About the Gala Pride & Diversity Center

President

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. 

Secretary

Vice President

Samuel is a Gender & Sexuality educator, consultant, and national board-certified psychotherapist originally from the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina. As a 1st-gen professional and alumnus of Appalachian State University, Richmond International University of Rome, NC State University, and the Pacific School of Religion Samuel has worked to expand access to public education, supporting students mental health and wellbeing, and dismantle systems of oppression through social justice education and community activism.

Samuel has served as a public school teacher, college lecturer, college counselor, interfaith chaplain, drag performer, and community activist. Their current research is focused at the intersection of gender, sexuality, race, and religion with an emphasis on Queer, Womxnist, and Postcolonial Theology. Samuel currently coordinates LGBTQ Campus Life and Interfaith Initiatives at Cal Poly, serves as a trustee in the Episcopal Church, and is active in local, regional, and national community and non-profit organizations advancing public policy and resources that benefit underrepresented communities.

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.

Roxy has been living in various cities throughout Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo County all her life and is a graduate of Cal Poly. Roxy has been working for the same advertising agency for almost 20 years and loves her job; excelling in her positive attitude and productive relationships with her media partners and co-workers. Roxy will bring her commitment, dedication, and positive attitude to the Gala Pride and Diversity Center Board of Directors and to the LGBTQIA+ community.

While away from work she loves to spend time with her family, has an obsession with succulents, and has rekindled her interest in photography.

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.”