The 2004 elections have been difficult for many in the LGBT community. For our national community, one of the most disheartening parts of the election results was the passage of anti-LGBT marriage/relationship recognition amendments in 11 states. Our hearts, prayers and support go out to our brothers and sisters who have seen their own neighbors and sometimes family members denied the legitimacy of their relationships.

Four years ago in California, we experienced the pain of a statewide anti-LGBT ballot initiative. Motivated by ignorance, fear and political gaming, Proposition 22 attempted to deny our families the equal protections we deserve.

But I also must share with you that the board, staff and volunteers of the San Diego LGBT Community Center are more committed than ever to continuing our work for full equality. We know that the road toward justice is long – and that some of the journey will be difficult. We are also no less certain that in our quest for justice, we will prevail.

While there were certainly setbacks, there were also successes. Nationally, polls showed that 60 percent of Americans support some sort of legal recognition for same-sex couples. That’s an amazing increase in less than a year. Locally, San Diego County turned out the largest number of voters in history. The Center led an unprecedented collaborative effort with 40 local LGBT organizations to turn out the largest LGBT vote in San Diego history. That effort – and its success – illustrates our community’s commitment to work as full civic participants within the city and county of San Diego.

I remain proud and honored to be a part of LGBT San Diego. We are a community that has always stepped up to meet challenges. We are a community that has always understood that our health and well being are intimately connected to the pursuit of justice and equality. Our history is steeped in courage, vision and perseverance.

We are a community that had the courage to start a Center more than 30 years ago, at a time when that kind of vision was simply unimaginable.

We are a community that was one of the first to respond to AIDS when it began to impact our men two decades ago.

We are a community that fought for and passed San Diego’s Human Dignity Ordinance, which provides real protections for LGBT people against discrimination.

Our community has and always will be committed to making the world a better place, and you can be proud to know that your Center makes a difference in the lives of thousands of LGBT San Diegans every day, every week, every year. We serve and connect our community like no other organization in San Diego County. Our Center is a place where all are welcome and all our served. In the spirit of hopefulness and resolve, I want to share with you some of The Center’s accomplishments over the past year.

This year alone, our Center (with the generous help of Drs. Reuel Olin and Robert Grinchuk) created a staff position for our senior services program.

This year alone, our Center ensured that the 600 LGBTQ youth that come to the Hillcrest Youth Center every month have a safe place to be.

This year alone, our Center provided over 100 community groups with a place to meet every month.

This year alone, our Center welcomed a Latino Services Program designed to help unite and create community within the whole of San Diego.

This year alone, our Center hosted over 75 community forums that brought people together on every type of LGBT issue from healthcare to family protections.

This year alone, our Center served more than 500 clients each week through our health and mental health services programs.

This year alone, our Center’s weekly e-newsletter connected 10,000 people to services, programs and events.

This year alone, our Center opened our doors to almost 2,000 people every week that came to The Center for information, connection and services.

In the wake of all that happened nationally, I am also reminded that we in San Diego have an especially important role in our quest for LGBT equality.

San Diego is one of the few cities in the country that has a safe place like The Center to gather, serve and connect our community. The very existence of The Center in San Diego serves as a beacon of hope for so many across the country. It is a beacon that we are charged to guard and protect, and I have no doubt we will continue to do that work.