SAN DIEGO – San Diego's LGBT community will gather together on Thursday, Aug. 19 to celebrate the re-opening of the San Diego LGBT Center’s David Bohnett CyberCenter. The community-wide open house will be an opportunity for San Diegans to view the new state-of-the-art IBM equipment and software programs and obtain the class schedule for a variety of educational opportunities available at the Cyber Center. The open house will take place from 6-7:30 p.m. at The Center, 3909 Centre St.
The David Bohnett Foundation invested more than $350,000 to “refresh” the 19 existing Cyber Centers, including San Diego. As a result, the San Diego LGBT Center received the most current computer technology including 10 new computers, 10 flat screen monitors, a laser printer, a three-year service plan, a scanner and professional graphic design software.
Michael Fleming, executive director of the David Bohnett Foundation, said San Diego's CyberCenter is extremely important for the city's gay and lesbian community.” “We now have 19 David Bohnett CyberCenters around the country at LGBT community centers and every one is a dynamic institution that reflects the community they seek to serve. Making technology available to everyone is especially important so people can find a safe space to access the Internet or learn job skills. We are glad to be able to support the San Diego Center.”
“At the San Diego LGBT Center, the David Bohnett CyberCenter provides essential free access to the Internet and computer classes for the traditionally underserved members of the LGBT community,” said Dr. Delores A. Jacobs, chief executive officer of The Center. “The CyberCenter, thanks to the on-going generosity of the David Bohnett Foundation, will now feature the latest IBM computer technology. This tremendous addition to our computer hardware and software will go a long way toward making the latest in digital educational opportunities available to LGBT San Diegans. We are deeply appreciative of our partnership with the David Bohnett Foundation, as their support enables The Center to continue to create an informed and connected community.”
“IBM's rich diversity heritage is built upon our commitment to equality and involvement in he communities we serve,” says Michael Fuller, vice president, BTO Global Partner and co-chair of IBM's LGBT Executive Diversity Task Force. “Our company has long supported the LGBT community, and we're pleased that IBM technology will help foster a virtual sense of being connected for this constituency and enhance the lives of all those the David Bohnett CyberCenter serves.”
The David Bohnett Foundation is a grant making foundation with a 30-million dollar endowment dedicated to improving society through social activism. The Foundation makes grants to national organizations, those who focus their efforts in Southern California and to local gay and lesbian centers across the country for the creation and support of David Bohnett CyberCenters.
The David Bohnett Foundation was founded by Mr. Bohnett, who started GeoCities, an Internet-based media and e-commerce company in 1994. GeoCities was acquired by Yahoo! in 1999. Bohnett, a gay man, is determined to improve society through social activism. He recognizes the importance of the Internet in creating that change and he seeks to ensure the LGBT community is connected and using the immense potential of the web.
The Bohnett Cyber Center has existed to serve and connect the San Diego LGBT community for more than three years. The San Diego Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center, Inc., (d.b.a., The Center) is the nation's second oldest and third largest LGBT community center.
For further information about The San Diego LGBT Center, contact Shawn D. Ingram at (619) 692-2077, ext. 204.
For information about the David Bohnett Foundation, contact Executive Director Michael Fleming at 310.277.4611; mfpfleming@yahoo.com.