community
THE INDIGO BALL CELEBRATING THE LGBT CENTER O.C.
The LGBT Center Orange County established as a volunteer organization in
1971 and incorporated in 1975 as a non-profit community-based organization, making them one of the oldest gay and lesbian community centers in the United States. At the LGBT Center Orange County, all members and allies of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community of Orange County join together in a network of support and unity. Their life-affirming programs focus on empowerment, and their advocacy efforts focus on speaking out against hate and discrimination. They exist so that every segment of the LGBT population of Orange County has the resources needed to thrive in their own lives and communities. Peg Corley is the Executive Director of the LGBT Center Orange County. She
served on the Center’s Board of Directors from 1998 to 2010 and was Chair- person of the Board from 2006 to 2009. During her time as Chairperson, Corley facilitated a financial turnaround, stabilizing the agency and leading to the purchase of the LGBT Center O.C.’s permanent home in Santa Ana. The LGBT Center O.C. is where it is today in large part because of her vision, commitment and financial expertise, stemming from her 18-year career in the financial services industry and her work on the oversight committees and boards of The Long Beach Unified School District. She is currently President of the Board of Trustees of Westerly School of Long Beach, an independent, co-educational K-8 school founded in 1993.
The Rage Monthly caught up with Corley to get details about their annual Indigo Ball fundraiser for LGBT Center O.C. Corley has long been a guiding light for the Center. When asked what she felt
her most rewarding accomplishment has been so far, she offered this: “I’m very fortunate in that my most rewarding accomplishment at the Center repeats itself each time I sit down with a parent of an LGBTQ youth and am able to connect with them in a very real way and assure them they are not alone, that we see their child for who they are and we are helping them to see who they can become. We are giving their child the tools they need to rise above the social static and find their own version of success.” We asked Corley to explain in greater detail what her ideology as The
Center’s executive director is for its future. “My vision for the future of the Center is focused on both the future and legacy of the LGBTQ community in Orange County—our youth and our seniors—two of our most vulnerable sub- populations that are in need of empowerment and support. The LGBT Center O.C. is working diligently to make Orange County a welcoming environment
8 RAGE monthly | APRIL 2018 by tony reverditto
for everyone and we will work even harder for our most vulnerable.” The Indigo Ball is a major fundraiser for the LGBT Center O.C. and accord-
ing to Corley, it’s going to be bigger and better than ever. She shared some details about why they do the gala and what guests can expect at the event. “The Indigo Ball is a celebration of the LGBT Center O.C.’s work throughout the year and a form of recognition of key leaders and advocates for health and equity for the LGBTQ community,” she said. “Approximately 400 people will join in this celebration of community taking place at the Hotel Irvine. The event includes a reception, dinner and entertainment, silent and live auctions and an awards presentation, with a chance to network with other community leaders and supporters. It’s an opportunity to invest in helping individuals who are often in vulnerable circumstances to improve their overall wellness and transform into leaders in their own lives and in their communities.” Corley excitedly talked about the evening’s emcee and auctioneer and offered
even more details about the entertainment for the evening. “Our emcee for the evening will be Morgan McMichaels from RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars and our auctioneer will be Saul Escudero…Both bring fantastic energy! Following the mingling, music and cocktails of our reception, the main event and dinner will kick off with an African drum performance by a local LGBT led company, Drum Cafe. Morgan McMichaels, will guide us through the evening’s powerful presentations, culminating in the awards ceremony for our honorees: Greg Louganis and the Duron family. Our program ends with a dance party to end all dance parties!” The Rage Monthly wanted to know more specifically what programs and services the funds raised would go to, Corley was more than happy to inform. “84 cents of every dollar we raise, goes directly to fund our core programs: Supporting more than 2,300 youth in 36 schools throughout Orange County to achieve the goals of their GSAs (gay straight alliances), providing education and training to more than 1,200 health care providers in LGBTQ-affirming practices, offering 3,900 individual, couple, and family counseling sessions on a sliding scale, as well as providing immigration resources, HIV testing, Trans services and advocating for the well-being of the LGBTQ community in Orange County.
The Indigo Balltakes place onSaturday, April 28 at the Hotel Irvine, 17900 Jamboree Road in Irvine, with the cocktail reception beginning at 6 p.m. For tickets and more information, call 714.953.5428 or go
tolgbtcenteroc.org/indigo-ball-2018.
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