• Equality
  • Community
    • Health
    • Youth
    • Seniors
  • Voices
    • From the CEO
    • Take Five
    • Why I Give
  • About the Center
  • Galleries
  • Calendar
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Trending
  • Slice, Slice Baby!
  • LGBTQ+ Youth, Seniors, and ‘Drag Race’ Queens Celebrate Chosen Family at Inaugural Intergenerational Thanksgiving Dinner
  • Dispensing Culturally Competent Care: The Center’s Patient-Centric Pharmacy Does Much More Than Fill Prescriptions
  • Get to Know the Center’s New Leadership Team
  • The Center Looks Back on 25 Years of Senior Services
  • Center CEO Joe Hollendoner: “Our Work Is Never Done”
  • Trixie Mattel Inspires LGBTQ+ Youth to Be Their Best Selves at Models of Pride: “You Are All the Main Character”
  • From Poetry to Tap Dance, Seniors Flaunt Their Talents at Fall Showcase 
Twitter Facebook Instagram YouTube
LGBT News Now
Learn about career opportunities at the Center
  • Equality
  • Community
    • Health
    • Youth
    • Seniors
  • Voices
    • From the CEO
    • Take Five
    • Why I Give
  • About the Center
  • Galleries
  • Calendar
LGBT News Now
You are at:Home»Voices»Why I Give»Ariadne Getty: A Visionary With a Heart of Gold

Ariadne Getty: A Visionary With a Heart of Gold

0
By on October 28, 2021 Why I Give

By Gil Diaz

After giving her rousing speech at a 2013 fundraiser attended by some of Hollywood’s LGBTQ trailblazers— Ryan Murphy, Jane Lynch, Dustin Lance Black, among them— Center CEO Lorri L. Jean was introduced to a woman from the packed audience who eventually would play a major role in the Center’s future: Ariadne Getty.

“Lorri was so impressive when she spoke that I knew I had to meet her,” recalled Getty. “We were introduced, we immediately connected, and our friendship has just blossomed from that day forward. Every conversation is a learning experience with Lorri.”

From that evening on, many social gatherings occurred between ally, activist, and philanthropist Ari, and Lorri, leader of the world’s largest LGBT organization, whether it was a cookout at Lorri’s house or a tête-à-tête lunch appointment. These meetings resulted in Ariadne gaining an insider’s look into the needs of the LGBT community’s various age groups—with eye-opening revelations.

“I learned that so many LGBTQ youth experience homelessness after coming out to their family and were left without the education, nutrition—and most importantly—the love they needed to succeed,” said Getty. “As a mother and an ally, I understood the immediate need and worked closely with the Center, as a direct services organization, and provided the resources needed to open The Ariadne Getty Foundation Youth Academy so more LGBTQ youth could receive the care and support they need to lead meaningful, healthy lives.”

The Youth Academy opened its doors in 2019 inside the Youth Center as part of the Center’s flagship Anita May Rosenstein Campus. The academy provides vital programs and services for youth to achieve their full potential: one-on-one mentoring by specially-trained adults; financial assistance to support their goals of completing their GED and attending college or trade school; a computer lab; and more.

“Ariadne Getty is the real deal,” said Jean. “She gives because she sees that there are important needs that must be met, and she wants to help. She gives because her heart is filled with compassion and empathy. She gives because she feels she has a responsibility to make a difference. But, Ari is more than an amazing philanthropist. She is a genuine and loving woman whom I am proud to call my friend.”

Now, with the completion of the 70,000- square-foot Ariadne Getty Foundation Senior Housing located a stone’s throw from the Youth Academy, Ari has elevated her stature as one of the truest allies of the LGBTQ community as well as the intergenerational movement. Sprawled across nearly three-quarters of an acre, the towering five-story Senior Housing boasts 98 units of affordable apartments for seniors ages 62 and above. It also includes a community room, fitness room, laundry facilities, and a lush outdoor courtyard.

“LGBTQ equality would not be where it is today without LGBTQ seniors. Yet, there’s no doubt we have a ways to go—and our LGBTQ youth are a part of the movement to help us get there,” explained Getty.

“Intergenerational programs and services help teach the LGBTQ community where we came from, where we are, and where we need to go in our journey to LGBTQ equality. By creating a campus that houses both LGBTQ youth and seniors, not only are we creating a space that fosters community from young to old, but we are fueling the LGBTQ equality movement. I believe that the intergenerational remarkable is the woman who has had campus at the Center should become a standard practice at centers across the globe.”

Always the self-effacing benefactor, Ari was always an ally and credits her two adult children, August and Nats, for instilling an even greater fervor to further support the LGBTQ community.

“I fully immersed myself by reading all that I could to better understand and support them. I also quickly learned of the critical need to support the LGBTQ community on every level,” said Getty. “Unfortunately, addressing the level of discrimination, mental and physical medical issues, homelessness, addiction, employment discrimination, and acceptance among a myriad of other issues was not as far along as I imagined.”

To address the disparities and inequities experienced by LGBTQ folks, the focus, funding, and activism of The Ariadne Getty Foundation (AGF)— which Getty herself fondly describes as “a living/breathing entity which evolves just like I do, and just as the world does”—has been in steadfast support of the LGBTQ community since the estab- lishment of the AGF. “I am proud of our work over the last decade in advancing LGBTQ equality. The AGF is committed to continuing our work to ensure every LGBTQ person has the opportunity to lead a meaningful and successful life free of barriers because of who they love or how they express their gender,” said Getty. “I hope there is a day when our work is no longer necessary. Until then, you can find me in the arena.”

