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DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION STATEMENT OF The Gala Pride and Diversity Center (GPDC)
In working with and for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, queer, Indigenous identities, and similarly identified (LGBTQ+) communities in San Luis Obispo County, The Gala Pride and Diversity Center (GPDC) commits to proactively working in solidarity against white supremacy, settler-colonialism, xenophobia, ableism, capitalist exploitation, religious bigotry, and all forms of cisheteropatriarchy.
TO READ OUR FULL DEI STATEMENT, SELECT YOUR PREFERRED LANGUAGE BUTTON FROM THE SELECTION BELOW:
“THE GALA PRIDE AND DIVERSITY CENTER SUPPORT AND EMPOWER PEOPLE OF ALL SEXUAL ORIENTATIONS, GENDER IDENTITIES, AND EXPRESSIONS TO STRENGTHEN AND UNITE OUR CENTRAL COAST COMMUNITY.”
This is our brand mission.
It is the mantra that we live by and guides everything that we do. If our activities and attitudes contribute towards this, then we are doing the right thing.
We have designed this specifically to connect with our community and partners who will share in our collective vision and the impact it will have.
Be Bold. Be You.
Values
These are our core 3 values, the underlining pillars that help us ensure we are on track to achieve our mission. They connect us with our community and drive us in this movement.
Authentic Boldness
We are unique, brave, innovative, creative, courageous and beautiful. We each have a strong sense of purpose, an array of talents, and passion for creating a better world. We are a resilient people who are authentic and unafraid to boldly and rightfully exist.
Community Empowerment
We value the socially transformative impact of our collective efforts and talents. By working together, fostering open communication, furthering understanding, and building caring and supportive environments, we empower the entire community with the power of our PRIDE.
Intersectional Justice
We believe that the diversity of our community is one of its greatest strengths, yet deep disparities exist –especially for those who sit at the intersection of marginalized identities. We believe we cannot fight one form of oppression without fighting all forms of oppression. We are committed to expanding access, equity, and inclusion in sustainable ways.
+ Monthly Support Meetings
+ Community Members Serviced Monthly
+ Business Partners
Corporate Information
Transparency is paramount to our education & community growth practices. In our continuing efforts to keep our organization open to public, we want our community to have access to our organizational information, bylaws, board policies and agreements, and financial documentation.
Organization
Board of Director Policies
Letters From The Gala Pride & Diversity Center
Letter From The Board - October 14, 2024
Dear Community,
It is with open and vulnerable hearts that we reach out to share a disturbing discovery our Board of Directors made last week regarding the disgraceful and illegal behavior of the Gala Pride & Diversity Center’s former Executive Director, Dustin Colyer-Worth.
In June 2024, Mr. Colyer-Worth moved from a full-time role as Executive Director to a part-time role, as the organization worked to transition him out completely at the end of the year. Between June and September, we encountered persistent challenges in gaining access to essential systems, processes, and banking information, which hindered our ability to maintain oversight. Due to these ongoing issues, the Board decided on September 22, 2024, to fully cut ties with Mr. Colyer-Worth. On October 2, 2024, the Board begun to uncover evidence that Mr. Colyer-Worth had diverted organizational funds into his personal accounts.
Beyond being appalled by such behavior, we are deeply saddened to discover that a trusted leader of our organization would betray our LGBTQ+ community and attempt to profit from your generosity to our mission. We are committed to addressing this betrayal with transparency and integrity. We are working closely with legal counsel and local authorities to conduct a full investigation, including a forensic audit, to determine the full extent of this financial misconduct. We are also implementing stricter financial and operational oversight measures to ensure that such actions can never happen again.
We want to thank you for being a supporter of this organization. We know that this news may impact your trust in us, and we are committed to rebuilding that trust. To help rebuild our connection with the community, we will be hosting a Q&A session in the coming weeks where we encourage you to share your questions, thoughts, and concerns. We will announce details on our website and social media, and we welcome your participation.
The critical support and resources we provide—whether through advocacy, support groups, or family-friendly events—will remain a steadfast priority. As an organization, we feel appalled at the risk of harm that these services were put under. Despite this setback, we are more determined than ever to honor our mission of empowering people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions throughout the Central Coast.
Thank you for standing by us. This betrayal has been horrifying to uncover, and we are grateful for your understanding as we navigate this difficult time. We pledge to keep you informed throughout this process, and to bear witness to your grief as you process alongside us. Together we will rebuild and reaffirm our commitment to the community.
