About the Gala Pride & Diversity Center

Dusty was born and raised in SLO County, and after a seven-year stint in San Diego for school and shenanigans, returned to the area in 2008. With a passion for building connections, he has made his career in marketing and community relations, currently with the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce as the Director of Engagement & Inclusion.

Always with an eye on making the San Luis Obispo area more welcoming and inclusive, Dusty has served on the City of SLO’s DEI Task Force and Human Relations Commission, as well as committee work for The Pride Center. Dusty is tremendously excited and honored to serve on the Pride Center Board and looks forward to the organization continuing its phenomenal work for the greater LGBTQ+ community.

Proudly polyamorous with his husband of 10 years and their partner of 6 years, Dusty is an adventurous foodie and well-known cocktail aficionado and crafter. His household is completed by their four feline overlords: Luna, Arya, Nymeria, and Albus.

They/Them

Elissa is a Mexican-American, queer, neurodivergent, elder millenial. They grew up in the Inland Empire of California, and in their adolescence quickly fell in love with life on the coast. Elissa works in retail management where they bring their creativity and passion for team building & shared success. Fueled by Elissa’s interest in mental health, body-liberation, and fostering community, they co-facilitate F*ck Eating Disorders, a pro-recovery group for LGBTQIA+ folks with disordered eating.

Elissa enjoys live music of any genre, journaling (on paper and online) and painting, and spending time with their husband, kids, and animals.

He/Him

Originally from Southern California, Gary moved to the Central Coast in 2010 after visiting many times and absolutely falling in love with the area. Gary calls Templeton home and loves to explore the area, whether it be hiking, kayaking, or tasting the amazing food, wine and spirits the region has to offer.

Gary has been a professional in the banking industry for 20 + years, his current title being Vice President/Community Banking Manager for Community West Bank in San Luis Obispo. In his free time, Gary enjoys traveling the world with his husband John, spending time with his French bulldog Rhett, cooking fun new recipes, singing on stage in various productions, working out, spending time with loved ones, and adding to his tattoos.  

Gary has served on the LGBTQ+ Advisory Council for Twin Cities/Sierra Vista Hospitals assisting in the process of both facilities receiving their “LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader” Certifications through the Healthcare Equality Index. Gary is extremely excited to join the GALA Board of Directors and looks forward to working toward a diverse, equitable, and inclusive world for all.

He/Him/His

Douglas J. Heumann is a graduate of the Santa Barbara College of Law and a member of the Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Sections of the State Bar of California and San Luis Obispo (SLO) County Bar Associations, as well as, a member of the National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Bar Association. Mr. Heumann’s practice includes estate planning, probate, conservatorships and LGBT rights.

Mr. Heumann has volunteered with various statewide and local organizations, including the Transgender Law Center’s Leadership Council, Tranz Central Coast Steering Committee, SLO County ACLU, the Growing Together Initiative, and worked with PECG to remove the transgender exclusions from all Cal PERS health care coverage. Presently, he serves as  a Governing Board Member of Twin Cities Community Hospital. 

Any Pronouns

Ila is a queer, non-binary Cal Poly student with LGBTQ+ Campus Life. Since fall 2020, they have been working with their campus center in collaboration with GALA. Chairing the 2021 Central Coast Pride committee was the highlight of their experience. Since then, community engagement, education, and visibility have become the focus of his work. They incorporate LGBTQ+ issues into their studies as a Political Science major and minor in City and Regional Planning. Her enduring love for cities inspires her advocacy for equitable access to resources and urban space. 

You'll likely find Ila perusing our local [comic]bookstores, or otherwise, rollerblading with fellow skaters and thrifting with their roommates.

He/Him/ They/Them

Jorge Jimenez has lived on the Central Coast for over 10 years and loves every minute of it.

He lives in the fast lane and never slows down; when he is not at work, he is working on filming, photography, coding, attending events, hosting events, and more. 

After returning to help with his high school GSA, Jorge Jimenez has been involved with The Gala Pride and Diversity Center for several years and was particularly involved with the body positive projects including the All Gender Fashion Show and the billboard on Highway 101.

“I cannot wait to get to work making the world a better place for my family, my LGBTQIA+ Family.” 

He/Him

Robert came to Morro Bay to recover from a health crisis, and decided to stay, retiring here almost 7 years ago. He has volunteered part-time at the Morro Bay Community Resources Connections office for the past 5 years and moderates the meetings of EBAC, the Estero Bay Alliance for Care, an organization that is dedicated to community involvement and outreach.

Before retirement, he owned a real estate brokerage in West  Hollywood for 10 years and also worked part-time for 25 years as a bartender at the MotherLode, a local gay tavern. He learned jewelry design and manufacture, wrote and published a book about life in LA during the AIDS crisis, and finally opened his own brokerage.

His book, Asphalt Boogie, is a retrospective of his tenure at the tavern.

He/Him