The LGBT Community Center party at Davies Hospital to promote their Soiree 9 benefit coming next month. Paula Lykins and Warren Browner of Davies, James Williamson and his lover Geoff Kors, and LGBT Center ED Rebecca Rolfe. Photo by Rink.

The public was invited to a reception kicking off the ninth anniversary party of The LGBT Community Center, “Soiree 9: La Dolce Vita.” Held on Feb. 17 at the Archibald/Ehrenberg Rehabilitation Terrain Park, California Pacific Medical Center Davies Campus, the Center offered information about the upcoming annual gala to be held on March 26 at the SF Design Center Galleria and gave the chance to meet their agency leadership, key community organizers, and sponsors. 

Warren Browner, M.D., the CEO of the Medical Center, said he was proud of the work at his facility, as well as the work that The Community Center does. He acknowledged Ken Archibald, who was chair of the Medical Center’s department of rehabilitation, and Robert Ehrenberg, both of whom provided funds to help create the impressive rehab park. He introduced Mary Lanier, chief administrative officer of the Campus and vice president for acute services, commenting, “Some say she is the heart and soul of the Davies Campus, but I think she actually is more like the lungs and liver of the Campus.” Lanier has been with the Campus since 1998. The hospital has been operating for over 100 years, and has been very instrumental in serving the LGBT community. Many of the doctors who saw people through the AIDS pandemic during the ‘80s and ‘90s still retain offices at the hospital on 45 Castro Street. Coming Home Hospice, the first of its kind when it was built back in the ‘80s, continues to serve people there who are most vulnerable in the last stages of life, especially people with full blown AIDS. 

“We are delighted to kick off The LGBT Community Center’s main fundraiser,” she said. “I know it is going to be a tremendous success.” She added, “I have done many talks and workshops and fundraising for the LGBT community over the years.” She emphasized, “We intend to stay on this campus, serving the people in this Castro neighborhood with emergency services and primary care, for as long as we can see into the future. And if you’ve heard anything contrary to that, it is not true.”  

Lanier introduced Rebecca Rolfe, executive director of The LGBT Community Center. “It’s wonderful to be partnering with CPMC, our lead sponsor of the gala. Our event is going to be even bigger and even better,” she said. She thanked her “most incredible” board of directors. 

District 8 Supervisor Scott Wiener is this year’s gala co-chair. “The Community Center is such an important part of my life,” he said. “I came here to San Francisco as a 27 year old gay guy, and I immediately got involved – started raising seed money for The Center, joined The Center’s board, and then went through the whole rollercoaster of getting it built and opened, and hiring great people.” He said, “I am just so thrilled that we’re at this point, almost a decade into this wonderful adventure and critical institution in our community.” He added, “I am thrilled to be involved in the gala this year, and I’m thrilled to be able to be at Davies tonight, which is my neighborhood hospital and another institution I care passionately about.”     

City Treasurer Jose Cisneros was co-chair of the gala two years ago. “I think all of the elected past and present have done so much to support The Community Center, including State Senator Mark Leno and State Assemblyman Tom Ammiano. Everyone has been truly dedicated to make The Center a big success,” said Cisneros. “Being the money person for the city and county of San Francisco, I want to say how important it is for everyone to pitch in and do what they can to support The Center by helping make Soiree 9 as big a success as absolutely possible.” He added, “We have to make sure that every single person in this city gets an invitation, gets an opportunity, and gets a little pressure to come and support The Center and have a great time – to help this important institution remain alive, healthy, and able to grow.”   

Last year, District Supervisor David Campos was a co-chair of the event. “It’s great to see CPMC hosting this event to help The Center,” he said. “I want to acknowledge the electeds of this community who have helped so much in supporting The Center.” He said Wiener in a very short period of time has “rolled up his sleeves and really hit the ground running for District 8 and the LGBT community.” He said, “We need to give a lot of credit to Rebecca and the staff at The Center for all they have been able to accomplish.” He said, “The Center plays such a critical role in the life of our community and our city, and we should be proud – notwithstanding the challenges – that we are where we are today.” He urged, “Each one of us must get involved and do whatever we can.” He concluded, “If the LGBT Center does not thrive here in San Francisco, then no LGBT Center anywhere will be able to thrive, because this is the place where we can get it done right.” 

Supervisor Bevan Dufty credited Campos’ support, without which the board could not have gotten legislation passed for a loan guarantee, which will save The Center $200,000 over four years. He said CPMC has an important agenda for San Francisco. “We need a vibrant Davies, and Scott will be in the leadership in that regard,” Dufty said. “We need a true hospital at St. Luke’s, and Supervisor Campos and others on the board will be in the leadership for the future of health care.” He said, “CPMC is a constructive and creative partnership.” He said, “The Center has created a mission of opportunity, and not the stereotype of the perception that all gays are wealthy and white, because those stereotypes are wrong, and The Center has flipped that script.” He concluded, “I want to tip my hat to Rebecca for an amazing job, and I pledge to you that the best is yet to come. The Center is only going to get better!”