In Humble Gratitude,
The Gala Pride & Diversity Center Board of Directors
Letter from the President - September 30, 2024
Beloved Community,
My name is Julia. I am a mother of two, a wife, a queer woman, and I’ve been part of this community for 35 years. I grew up in Morro Bay, worked at several local schools, and even spent two years as a foster parent. I care deeply about this community, which is why I volunteered to join the Board of The Gala Pride & Diversity Center in January 2023.
Today, I am reaching out to you with an urgent plea. The Gala Pride & Diversity Center is facing a critical financial situation that threatens our ability to continue the essential work we do for the San Luis Obispo and Northern Santa Barbara County communities. We are at a crossroads, and without immediate support, we risk losing the lifeline that this center provides to so many.
You may know The Pride & Diversity Center for our incredible Pride celebrations, family-friendly events, and vibrant community gatherings. But beyond the festivities, there is vital, life-saving work happening quietly behind the scenes. Our two staff members—yes, just two—Serrin and Jbird, are tirelessly dedicated to serving the most vulnerable among us. They provide support to unhoused individuals, those escaping domestic violence, and community members facing
workplace discrimination. They train volunteers to lead support groups, advocate for LGBTQ+ individuals in hospitals and government agencies, and create connections that strengthen the fabric of our community.
But we cannot continue this work alone. We need your help now more than ever. In California alone, an estimated 1.6 million adults identify as LGBTQ+. We are your coworkers your neighbors, your family members, and your friends. We are part of the very fabric of this community. And right now, that fabric is fraying.
If you can make a financial contribution, please do so today. If you’re passionate about our cause and want to take an active role, consider joining our fundraising committee. If you know someone who might be empathetic to our situation, please share our story with them. And if you have any questions or need more information, I’m here to talk.
I love this community, and I want to make it better for everyone. But we can only do that with your support.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
In Gratitude,
Julia Thompson | President, Board of Directors
Introducing:
The Gala Pride and Diversity Center Staff
Director of Programming
Serrin Ruggles
They/Them
California born and raised, Serrin is a non-binary, bisexual, polyamorous firebrand who, when faced with picking their gender and sexual identity, decided to go with “yes”. They grew up in San Luis Obispo, though a piece of their heart is still in Santa Cruz, where they earned a degree in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology. Their professional background is in laboratory science, but they’ve been moonlighting as a volunteer and event organizer with the Gala Pride and Diversity Center and other local LGBTQ+ groups since 2016. They are a passionate educator and have developed and taught a wide range of LGBTQ+, kinky, and sex positive classes for groups seeking either personal or professional development.
Serrin is committed to an intersectional understanding of the needs of LGBTQ+ communities and inclusive dialogues in advocacy efforts. They are particularly interested in the rich (and often forgotten) LGBTQ+ histories across different cultures, eras, and communities. They are dedicated to furthering the cause of education, outreach, and support, and they look forward to being a positive, supportive member of the local LGBTQ+ community.
Director of Operations
JBird
Any Pronouns
The incomparable JBird! With extensive experience managing every aspect of a stage she is a fixture of the community. Few in number are those who, whether doing drag or burlesque, live theatre and special events, have not crossed paths with them.
Youth Director
Margaret Johnson
She/Her/Hers
Margaret (she/her/hers) is a queer writer, artist, and musician who was born and raised in SLO at a time when safe space for LGBTQ+ youth was almost impossible to find. She has worked directly with youth and families for many years as a social worker and has overseen numerous programs. Margaret provides consultation and training in trauma-informed behavior management to organizations and schools all over the country and manages an extensive DEI initiative called “Belonging in Action” as part of that work. She is deeply committed to social justice and fostering a sense of belonging for members of historically marginalized communities. Margaret and her spouse Les have been together for over 20 years. They enjoy live music (the louder the better!), traveling, having fun with family (bio and chosen), spending time at the ocean, and creating things. They have two silly cats and the best chihuahua in the world. Margaret truly values her role at Gala and is reminded every day of the very real importance of our services.
Introducing the Gala Pride and Diversity Center
Board of Directors
The mission of the Board of Directors at the Gala Pride & Diversity Center is to champion the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion by fostering a welcoming, safe, and affirming environment for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. The Board works collaboratively to oversee the organization’s strategic direction, ensure financial sustainability, and mobilize resources for programs that empower, educate, and advocate for LGBTQ+ individuals. Through community engagement, fundraising, and activism, the Board strives to enhance the well-being of all LGBTQ+ people while fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging in San Luis Obispo County.
