I have always felt fortunate to be part of our wonderful and diverse San Diego GLBT community. I am constantly amazed at what our community has accomplished together. Whether it is politics, community organizing, or our generous financial support for our institution, time and time again we have taken care of each other. I remain grateful for the support I have received over the years from each of you. And it makes me realize how important it is to find ways to give back personally and professionally to our own GLBT community.

One of the places where giving back is the most rewarding is at The San Diego LGBT Community Center. Whether presenting proclamations at special events, finding ways our state government can support needed services and programs or speaking at Center rallies and forums, I always take great pleasure and pride in talking to those who are helped by the work being done at The Center. I also am fortunate enough to be able to contribute financially to its ongoing efforts.

I am a proud supporter of The Center, and never more so than over the past eight years. The programs at The Center have experienced tremendous growth in breadth and professionalism. I can remember the old Center on Fifth Avenue; small and always striving to improve, it was always a little rough around the edges. But it always had a sense of purpose and the drive to serve our community’s most vulnerable. That drive is still firmly in place and, as a result of our community’s support, The Center has become much better able to serve the diverse needs of our community.

These programs like Latino Services, Senior Services, Family Matters, Youth Services, the Women’s Resource Center and the Public Policy Department, rely on our dollars – not the government’s – to maintain their level of service to our community. They are programs built out of expressed need and they need our support now more than ever.

Now, I know times are tough for everyone, believe me – as I’ve been working on the state’s budget, I see how short we are falling in areas that matter tremendously. But our community has come together through incredibly difficult circumstances before, and I know we can do it again. While we may not be able to afford to give as much as we have before or as much as we would like, we absolutely cannot afford to lose these incredibly valuable programs that The Center provides.

Over the past several years, I have been inspired and impressed by the dedication and leadership of The Center’s Board of Directors, CEO Dr. Delores Jacobs, and the staff, all of whom with great professionalism, creativity and tireless effort manage to pull off little miracles every day.

Recently, I was remembering how Jess Jessop, one of The Center’s founders, would always sign his letters, “Yours in the struggle.” Unfortunately, our struggle continues. But fortunately, our Center also continues to help in the battle and to serve our community in profound ways as we collectively move toward full equality and true social justice. We must preserve and protect it for all those who need it today and for those who will need it tomorrow.

I know that when our community comes together at The Center – whether it is in times of triumph or tragedy – I’m always heartened that we have this place to gather, this place we’ve come to regard as our own GLBT town hall. I am committed to doing all I can to help The Center weather this difficult economic time, and hope that others will join me in that effort. Please visit www.thecentersd.org to find out what is going on at The Center, and how you can volunteer or donate. Thank you.