Joe Hollendoner spoke at the May 3 annual fundraiser. (photo courtesy of L.A. LGBT Center)

On May 3, hundreds of the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s sustaining donors gathered at the Anita May Rosenstein Campus in Hollywood for a reimagining of the annual fundraiser. The event, L.A. Forever, was a celebration of Los Angeles’ LGBTQ+ community and those who have generously contributed to the Look What Love Can Do fund. A fund established to prove love, not hate, is what the community needs most during politically challenging times.

At LA Forever, the center honored two extraordinary champions: Sheryl Lee Ralph, who has stood with the LGBTQ+ community since the early days of the HIV/AIDS crisis, and Dr. Johanna Olson-Kennedy, a trailblazer in transgender youth healthcare. Their courage reminds everyone of what is possible when they choose to show up for one another – again and again, no matter the risk.

Center CEO Joe Hollendoner spoke about the unprecedented challenges the center is facing. In a matter of months, the center has lost $4.6 million in federal funding, with another $6 million on the line.

In response to the budget and humanitarian crisis, attendees helped the center raise nearly $800,000. For information and to donate, visit lalgbtcenter.org. The L.A. LGBT Center is located at 1625 Schrader Blvd.