This has probably been one of the best examples of a changing of the guard
for such a large LGBT institution. We wondered how Dessert is settling in and how she feels about the legacy she’s inherited. “Delores and the Board of Direc- tors were so thoughtful, purposeful and strategic in the way they planned for this transition. It was handled with such care and concern for the future of the organization,” she opined. “Becoming the CEO is a dream come true for me and I’ve been fortunate to have the opportunity to meet and talk with founders and early supporters, staff and volunteers. They created and shaped a vision that still guides us today by establishing a dual mission to serve our community, and to fight for it. The Center is part of our community’s collective inheritance and I take seriously the opportunity I have to carry forward that legacy of service and advocacy.” Dessert chatted about what attracted her to work in leadership, law and
LGBT human rights. “When I graduated high school, I attended a summer bridge program at UCSD for incoming students from underrepresented backgrounds. During that program, I took an Ethnic Studies class and was taught a model of social justice that really resonated with me. I learned more about institutional and systemic inequality and inequity and how to fight it. It really was an awakening for me and I started organizing at the intersections of my own identity as a queer Latina woman. I worked as a peer counselor for young women coming out. I knew then, as a student organizer, that I wanted to do justice work for the rest of my life.” “I had an opportunity to work for The Center,” she continued, “and became deeply involved in the Prop 8 campaign as a regional field director. I was so inspired and moved by San Diego’s response to Prop 8 and even though that loss was devastating, the way San Diego came together left me with more hope than I had ever had for the future. For me, that was the beginning of a lifelong love affair with the San Diego LGBT community.” “After Prop 8, I knew I wanted to go to law school and develop another tool to
fight for justice. After I finished law school, I worked for Immigration Equality, providing legal services for LGBT immigrants,” Dessert explained further. “It’s great and important work, but one of the things that became increasingly painful for me was that even when we were able to assist someone with their legal status, they were often still homeless, hungry, and in need of access to healthcare and job skills. It really drove home for me that I always want to work in a way that incorporates both direct service and advocacy.” The new CEO talked about what she sees as the top focus areas for San
Diego’s LGBT community. “It would have been unimaginable 45 years ago that The Center would become a place for those from nine months to 90-years-old. While we have specific family programming in place for LGBT-headed families, the truth is, family is woven throughout our programs,” Dessert offered. “It’s so important for LGBT people to have the support of their families, and our programs help facilitate that by providing education, support and advocacy opportunities.” “I think The Center will continue to be the local leader in LGBT and HIV
services and advocacy,” Dessert shared. “As we continue to work in collabora- tion with other social justice organizations in San Diego and beyond, we’ll be able to broaden and deepen our impact. We’ll continue to bring those on the margins into our Center – immigrants, trans community members, those at highest risk for HIV.” There are so many milestones that have occurred in regard to the organiza- tion. We wondered if there was a story Dessert particularly remembers, or a
special moment she’d like to share. “It’s hard to choose just one thing, there are truly so many special moments here. Watching dedicated volunteers show up early in the morning to help with AIDS Walk, the food bank or to work at the front desk. Our advocacy work is important and influential and witnessing people speak out and stand up for justice is always poignant,” she articulated. “We’ve helped open an LGBT-affirming affordable housing project for our seniors and I’ll never forget the joyful faces of those who have been able to move in. We also have great programs for LGBT youth; our H.Y.C. Prom is such a hopeful event for LGBTQ teens and often brings tears to our eyes.” “We’ve truly grown into one of the strongest and most comprehensive
LGBT community centers in the nation, by continuing to strive to serve the full diversity of our community. We will do all we can to ensure we can meet the increased demand for our programs and services,” said Dessert. “In the last few months we completed a fundraising campaign that ultimately brought in over $2 million dollars. There were incredible and unprecedented moments in that effort: like having some of our volunteers come to their shifts with checks to make their largest donations ever to The Center. The generosity of so many who donated to that effort—some for the first time—was truly inspiring.” The Center has created a wonderful vibe around being the heart of San
Diego’s LGBT community. It’s there in the tough times and for the victories, special moments and
holidays...steadfast everyday service. We wondered how Dessert plans to sustain and continue that agency culture. “That has been the role The Center has played since our founding. We have served as our community’s town hall, our home base,” she offered. “We are the place that our community comes both to celebrate our victories and mourn our losses.” “I think San Diego is a special place and our community is truly inspirational,”
Dessert continued. “I’m excited to build on the incredible work we’ve done and continue to strive for a San Diego where all LGBT people and our families are connected, healthy and thriving. I also want to continue the work of opening The Center’s doors wider and wider so that everyone in our community is welcome and knows this is their home.”
For more information about The San Diego LGBT Community Center and its many programs, services and events, call 619.692.2077 or go to
thecentersd.org.
AUGUST 2018
AUGUST 2018 | | RAGE monthly
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