I’m as guilty as the next person of not always remembering how grateful I am for all the wonderful people, organizations and gifts in my life. There are some things that you don’t think about every day but that you would miss tremendously if they weren’t a part of your life. During this time of year, when we’re reminded to give thanks, I want to take this opportunity to do just that.

First and foremost, I am grateful for my family. I am so fortunate to have such an amazing and supportive partner. This year, Heather and I welcomed into our family our daughter, Ryan, who reminds me every day of what a miracle life can be. And I am also thankful for my adult daughter, Teresa, who makes me so proud and who I truly admire. Every parent wishes for a son or daughter who is more than they have ever been, and Teresa fulfills that dream for me.

And I am incredibly grateful to be a part of our San Diego LGBT community.

I feel so fortunate to live in a city with a nationally renowned Pride celebration. Our San Diego LGBT Pride organization not only gives us one of the best weekends of the year, they also contribute throughout the year by giving back a portion of the funds raised during that weekend to community organizations.

Our local business community thrives because of the hard work of the Greater San Diego Business Association (GSDBA). Like San Diego LGBT Pride, the GSDBA also creates opportunities for its members to give back, through golf tournaments and other fund-raisers. The GSDBA and its member organizations make a difference for all LGBT San Diegans.

San Diego is also home to one of the most incredible communities of families. Our community has led pioneering efforts to create safe places and vital organizations for LGBT parents and their children, as well as those considering parenthood. Family Matters is one of the finest local parenting groups in the country, and hundreds of San Diego LGBT families are grateful for their work.

Additionally, I am grateful for the Imperial Court de San Diego, one of the most active and impressive chapters in the International Imperial Court System. The court has been the driving force behind many local events and organizations, including the Queen Eddie Youth Scholarship Fund and the Toni Atkins Lesbian Health Fund, both of which are administered by The Center. For more than 30 years, the San Diego court has raised funds that have enabled our organizations to thrive.

As a community, we are also fortunate to have representation in our local and state government by openly LGBT elected and appointed officials. These brave public servants carry the causes of equality forward for all of us every day.

San Diego is a community noted for its history of working tirelessly toward powerful and effective collaborations. We have such amazing organizations – like Mama’s Kitchen, the San Diego Human Dignity Foundation, PFLAG, Diversionary Theatre, the San Diego Democratic Club and the Log Cabin Republicans – that work together for our collective greater good. I am grateful for the work of each of their staff, volunteers and boards.

The truth is there are just far too many people and organizations that make a difference for our community for me to name here. But we all know them, and I deeply appreciate all the hard work, passion and talent that make up each of them. And, of course, I am grateful for our San Diego LGBT Community Center and its tradition of serving and connecting our community.

During the past 33 years, our Center has compiled a phenomenal and impressive listing of visionary accomplishments. Through the years, The Center has been there for so many of us.

So, during this time, I also want to express my thanks to all the staff members, all the members of the Board of Directors and all the volunteers who have served this organization in the past three decades. No matter when they served, they all have made a difference. And each of them has laid a foundation upon which the next can stand.

For all of that and so much more, I am thankful.