Gay and Lesbian Community Services Center of Orange County

The Gay and Lesbian Community Services Center of Orange County (The Center OC) is one of the oldest gay and lesbian community centers in the United States, established as a volunteer organization in 1971 and incorporated in 1975 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit community-based organization. The Center's programming serves the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community, including the Spanish-speaking LGBT community, those who are questioning, LGBT youth, and LGBT families.Through its AIDS Response Program, The Center was the first community-based agency to address the AIDS crisis in Orange County. The program responded to the crisis with a variety of initiatives, including Stop AIDS Orange County, a volunteer-based HIV/AIDS prevention program that began in 1987. In 1993 the LifeGuard program was created to provide education about safer sex for gay and bisexual men. The Center also designed HIV/AIDS prevention services specifically to serve the Latino and Asian American community. In addition to HIV/AIDS support and education services, The Center has advanced other public health initiatives, including an anti-smoking campaign.In addition to its public health programs, The Center has organized or sponsored a range of social events and other activities to serve the LGBT community. The Orange Coast Guild was a social group that organized cultural events in the early 1990s. In the early 2000s, The Center co-sponsored Orange County Dyke March events, public demonstrations designed to empower lesbian, bisexual and transgender women. In 2003-2004, The Center was represented by the American Civil Liberties Union in a lawsuit charging officials in Costa Mesa, California, with imposing unduly burdensome permit requirements on the Dyke March organizers.The Center relocated and expanded its facilities to a new Garden Grove location in 1988. In June, 2009, it relocated again to Santa Ana, California.

From the description of Gay and Lesbian Community Services Center of Orange County records, 1977 - 2005. (University of California, Irvine). WorldCat record id: 733579263

The Gay and Lesbian Community Services Center of Orange County (The Center Orange County) was established as a volunteer organization in a private home in Costa Mesa, California, in 1971. It was incorporated in 1975, as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit community-based agency and in 1994, became a member of the National Association of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Centers. The Center O.C. serves thousands of clients annually with a mission of advocating on behalf of the Orange County lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community and providing services that ensure its well-being and positive identity. In June, 2009, the Center relocated its offices to Santa Ana, California.

From the description of Gay and Lesbian Community Services Center of Orange County records. 1984 - 2005 (University of California, Irvine). WorldCat record id: 642700986

Historical Background

The Gay and Lesbian Community Services Center of Orange County (The Center OC) is one of the oldest gay and lesbian community centers in the United States, established as a volunteer organization in 1971 and incorporated in 1975 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit community-based organization. The Center's programming serves the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community, including the Spanish-speaking LGBT community, those who are questioning, LGBT youth, and LGBT families.

Through its AIDS Response Program, The Center was the first community-based agency to address the AIDS crisis in Orange County. The program responded to the crisis with a variety of initiatives, including Stop AIDS Orange County, a volunteer-based HIV/AIDS prevention program that began in 1987. In 1993 the LifeGuard program was created to provide education about safer sex for gay and bisexual men. The Center also designed HIV/AIDS prevention services specifically to serve the Latino and Asian American community. In addition to HIV/AIDS support and education services, The Center has advanced other public health initiatives, including an anti-smoking campaign.

In addition to its public health programs, The Center has organized or sponsored a range of social events and other activities to serve the LGBT community. The Orange Coast Guild was a social group that organized cultural events in the early 1990s. In the early 2000s, The Center co-sponsored Orange County Dyke March events, public demonstrations designed to empower lesbian, bisexual and transgender women. In 2003-2004, The Center was represented by the American Civil Liberties Union in a lawsuit charging officials in Costa Mesa, California, with imposing unduly burdensome permit requirements on the Dyke March organizers.

The Center relocated and expanded its facilities to a new Garden Grove location in 1988. In June, 2009, it relocated again to Santa Ana, California.

From the guide to the Gay and Lesbian Community Services Center of Orange County records, 1977-2005, (Special Collections and Archives, University of California, Irvine Libraries)