SAN DIEGO — The San Diego LGBT Community Center will celebrate the 10th anniversary of its Latin@ Services program with a special tardeada on Sunday, Oct. 19 from 1-4pm at The Center, 3909 Centre St. in San Diego.
The tardeada, a Sunday afternoon dance party, will bring the community together for Latin music, dancing, aguas frescas, tacos, mariachis, a beer garden and more.
“San Diego is the only LGBT center in the country that has a specific program for our Latino LGBT community,” said Carolina Ramos, director of Community Programs and Latin@ Services for The Center. “For 10 years, we have met the need in our LGBT community for services that are culturally and linguistically appropriate and we’ve done it in an environment that is safe, welcoming and comfortable.”
The mission of The Center’s Latin@ Services program is to support Latino LGBT community members and their families with the support and resources to help them accept and embrace all of who they are – their language, culture, traditions, spirituality along with their sexual orientation and gender identity.
Latin@ Services offers a warm and friendly drop-in space with resources available in Spanish, discussion groups led by Spanish speakers, client advocacy and case management, HIV and STD prevention and education programs, social activities and individual and family crisis interventions.
“A strong presence of a vibrant Latino community, both at The Center and throughout the LGBT community, enhances the diversity of our community,” said Richard Valdez, co-chair of The Center’s Board of Directors. “Any community is strengthened with an increase of diversity, through its cultural enhancement, a broader exchange of ideas, innovation and vibrancy. We hope that The Center’s Latino Services has helped enrich our community’s cultural diversity.”
The 10th anniversary tardeada is a free event, but in honor of Latin@ Services’ 10 years of service, The Center is encouraging attendees and other community members to pledge $10 (or more) a month for 10 months in support of the program. For more information, visit http://events.thecentersd.org/10years or call (619) 692-2077, ext. 116.
