Billy DeFrank LGBT Community Center.
Name Entries
corporateBody
Billy DeFrank LGBT Community Center.
Name Components
Name :
Billy DeFrank LGBT Community Center.
Genders
Exist Dates
Biographical History
The Billy DeFrank Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Silicon Valley Center (also known as the Billy DeFrank Gay and Lesbian Community Center) opened its doors on March 1, 1981 in downtown San Jose, California. The center was posthumously named after Billy DeFrank, the stage name of William Price (1936-1980). From San José, William Price was a well known African-American drag entertainer as well as a prominent gay rights activist who dedicated his talents to the development of gay communities throughout California. He was considered one of the "best-loved goodwill ambassadors" for the LGBT community. The grassroots efforts to establish this LGBT center were driven by forces from within the Lambda Association Board of Directors of San Jose, San Jose State University's Women's Center, and other local activists. The center became the fulcrum whereby the large and diverse community of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered in the South Bay could find refuge. The inception of the center's success was marked by an increase in activist support from local political figures such as Mayor Janet Gray Hayes in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The center continues to offer a safe haven for a large and diverse community.
eng
Latn
External Related CPF
Other Entity IDs (Same As)
Sources
Loading ...
Resource Relations
Loading ...
Internal CPF Relations
Loading ...
Languages Used
Subjects
AIDS activists
Bisexuals
Civil rights
Gay liberation movement
Gay rights
Gays
Gays
Lesbians
Nonprofit organizations
Political participation
Transgender people
Nationalities
Activities
Occupations
Legal Statuses
Places
United States
AssociatedPlace
California
AssociatedPlace
California--Santa Clara County
AssociatedPlace