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You are at:Home»Community»Adam Schiff Joins Center Leaders Past and Present at 50th Anniversary Dinner

Adam Schiff Joins Center Leaders Past and Present at 50th Anniversary Dinner

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By on September 30, 2019 Community

By Greg Hernandez

Comedian Kathy Griffin didn’t seem to mind that she had to introduce U.S. Congressman Adam Schiff twice at the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s 50th anniversary dinner on September 21.

The first time, the busy lawmaker had not yet entered the event (dubbed the Gold Anniversary Vanguard Celebration) held underneath a giant tent at the Roosevelt Golf Course located across the street from the iconic Greek Theatre.

Schiff, who, as chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, has emerged as a driving force of Democratic lawmakers’ impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump, may have been a few minutes late, but he was a warmly received as the gala’s guest of honor.

“I can’t tell you how proud I am to represent the Los Angeles LGBT Center in Washington D.C.,” Schiff said to the more than 1,000 guests who also attended the post-dinner Hearts of Gold concert and multimedia show at the Greek.

“The Center—now for a half a century—has provided life-saving services for my constituents, for so many in need and who are struggling,” Schiff said. “There is no more powerful need than now for a Center with love at its core and love in its heart… What an incredible half-century, what an incredible story!”

Rather than stick to his originally prepared remarks, Schiff chose to read directly from an article recently published in the Los Angeles Blade by longtime LGBT reporter Karen Ocamb:

It’s spectacular, ironic really, just as the fabric of American democracy is being shredded, an organization started by a group of gay people being of service to the most marginalized in 1969 has become the nation’s oldest LGBTQ institution still serving those in need.

The congressman also introduced Center CEO Lorri L. Jean of whom he said: “I can’t imagine anyone that I would rather have on my side in the fight for healthcare, for equality, for humanity, and for basic decency than the woman who has led this organization to this very moment in history. [House Speaker] Nancy Pelosi likes to say that the times have found us. Well, they have certainly found Lorri Jean—and thank God they have.”

Center CEO Lorri L. JeanJean (pictured, left), who oversees the Center’s nearly 800 employees and 10 facilities, reminded the crowd of a world that was dramatically different 50 years ago.

“In 1969 we were virtual pariahs—reviled as mentally ill deviants,” she said. “There were no laws to protect us from discrimination. We could be—and frequently were—arrested simply for having a drink in a bar with others of our kind. Jailed for wearing clothes that the cops didn’t think were appropriate for our gender. Queer people who came out or were outed lost their jobs. We lost our children. We were disowned by our families. Those who dared speak the truth did so at their peril.”

Jean spoke of the “audacity and bravery” it took in that climate for the Center’s founders—Don Kilhefner, Morris Kight, Jim Kepner, June Herrle, Martin Field, Jon Platania, and Lee Hansen Sisson—to organize, help one another, and claim their rightful place in history. At least one of the Center’s founders—the late Kight—first began providing services to LGBT people in need as early as 1969.

“These were the people who came together to legally create our Center,” Jean said. “It took real courage and fortitude to incorporate an openly LGBT organization in 1971. Their names were on the legal documents for all to see.”

As the longest-serving CEO in the Center’s history, Jean paid tribute to the seven other people who served at the helm of the Center during its 50 years: Torie Osborne, John Brown, Dickson Hingson, and Kilhefner—all of whom attended the event; Gwenn Baldwin and Steve Schulte, who could not attend; and Eric Rofes, who died in 2006.

“I wasn’t around when Don was leading the Center, but I’ve heard many stories,” Jean told the crowd. “He was both courageous and relentless. By all accounts, he was the most important driving force in the Center’s early years. Don was dedicated, determined, and a visionary.”

She added: “We wouldn’t be where we are today without our former executive directors who helped to build the foundation on which today’s Center stands.”

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The Center’s Nick Panepinto shares how Liberatio The Center’s Nick Panepinto shares how Liberation Coffee House creates a safe space where everyone can feel comfortable coming in for whatever they need. 
Read more at https://bit.ly/3Nj4SMb Link in bio!
#LGBT #LGBTQ
The Los Angeles LGBT Center strongly condemns the The Los Angeles LGBT Center strongly condemns the decision by the Supreme Court to overturn Roe vs. Wade. There is no right to privacy or bodily autonomy for
the queer community when reproductive rights can be ruled away.
ABORTION MUST BE PROTECTED.
#AbortionIsAnLGBTQIssue #AbortionIsQueerLiberation #AbortionIsBasicHealthcare
See the full press release: https://bit.ly/3A6CaeD See the full press release: https://bit.ly/3A6CaeD (link in bio)
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Chef @susanfeniger is partnering up with @masterca Chef @susanfeniger is partnering up with @mastercard this #Pride month to raise money for the Center! 

Join us for this exclusive family-style multicourse feast for the last day of Pride Month on June 30. You'll start with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres at Liberation Coffee House before touring the Culinary Arts training kitchen to see students and teachers at work. Dinner will be served on the Center's rooftop with views of the Hollywood sign and live music, while Susan tells stories and talks through each course. 

Close out Pride month in style, link in bio.

#priceless #chefsusanfeniger
There is still time to have a #priceless Pride exp There is still time to have a #priceless Pride experience! We've partnered with @mastercard to make a truly unforgettable pride dinner party! Enjoy an amazing family-style meal curated and prepared by chef @susanfeniger! Sip cocktails at our very own Liberation Coffee House and join a tour of our culinary kitchen. Celebrate Pride with Susan and Center Leadership while enjoying a stunning view from the Center's rooftop. Exclusively for Mastercard® cardholders. Terms Apply. Quantities limited. For more info visit link in bio!
The Los Angeles LGBT Center is the nation’s larg The Los Angeles LGBT Center is the nation’s largest community-based provider of LGBT-related legal services, supported by a team of staff and volunteer attorneys, law students, paralegals, and interns.

We serve the legal needs of all LGBT people with a special focus on survivors of violence, undocumented immigrants, and transgender people. We also provide workshops, trainings, and technical assistance for institutions and service providers.

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Join us at the @bespun "Showcase Your Pride" Queer Join us at the @bespun "Showcase Your Pride" Queer Pole Jam on Saturday, June 25 from 6-8pm. Enjoy special performances, try some pole moves, participate in the raffle, and come have fun! All proceeds benefit the Center. Register to attend: bit.ly/3tSC1HH

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There is only one way to do pride right! That's ou There is only one way to do pride right! That's outside with your community at Hollywood Forever! Pride Picnic is only 2 weeks away! Spots at our tastefully outfitted @joybird VIP outdoor lounge are going fast! Make sure to nab your Pride Picnic tickets today! For more info head to lalgbtcenter.org/picnic (link in bio)
Unfortunately, our TGI/ENBY+ job fair that was sch Unfortunately, our TGI/ENBY+ job fair that was scheduled for this Thursday has been cancelled.

The next TEEP TGI/ENBY+ Job Fair will be on Wednesday, September 14, from 9:30-2PM, in partnership with the Transgender Advisory Council and the City of Los Angeles. Registration and location info will be available soon!  @transpride.la
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