful communities and organizations in so many realms of our lives – business, political, service, youth, senior, Latino/a, family and more. We have representation on the local and state levels of government by openly GLBT-elected and -appointed officials. We are a community that is far richer because of a unique spirit of, and commitment to, true collaboration.

We have so many organizations that serve us and advocate for our equality. In turn, they rely on us to channel our gratitude back through volunteerism and giving. We are all better off because of the hard work, passion, dedication and talent of our community’s organizations and businesses.

I am going to take advantage of the privilege of authorship to also express my gratitude for our San Diego LGBT Community Center. We are all the beneficiaries of the tremendous vision of The Center’s founders, and by all the staff, board members, donors, community members and volunteers who have made good on that vision through the last 34 years. The Center has been there for so many of us, and I’m proud to be part of the rich tradition of serving and connecting our community. I want to say a special thank you to our current board of directors, staff and volunteers for all their hard work over the past year. The Center is all that it is because of your incredible investment of your time, your amazing talent and your willingness to give your treasure.

So, for all of that, and so much more, I am truly grateful. Happy Thanksgiving!