The San Francisco LGBT Community Center is a nonprofit organization serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender population of San Francisco, California and nearby communities, located at 1800 Market Street in San Francisco.
Incorporated in 1996, the Center opened its solar-powered, 35,000-square-foot (3,300 m2) facility in 2002. Its mission is "to connect our diverse community to opportunities, resources and each other to achieve our vision of a stronger, healthier, and more equitable world for LGBT people and our allies."
Open six days a week, community events includes social events, support groups, community forums, and other functions. The Center's CyberCenter computer lab provides free computer access. The building houses 6 nonprofit organizations.
All of the Center’s direct services are available free of charge. Many are designed for community members most in need, including low-income, queer youth, job seekers, children and families, city newcomers, women and the transgender community. Program areas include:
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. Assists LGBT jobseekers in finding safe and secure living-wage employment, help LGBT-run businesses grow, increase LGBT community financial assets, and eliminate barriers to transgender economic success.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS. Work to prevent HIV/AIDS infection, through social networking, information services and peer support targeting city newcomers. Provides a Information and Referral program where 60% of referrals include mental health services, sexual/and or domestic abuse, HIV/AIDS or general health / health access.
CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES. Provides childcare services to LGBT families four days a week. Over 500 youth annually receive leadership development, job training, queer youth prom, and free hot meals.
COMMUNITY AND POLICY INITIATIVES. Empowers community members and respond to important emerging community and policy issues such as marriage equality and employment protection.
ARTS AND CULTURE. Hosts art exhibits and collaborative programs to increase the visibility of LGBT artists and public access to cultural activities.
The agency's annual budget is approximately $2 million. The Center's Executive Director Rebecca Rolfe leads a staff of 2 dozen staff members and a volunteer pool of over 800 individuals.
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“There they are at last, Miss Rutledge. The will-o-the-wisps with plagues of fortune. San Francisco, the latest newborn of a great republic.”
—Ben Hecht (1893–1964)
“Mining today is an affair of mathematics, of finance, of the latest in engineering skill. Cautious men behind polished desks in San Francisco figure out in advance the amount of metal to a cubic yard, the number of yards washed a day, the cost of each operation. They have no need of grubstakes.”
—Merle Colby, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)
“Mr. Wiggam, I want you to change the policy of The Clarion. I want you to write a story I should have written myself long ago. I want you to tell the people of San Francisco that no city can exist without law and order. Write a story about that flag, write about what verifies and brings a promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. There are some people in this town who don’t seem to know that. Let The Clarion tell them.”
—Ben Hecht (1893–1964)
“This is the only “wet” community in a wide area, and is the rendezvous of cow hands seeking to break the monotony of chuck wagon food and range life. Friday night is the “big time” for local cowboys, and consequently the calaboose is called the “Friday night jail.””
—Administration in the State of Texa, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)
“I think that New York is not the cultural center of America, but the business and administrative center of American culture.”
—Saul Bellow (b. 1915)