Our monthly board meetings, held on the third Thursday of the month via Zoom, are open to the public. Please contact our Secretary, Jenna Wallravin, using the form below to get added to the agenda and access to the Zoom invite.
Join our Monthly Board Meeting
Julia Thompson
President
She/Her
Appointed: January 2023
Julia is a queer mother of 2 really funny kids who grew up on the Central Coast. She lives with her adorable enby partner, kids, and a cat with bunny legs and no tail in a very messy but happy house. She graduated from Cal State Northridge with a BA in Deaf Studies and a minor in Queer Studies. After working as an American Sign Language Interpreter locally for 5 years, Covid-19 steered Julia is a very different path. She now works for the non-profit CASA, advocating for foster youth in the court system. Julia leads the program serving teens and young adults, and has a passion for working through the unique challenges of this age range.
Julia cares deeply about recentering intersectional experiences as an ongoing action, rather than a "one and done" plan. She values education reform, providing opportunities for expression and growth, and lifting the voices of those she serves, not speaking over them.
Jenna Wallravin
Secretary, Marketing Committee Chair
She/Her
Appointed: September 2024
Jenna, a Central Coast Native, grew up in Atascadero and has called San Luis Obispo home for the past 15 years. In April 2024, she joined the Gala Pride & Diversity Center's Marketing Committee for Pride 2024, eager to give back to her community. The Gala Center plays a critical role in supporting the LGBTQ+ community in San Luis Obispo County, and Jenna is passionate about ensuring it thrives for years to come.
With 16 years of experience in leadership, operations, and marketing, Jenna brings a strategic mindset to her work with the The Gala Center. Her focus is on strengthening the operational foundation and helping the organization market its events, resources, and fundraising campaigns to their fullest potential. By doing so, she aims to help The Gala Center grow and secure the necessary funding to continue its mission.
For Jenna, the Central Coast isn’t just home—it’s where she grew up, made lifelong memories, and built deep ties with family and friends. In her free time, she enjoys good food, wine tasting, golfing, and spending time outdoors with her partner. You can often find them soaking in the hot tubs, hosting BBQs with loved ones, or spending time on their family ranch in Pozo, CA.
Aja Milne
She/Her
Appointed: December 2022
Aja has been a SLO county resident for more than 30 years. She attended Atascadero high school, Cuesta College, and graduated from Cal Poly with a degree in history and a teaching credential.
Aja is a single mom, coparenting 3 incredible kids in the north county - alongside 2 cats and her 17 year old dog Ginobili. Aja has worked in public service for almost 20 years with California State Parks. She is the event coordinator for Hearst Castle and all our beautiful state parks in the SLO Coast District.
Aja’s boundless love for her community and kids fuels her passion for activism. She has so much to learn and so much to give and cannot wait to see you all out there!
Fr Ian Delinger
He/Him/His
Appointed: December 2022
The Rev Ian Delinger (goes by Father Ian - he/him/his) is the Rector (senior priest) at St Stephen's Episcopal Church in San Luis Obispo. A native of the Central Coast, Fr Ian also grew up in western Nebraska, traveling to-and-from California for most of his childhood. After college, he worked in the Silicon Valley for almost a decade before heading to Cambridge, UK for seminary. Fr Ian was ordained into the Church of England and served in and just outside of Manchester for 11 years before moving back to the Central Coast. Fr Ian enjoys the food and drink culture of the Central Coast, and he produces a monthly radio segment on KCBX called "Playing With Food".
Willow Kawamoto
She/Her/Maybe Yours
Appointed: January 2023
Willow is an Asian Pre-Op Transgender Lesbian, Neurodivergent Gen Xer and very proud of it. Born in Tokyo, Japan and raised in Rockville, MD. She has spent most of her life pre-transition being an ally to the LGTBQ community in Washington D.C., Virginia and Maryland areas. She moved to California over ten years ago landing in Orange County and then has been living and working in Morro Bay.
She is an ardent supporter and activist for Asian visibility and Transgender rights. She works as a volunteer with the organization FreeMomHugs to ensure that every person knows that they are loved and supported and hugged. When she is not working, she is a culinary expert with Central Coast Foodies demonstrating that a good meal can be done within budget and still be healthy. She is a writer, a musician, a chef. The decision to join GALA was not an easy one, but one that will come with the opportunity to be a voice for several communities that do not have a voice, to be a vote for the communities that does not have one, and to be a face that needs to represent what it means to be everything and everyone.
