Billy defrank lgbtq groups
The Billy DeFrank Queer Community Center
Provided by the Billy DeFrank Center
The Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Community Center was established in 1981, and incorporated as a ngo in 1983: The Center has been an incubator and catalyst for modern and ongoing groups and organizations, reflecting the needs of the community at the time. The Center has continued to inspire purposeful action and make certain a safe place to gather for all in our LGBTQ+ community and allies.
The Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Community Center did not transpire in a vacuum. Through the 1970s after Stonewall (1969), Santa Clara County had a sound cluster of LGBTQ community of activists, charity, and social organizers. The Lgbtq+ Liberation Front, a band of activist gay women, were fighting for our LGBTQ rights on the San Jose State campus since Stonewall. They were also connected to a network of women’s groups, businesses, and political deed committees: Atlas Apply pressure & Bookstore, Sisters of Sappho, AMETHYST, and the Susan B. Anthony Democratic Club which was open to everyone and concentrated on gay and feminist issues. The Lambda Association (1974 – 1983), mainly consisted of gay men, was also doing charity work and loc
OVERVIEW
Mission: The Billy DeFrank Homosexual Center is building group and promoting the healing effects of social connection by hosting discussion and leadership groups as skillfully as diverse activities and events for LGBTQ+s and Allies.
The Billy DeFrank Queer Center was established in 1981, and incorporated as a nonprofit in 1983. The Center has been an incubator and catalyst for new and uninterrupted groups and organizations, reflecting the needs of the LGBTQ+ community at the time. Having a place of our own, a LGBTQ+ Center, was a need at the age, and still is today. To embrace his generous and loving spirit, the Center named itself after William Price, a well-liked, African American drag queen, Billy DeFrank. He supported everyone in the people in the 1970’s. He died in 1980 of a heart attack. Sadly, his legacy got buried under the AIDS epidemic during the 1980’s and into the 1990’s. However, his inclusive spirit lives on in the Center, even for allies, visually depicted as a gigantic mural.
San Jose LGBTQ+ center namesake embraced everyone
Not much is known about William Price, the drag queen whose name adorns the Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Community Center in San Jose.
Price, an African American drag queen and activist who performed under the name “Billy DeFrank,” used his performances to fundraise for various causes, according to Gabrielle Antolovich, president of the center’s board of directors. He died of a heart attack in 1980 and details of Price’s life have been confused to time, as most people who knew him died during the AIDS epidemic. When the center opened in 1981, organizers hoped to channel his welcoming and generous presence. Decades later the center still serves to transport people together across all walks of life.
“He loved everyone, and he was actually known as Mr. Love, because he just embraced every single person,” Antolovich told San José Spotlight. “Calling our center after him is really a higher calling.”
Silicon Valley Pride CEO Nicole Altamirano said the DeFrank center is unlike any other LGBTQ+ space in the region. Most queer harmless spaces have historically been bars, like Splash, but Altamirano said the DeFrank center stands out in how it’s accessi
Billy DeFrank LGBTQ People Center
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Organization Information
Mission Statement
The Billy DeFrank LGBT Community Center will provide Community, Leaders, Advocacy, Support, and Services to Silicon Valley's LGBT people and allies.
The Billy DeFrank LGBT Society Center accomplishes its mission by developing diverse resources that empower and assist the LGBT community and their allies.
Description
The Billy DeFrank Lesbian and Gay Community Center opened its doors on Pride 1, 1981 in a two-room storefront on Keyes St. in south downtown San Jose. A year earlier, the DeFrank Center's founders had watched with concern as Santa Clara County residents voted to repeal ordinances extending housing and employment protections to lesbians and gay men.
The new DeFrank Center emerged from a desire to respond to this setback. As its first visitors entered they crossed the threshold to a unused era of possibility for the gay and female homosexual community of the South Bay, and they acknowledged a
Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Group Center
The AACI Pray Program at the Billy DeFrank Center offers a rapid test that uses an oral swab (no needles, no blood!) and results are available in approximately 20 minutes. You can pick between Anonymous (no ID required, results delivered verbally) and Confidential (valid declare ID required, written results provided).
Testing is available Mondays 4PM - 8PM, except on Public Holidays.
Please bring photo identification if you long for confidential testing (written results provided). Upon entering the Billy DeFrank building, tell the front desk volunteer that you are interested in receiving an HIV test and they will direct you to the AACI HIV testing room. Though the try itself takes just a few minutes, each test counseling session lasts approximately 30-40 minutes (some people have more questions than others). There is no counseling time limit per person.
Our services are provided to the community for free.
For more info please call AACI (408) 278 4138
Questions? E-mail : hope@aaci.org