A-LISTS community spotlight by bill biss Chairman of the Board of Directors at The Center Long Beach, Ron Sylves-
ter joined the board of directors at the beginning of last year. He has served as vice-chair and was elected to hold his current position this year. The Rage Monthly spoke with him about the exciting new programs offered, what they have in store over the next several months and an important collection of LGBT memorabilia that The Center Long Beach has on display throughout the month of May. As The Center Long Beach celebrates their 30-year anniversary, this year
brings a very important new service that is provided free of charge by The Center Long Beach. That is their HIV Rapid Testing Program. “Probably mid-last year, we were awarded a contract from L.A. County. It is a contract that allows us to be compensated for Rapid HIV testing. The program is now in full-swing at The Center and we are testing almost a hundred people a month.” The turnaround in finding out a person’s results is usually just 20 minutes. There is also free counseling and follow-up referral based on the results of
the test. Thinking back on the history of The Center Long Beach, they opened their doors to our community in 1980. The past 30 years of photos, artifacts, programs and services along with back issues of The Center Post are on prominent display now through the end of this month on The Center’s second floor in a special memorabilia room. Ron explains, “We did an event on March 25 which was kind of a reunion event for old board members, staff, volunteers and significant donors…people who have been involved over the years. In preparation for that, we decided to show off our 30 years of memorabilia that we have found. Originally it was only to be shown during the party but due to the overwhelming positive response, we thought more people need to see this.” The Center Long Beach at that time was honored with numerous proclamations to commemorate the occasion. Sylvester found himself quite taken aback by discovering some
of the past memorabilia on display. “1984. The creation of Project Ahead which was the first case program for HIV/AIDS patients in southern L.A. County. It was also the creation of the first anonymous HIV-testing site in the country in conjunction with the Long Beach Health Department! The thing that strikes me as I go through 30 years is that this was a Center that was built by the community, for the community and it has succeeded and lasted this long… because of the community. You look through the pictures and you read through the articles and it looks like a who’s who of gay Long Beach. Everybody in the community at one time or another took their turn at donating their time, their manage- ment skills and expertise in making The Center what it is today.” The Center Long Beach has several events that should be
noted happening over the next several months. “Well…we are the beneficiaries to The Pink Party which is the Friday night [May 14] before Pride and a part of the proceeds from that party benefit The Center’s Youth Mentoring Program. We are also hosting an HIV-Positive Speed Dating event at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 23 at The Center Long Beach. Also July 31 is The Center’s 30th Birthday Beach Bash. We haven’t finalized the exact location but it’s going to be on the beach at Belmont Shore. Also keep an eye out this fall for our gay and lesbian film festival called QFilm Festival.” There are several events in store for The Center Long Beach and with the help of people like Ron Sylvester and the countless others who donate their time, the LGBT community will continue to reap the benefits of this establishment for years to come.
16
RAGE monthly | MAY 2010
Long Beach Council Member Suja Lowenthal presents Center Chairman Ron Sylvester with the Certificate of Congratulation from the City of Long Beach in recognition of The Center’s 30th Anniversary.
LONG BEACH GAY AND LESBIAN CENTER
2017 E. Fourth Street 562.434.4455 or
centerlb.org
A MILESTONE ANNIVERSARY
Celebrating 30 Years of Service to the LGBT Community
THE CENTER LONG BEACH:
“The thing that strikes me as I go through 30 years [of memorabilia] is that this was a Center that was built
by the community, for the community and it has succeed- ed and lasted this long…because of the community.”
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