Personal Belief: "I do not believe in Faking it till I Make it because I am a Hack. I refuse to fake anything. Hacks know a little about everything and because of that they look for the details that most people overlook and turn that into an opportunity. Because where there is an opportunity, there is Hope."
Personal Quotes: "Hack it till you can Back it", "Be Kind", "Buckle up, Let's Fly", and finally, "I bid you an open feast."
Eliška Martinez
Governance Committee Vice-Chair, Governmental Affairs Committee Vice-Chair
She/Her
Appointed: August 2024
Eliška is a passionate advocate for inclusion and community building. Originally from Denver with Czech roots, she has made San Luis Obispo her home while pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering at Cal Poly. As a queer woman, Eliška embraces her journey with gender and sexual identity, striving to uplift and create visibility for those in the LGBTQ+ community. Her role as a board member for the Gala Pride and Diversity Center reflects her deep commitment to fostering safe, supportive, and inclusive spaces for all LGBTQ+ individuals.
Eliška’s outlook on life is grounded in peace, creativity, and connection. She believes that life’s purpose is not something fixed but rather a personal journey, with each individual shaping their own meaning. A lover of reading and collecting postcards, she enjoys exploring the world through literature and the meaningful connections formed with others. In her free time, you’ll often find her hiking or spending time with her two beloved cats, Void and Slinky.
Kimberli Andridge
She/Her/They/Them
Appointed: January 2023
Kimberli spent their childhood and early adult years living all over the United States, settling in SLO in 2014. A Psychologist by training, she has devoted their career to community advocacy, activism, and providing affirming mental health services to LGBTQIA+ clients. Kimberli is passionate about looking at diversity, equity, and inclusion from an intersectional framework and is actively involved in various local and national committees, including serving on SLO Behavioral Health DEI committee, co-chairing the LGBTQIA+ subcommittee of the SLO County Suicide Prevention Council, and co-chairing the Gender Affirming Treatment Team at Cal Poly Campus Health and Wellbeing. Kimberli is thrilled to have the opportunity to continue to serve the local community via the GPDC Board of Directors!
On a personal note, Kim is a queer, genderfluid, polyamorous, kinky community member who spends their spare time playing board games, gardening, attending concerts, watching horror films, and meaningfully connecting with their chosen family and kiddo!
Allyson (Cali) Bolotin
They/Them/She/Her
Appointed: August 2024
Cali was born and raised on the California Central Coast and moved to San Luis Obispo in 2020 with their wife. They are proudly polyamorous, queer, and unsubscribe from the traditional concept of gender, embracing a fluid identity that aligns with their commitment to living authentically. Cali is an entrepreneur, artist, activist, cat mom, the occasional teacher, and an eternal student. They have a deep passion for community involvement, volunteering with various local organizations, and hosting events that create safe, welcoming spaces for connection and growth.
Cali joined the board to advocate for inclusivity, build community, promote queer education and awareness, and provide support for the LGBTQ+ community. They are committed to ensuring that everyone, regardless of identity or background, has access to the resources, support, and spaces they need to thrive. With a focus on fostering meaningful connections and championing diversity, Cali is dedicated to creating a brighter, more inclusive future for all.
William Tomasini Scholarship
Established in early 2014, The William Tomasini Scholarship honors business and community leader and former GALA President William Tomasini.
The scholarship is designed to help empower promising LGBTQ students to achieve their full academic and leadership potential, despite the many obstacles ahead, and to make a significant and positive impact on their community.
Students who have demonstrated leadership, with a strong record of academic excellence, volunteerism and achievement, and like William, bring beauty into their LGBTQ community, will be considered for this scholarship.
If you wish to contribute to this scholarship fund, please CLICK HERE.
If you are a youth looking to apply please download the application HERE. *Note: Applications are not currently being accepted.
If you have any questions please contact us with the subject “Tomasini Scholarship”
Events & Groups Calendar
Gala Pride & Diversity Center welcomes all individuals regardless of ethnicity, ability, gender identity, sexual orientation and age. Stop by the Center for a cup of tea and a fabulous chat!
1060 Palm Street | San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 | 805-541-4252
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Provisional statement: The Gala Pride and Diversity Center is located on the land of the yak tityu tityu yak tiłhini – Northern Chumash Tribe of San Luis Obispo County and Region. We are aware that this land was taken from indigenous peoples violently, unceded - without agreement, consideration, or compensation. We are committed to including local indigenous history in our training and we set the intention of relationship with and support of local indigenous peoples. Additionally, we acknowledge our responsibility to protect the natural environment.