On January 13, 2018, the Board of Directors of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of Central Florida, Inc., d/b/a “The Center” held their annual board retreat and elections. Continuing as President is Jeff Buak, Quintairos, Prieto, Woods & Boyer; Vice-President Joanne Grant, Mills 50; Treasurer Timothy Vargas, NeuLion; and Secretary Roxy Santiago, Barefoot Wine & Bubbly. Continuing Directors include Pat Michaels, Willie Williams, Lolita Jerido and Sarah Elbadri. Newly elected to the Board of Directors was James Drew, Bowen, Miclette & Britt of Florida, LLC. President Jeff Buak says, “The Board of Directors of The Center is proud to continue The Center’s commitment of serving the LGBT+ community and look forward to an exciting 2018.”
During the annual retreat, the Board of Directors approved a legal name change of the organization from Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of Central Florida, Inc. to The LGBT+ Center Orlando, Inc. Executive Director George Wallace stated, “Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of Central Florida, Inc. was renamed in 2000 from Gay and Lesbian Community Services, Inc. and was originally named Gay Social Services, Inc. in its original 1978 inception. As we begin our 40th year, we felt it important to change the name of the organization to better reflect our expanding community”. The website will remain TheCenterOrlando.org and the dba will become The Center Orlando. Along with the new name comes an updated celebratory logo (attached) marking the 40th anniversary. Wallace continues, “The anniversary is no small milestone and we feel it important to celebrate being one of the oldest LGBT Center’s in the United States.” Wallace also notes that there will be planned events throughout the year marking the anniversary of The Center’s incorporation in November 1978.
