TITLE
Recommendation to increase appropriations in the General Fund Group in the City Manager Department by $3,500, offset by the Sixth Council District One-Time District Priority Funds transferred from the Citywide Activities Department to support The LGBTQ Center Long Beach; and
Decrease appropriations of the Sixth Council District One-time District Priority Funds in the General Fund Group in the Citywide Activities Department by $3,500 to offset a transfer to the City Manager Department.
DISCUSSION
The LGBTQ Center Long Beach (The Center) will host the Black and White Ball on June 25, 2022 at the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center. All proceeds from the Black & White Ball will support the many programs and services of The Center, the largest publicly supported LGBTQ direct services organization in greater Long Beach, which supports more than 25,000 clients per year.
The Center began in 1977 as living room gatherings to discuss issues important to the LGBTQ community. The Center was officially incorporated in 1980 as One in Long Beach, Inc. and has been providing a variety of health, social, advocacy, legal, and service programs to the LGBTQ community in the Greater Long Beach area for three decades. As a result of the AIDS epidemic, in 1984, The Center established Project Ahead, the first case management service in Southern Los Angeles County exclusively for those affected by HIV and AIDS. One in Long Beach was, in many instances, the only safe haven where people of all sexual orientations, genders, ethnic and cultural backgrounds and socioeconomic levels could receive HIV information, testing and counseling, healthcare referrals and other support services. In 1985, through the bequests of several individuals who died of HIV and AIDS, The Center was able to purchase a 7500 square-foot building located near 4th and Cherry, in Central Long Beach. The building was renovated and opened in 1986 as a new home of the agency. In 1987, the agency held AIDS Walk Long Beach which continues today as a separate foundation. In 1997, One in Long Beach became the Gay and Lesbian Center of Greater Long Beach. In 2014 One in Long Beach became The LGBTQ Center of Long Beach. Today, The Center serve over 25,000 people a year and include an array of services including support groups, workshops and seminars, youth services, free HIV & STI testing, legal assistance, domestic violence services, employment referrals, mental health counseling, cultural and social activities including the QFilm Festival, educational forums, and a thriving volunteer program with an active database of over 300 volunteers. The Center also provides meeting space for more than 20 community groups each month.
This matter has been reviewed by Budget Manager Grace H. Yoon on June 1, 2022.
FISCAL IMPACT
This recommendation requests the City Manager to provide a contribution to support The Center’s Gala. The total appropriation increase of $3,500 in the General Fund Group in the City Manager Department will be offset by a decrease of appropriation of the Sixth Council District One-time District Priority Funds in the General Fund Group in the Citywide Activities Department. The recommendation is anticipated to require a minimal level of staff hours beyond the budgeted scope of duties and is expected to have minimal impact on existing City Council priorities.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
SUELY SARO COUNCILWOMAN,
SIXTH DISTRICT