I am so excited to announce that The Center’s LGBTQ+ Luminaries Lunch is returning on June 18, 2026! This annual Signature Event by The Center is an extraordinary opportunity to join hundreds of LGBTQ+ community members and allies during National Pride Month in celebration of our joy, power, and care for each other.
The 2026 LGBTQ+ Luminaries Lunch will be an inspiring event that showcases the rich diversity of San Diego’s LGBTQ+ community, uplifts the bold leaders among us, and unites us all to protect the services our communities need.
And because Pride Month is also about celebrating our LGBTQ+ identities out loud, guests can look forward to a special musical surprise during the program, one that reminds us how we measure a life, honor community, and find joy and light in times of darkness.
Over the past year, we have faced ongoing attacks against transgender and immigrant rights, threats to our democracy, and attempts to dismantle the movement and resources we have spent decades building. Yet it is in these dark moments that our care for each other shines brightest, as our community finds a way to spark change, and to use the power of our advocacy, acts of kindness, and our collective voice to fight for a better future.
At the event, we will honor our Luminaries, the leaders who uplift our communities and inspire each of us to join them. Their stories will show us that meaningful change is possible and remind us that we can continue to build LGBTQ+ power and make an impact when we come together.
Announcing Our LGBTQ+ Icon Award Recipient: Toni Atkins
We are deeply proud to announce the first of our four Luminaries this year: Toni Atkins (she/her), Senate President Pro Tempore Emeritus.
Toni Atkins embodies how to lead with care, courage, and commitment to community. Toni was the first lesbian to serve as both the Speaker of the California Assembly and the California Senate President pro Tempore, leading both houses.
Long before she held historic leadership roles, she dedicated her career to ensuring people, especially women and marginalized communities, had access to compassionate, informed care. That same ethos has defined her decades in public service. Toni has broken barriers and transformed what leadership looks like.
Through landmark legislation like the Gender Recognition Act, the Name and Dignity Act, and the Respect After Death Act, Toni has affirmed the dignity, identity, and humanity of transgender and nonbinary Californians at every stage of life. Her advocacy has ensured that LGBTQ+ people are seen, respected, and empowered under the law.
In moments when our communities face uncertainty, Toni Atkins has remained a strong and principled force, championing equality, expanding access to healthcare and housing, and standing for justice. Her legacy reflects a deep understanding that policy is personal, and that our power is measured by how we care for one another.
For her groundbreaking advocacy and her profound commitment to uplifting the LGBTQ+ community, Toni Atkins is nothing short of an icon, and we are so proud to honor her as the LGBTQ+ Icon Award recipient this year.
Join the Movement
Be part of this remarkable moment as we uplift more trailblazing leaders and celebrate our brilliant community together. Toni Atkins is just one of the bold Luminaries we will honor this year, so stay tuned as we announce other nominees, and grab your spot now!
Join us by purchasing tickets on our website or reaching out to our Development team to reserve or pledge a table at partner@thecentersd.org.
Bring your friends, coworkers, family, and allies to share in this momentous celebration. You will be joining one of the most spectacular community events during National Pride Month here in San Diego, while also directly supporting The Center’s programs and services that help keep our community strong.
As we face ongoing challenges, this year has reminded us that we must come together to care for our community to continue the legacy of our LGBTQ+ movement—and the 2026 LGBTQ+ Luminaries Lunch is your chance to be part of that.
I hope to see you there!
In community,
Ian Johnson (he/him)
Senior Director of Development