For generations to come, The Ariadne Getty Foundation’s sparkling solid aluminum signs perched atop the Youth Academy and the Senior Housing undoubtedly will foster and immense sense of pride and empowerment to all who enter their main doors. Just as remarkable is the woman who has had the Center’s back for eight years—and counting.

“Ari,” said Jean, “is a visionary with a heart of gold.”

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)

Related Posts

Why I Give: Alyson Stoner

Center Volunteer and Donor Frank Galassi is Taking Care of His Generation

Why I Give: Mac Kahey

Comments are closed.

Upcoming Events

Feb 4
5:00 pm - 10:00 pm

The Future is Black 2023: Renaissance

Feb 9
February 9 - March 4

Cock

Feb 10
February 10 - February 11

The MisMatch Game: Crazy Little Thing Called Love Edition

Mar 16
March 16 - April 16

Menstruation: A Period Piece

Apr 29
April 29 - June 24

A New Brain

View Calendar
About Us

LGBT News Now

LGBT News Now is a publication of the Los Angeles LGBT Center. Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2019, the Center is the largest LGBT organization in the world, dedicated to building a world where LGBT thrive as healthy, equal, and complete members of society. Learn more at lalgbtcenter.org.

Follow Us on Instagram

lalgbtcenter

The Los Angeles LGBT Center is building a world where LGBT people thrive as healthy, equal, and complete members of society.

Los Angeles LGBT Center
Last call for RSVPs: We have just a handful of ope Last call for RSVPs: We have just a handful of open seats left before we officially reach capacity! See the link in bio to register— and we cannot wait to see each of you this Saturday, Feb. 4! The question is now: what will you wear? #BHM #LAFabulous
This is not a drill: There are active legislative This is not a drill: There are active legislative threats against our freedoms going up for vote across the country. We know most of these fights are not happening in California—but that’s precisely why our Center community can be of help. Join the Resistance Squad today by texting ‘RESIST’ to 33339 to help win this fight, and swipe through the slides to understand what’s happening. —>
Did you know that the Center hosts a Senior Prom f Did you know that the Center hosts a Senior Prom for our #LGBTQ+ #elders each year? A few years ago, we were visited by filmmakers who wanted to document the event in all its glory—and now their film is airing tonight on @PBS at 10PM PT. Please tune in to celebrate the amazing work of our Senior Services team and our real heroes, our incredible clients! And stay tuned later this year for more from our next installment of the Prom.
Our community at the Los Angeles LGBT Center exten Our community at the Los Angeles LGBT Center extends our deepest condolences to the loved ones of those we lost in the tragic mass shooting in #MontereyPark, and our well wishes to the survivors who are recovering. We remain committed to our hope for a peaceful and prosperous Los Angeles—without guns and hate.
We’re honored to join the @academymuseum as a Co We’re honored to join the @academymuseum as a Community Partner for the upcoming screening of Pat Rocco's Signs of Queer Life on January 26 at 7:30pm.

The trailblazing LA-based filmmaker and gay rights advocate, #PatRocco, captured seminal moments of LGBTQ history, joy and upsets. Check out a preview of his film #WeWereThere. Use discount code LGBTQ+ to get $2 off tickets to the screening! Link in our bio. 
 
#AcademyMuseum #LGBTQstories
The Center is proud to announce our inaugural thea The Center is proud to announce our inaugural theatre season! This year, we are partnering with local theatre companies to present nearly 100 showings of four remarkable plays to lift the depth and diversity of LGBTQ+ narratives. The line-up includes world premieres, an award-winning comedy, and a radically reimagined musical. Performances begin Feb. 9—Get your tickets now at lalgbtcenter.org/theatre, or at the link in our bio! 🎭 🎟️
SHE DID NOT COME TO PLAY! The one and only @bigfre SHE DID NOT COME TO PLAY! The one and only @bigfreedia, Queen of Bounce, is coming to the Los Angeles LGBT Center for #TheFutureIsBlack — our #BlackHistoryMonth event — and tickets are FREE to the public at the #linkinbio. Hear from Freedia and a dynamic roster of other Black talent, then dance the night away in our Renaissance-themed afterparty. Mark your calendars for Saturday, February 4th and get on that list at the link in bio before it closes.
Today we commemorate one of our nation’s most pr Today we commemorate one of our nation’s most preeminent civil rights leaders— the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.— who left us a transformative legacy rooted in service and community. His noble actions blueprinted monuments of unity across the country, and especially, here at home in Los Angeles. On this #MLKDayofService, we are reminded of our ability to champion equity and justice for all.
 
#DrKing #MLKDay
We at the Los Angeles LGBT Center are deeply distu We at the Los Angeles LGBT Center are deeply disturbed by the videos depicting the tragic deaths of three Angelenos, and join the Mayor in calling for urgent police reform and accountability. Swipe through for our full statement.

#TakarSmith #KeenanAnderson #OscarSanchez
Load More... Follow on Instagram
Stay Connected
Subscribe
Copyright © 2022 Los Angeles LGBT Center
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy
  • Contact Us

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.