As 2025 comes to a close, I want to take a moment to wish you all a happy and hopeful New Year, and to reflect on a challenging year that has tested us in many ways.

This year has been marked by increased political hostility toward LGBTQ+ people, attacks on transgender and immigrant rights, threats to The Center’s funding, and the dismantling of critical support systems that so many rely on. These challenges have impacted people across our region and country, and many of you have felt the weight of these struggles firsthand.

As we met each challenging moment together, this year reminded us that community power has been at the heart of The Center’s work for over 50 years. In the face of adversity, our LGBTQ+ community has risen with courage, compassion, and determination, including our staff, board, donors, volunteers, partners, and elected leaders. You have come together to protect The Center’s programs and services, donating your time and resources, hosting fundraising events, and uplifting one another when it was needed most. Your dedication is a powerful reminder of why The Center exists: to be a safe, affirming place where LGBTQ+ people can connect, dream, and build together.

As we look ahead to 2026, I want to emphasize that The Center will continue to boldly hold the line for our community and fight for our rights and dignity, including the services and resources we need. We will continue to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, provide vital services, and create spaces where everyone can feel welcomed, valued, and supported. The challenges ahead are real, but so is our strength, and we will meet those challenges united.

Thank you for your unwavering support, your generosity, and your belief in the work we do. I invite you to make a donation before the year ends to help us prepare for what’s ahead. With your continued partnership, we will carry our community forward into a new year full of hope, unity, and possibility.