Thank you so much for your contribution to our 4th annual Sacramento Red Dress Party. Your investment makes a difference in the health and wellness of our community. More than 400 guests turned out in creatively inspired RED DRESSES on Oct. 17 to join you in raising awareness to prevent new HIV infections and support the Sacramento LGBT Community Center.
The nearly $25,000 raised helps us prevent new infections through sexual health education, free and confidential HIV testing, connections to health care and health insurance, distribution of more than 50,000 safe sex kits annually, PrEP education and the Strength in Numbers HIV/AIDS peer support network. Your partnership helps us support thousands of LGBT youth, seniors and those who seek access to LGBT affirming community resources year-round.
We understand that some members of our community had concerns regarding the Red Dragon theme of the event. We apologize for the LGBT Center’s insensitivity towards the Asian Pacific Islander community in appropriating Asian themes and symbols for the Center’s Red Dress Party. We were wrong and take full responsibility for the unintended message it conveyed.
Our community’s strength is built on our diversity and the LGBT Center remains deeply committed to creating a space that reflects and welcomes that diversity. It is an unfortunate reality that prejudice is an issue that LGBT people and communities of color face in their daily lives. We strive to be a leader in promoting equality for all, but we can and will do better. This is a learning experience for us and we hope to use this opportunity to increase our understanding and competency. We are charged with being a resource to and a platform for the communities we represent and it is a responsibility we do not take lightly.s
In the coming months, we will work with diverse groups within the LGBT community, to solicit feedback and guidance on how to create a Center that can serve use all. If anyone has questions or concerns to express, please call the Center at (916) 442-0185 and speak with the executive director.