Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn marked a significant milestone this morning with a public celebration of the first anniversary of the Greater Whittier LGBTQ+ Community Center. At a hearing with her fellow Board of Supervisors, Hahn lauded the collective efforts and partnerships responsible for bringing the center to fruition, emphasizing the transformation from a once "dilapidated building" to a beacon of hope and support for the LGBTQ+ community. She recognized the substantial contribution made by California State Assemblymember Lisa Calderon, who, according to official sources, secured a $4.2 million state budget fund to construct the center.
In the year since its inauguration in Fall 2024, the Whittier LGBTQ+ Community Center has become an essential resource, serving over 1,000 clients. The services offered range from mental health and substance abuse services to legal assistance and health and wellness support, with the additional benefit of a variety of social and cultural events. Calderon stated during the same presentation, "the center has already helped so many."
Hahn didn't shy away from acknowledging the initial resistance encountered by the project, revealing that some locals weren't keen on the idea of an LGBTQ+ center in their neighborhood. But the resolve to establish a space that would engender dignity and belonging outlived the resistance. Hahn, alongside Michael Owh, director of the County's Internal Services Department, which designed and built the center, and Damonté Watson, the center's director, were presented with County scrolls in appreciation for their roles in the project. According to Hahn, the strategic repurposing of vacant offices in a County-owned building became the first dedicated LGBTQ+ space in the region.
The event also served to reaffirm the commitment of the local government and partners to continue supporting the LGBTQ+ community through the center's endeavors. Assemblymember Calderon expressed looking forward to "continuing our partnership as we expand a center’s reach and ensure it remains a vibrant, inclusive welcoming place for all," echoing the sentiment of inclusion and long-term support for marginalized communities.
For more visuals from the celebration and historic opening, the county has released downloadable media, such as photos and video from the event, available on their official website.
