Chicago, IL
Thank you, Seven and Robert, for your generous introduction, and thank you to CenterLink for this heartfelt honor. Congratulations tomorrow to you, Judy, for your well-deserved recognition as CEO of the LOFT. Lorri Jean is a dear friend and colleague and Lorri is surely proud to see you receive this award in her name.
It’s deeply meaningful to be recognized by an organization that unites so many of our LGBTQ+ community centers across the country. These centers are more than just spaces—they are lifelines, offering hope, support, and a sense of belonging for those who often feel isolated.
My journey began in spaces like these, as a hotline counselor at the Jim Toy Center in Michigan back in 1978. It was there that I learned the true power of connection and the importance of giving people a place where they can be themselves, unapologetically.
That passion drove me through the creation of GeoCities, which, at its core, was about giving people a voice and a way to connect with others. After selling GeoCities, I dedicated myself to activism and philanthropy, creating the David Bohnett Foundation to support organizations like CenterLink, which build bridges within and beyond our community.
But in this moment, we cannot rest. Our country, and indeed our world, is more polarized than ever. The forces that divide us seem overwhelming at times.
Yet, I believe that the work we do—through our LGBTQ+ centers and in our daily lives—has never been more important. We must commit to being the healers, the bridge-builders, the ones who bring people together when the world tries to tear them apart.
Our CyberCenters are one piece of that puzzle—offering not just technology, but hope and opportunity. But it’s all of us, in this room, who have the power to foster deeper connections, build stronger communities, and support each other in a world that desperately needs healing.
As I accept this award, I ask each of you to take a moment right now and think of who you are mentoring to take your place.
Who is the next generation of leaders in your life? And what can you do, when you return home, to ensure that person is ready to step into your shoes when the time comes?
And please don’t forget to acknowledge and thank those who have mentored you along your journey to get here.
Let us not wait. Let us continue to fight for a future where every person can live with dignity, love, and belonging. You are all leaders who have the responsibility and capacity to spark change, to heal divides, and to foster a world where every person can live authentically and with pride. The work we do is not just for ourselves, but for the generations that will follow.
I have been in this movement a long time and have witnessed first-hand the change and progress that’s possible through organizations like CenterLink. Together, let’s build that brighter future—starting now, starting with us
Thank you again to CenterLink and to all of you for allowing me to be a part of this vital movement.