More than six thousand community members will visit The Center this holiday season. Some will come to be a part of fun activities, others to connect with friends who are 50 and better or other GLBT families. Youth will come to celebrate holidays in a space that is their own. Some others will come for continuing or new support and services, such as HIV services, family services, mental health services, help finding resources and more.

Others will come to feel a sense of connection and to alleviate the isolation the holidays may bring. This is a time of year that traditionally centers on family – gathering together in celebration, renewing and reaffirming lifelong connections, driving each other crazy in the safety of knowing that here we belong. But, in a twist of sad and painful irony, many of those who claim to stand for family rally around the battle cries of fear and homo-negativity that have helped to make the holidays a painful reminder of the loss of family for far too many.

While some of us begin the traditional holiday season with family and in thankfulness and gratitude, others are not so fortunate.

Our urban streets are full of far too many GLBT youth who are estranged from their families. And far too many of those youth have been kicked out of their homes because of their sexual orientation. Our senior living facilities are far too full of those who have no family to visit and who have lost too many friends to the AIDS epidemic. The daily isolation that far too many seniors face throughout the year is exponentially greater during the holidays. Too many of our GLBT-headed families are still estranged from their families of origin, making the “traditional” holiday experience, complete with grandparents and extended family, impossible. Too many cannot find a place of worship where they feel welcomed and celebrated for all of who they are.

Too many GLBT people are left outside of the embrace of family, faith and the broader community because of a fundamental part of their being, the unalterable fact of sexual orientation. But, no matter how isolated they may feel at this time of year, they do have a place, they do have a community waiting to connect with them.

The Center has always been and continues to be committed to providing all who come to us during the holiday season with a place every GLBT San Diegan can know is theirs; a place that welcomes them, that celebrates their lives and that connects them to the vibrant and rich GLBT community.

This strong, welcoming community exists because of the work, the dedication and the deep sense of caring that so many of you bring to it. Your ongoing kindness and generosity in providing the gifts that make it possible for us to continue to care for all those who need a home for the holidays are deeply appreciated. It is our honor and privilege to serve the San Diego GLBT community, and each and every one of you makes those life-changing services possible. On behalf of The Center’s board of directors, the more than 600 amazing volunteers, the staff and the many clients we serve – thank you!