UGLA’s April 2023 President’s Message

On April 16 – the 3rd Sunday – UGLA will be holding its 40th Anniversary & Installation of Officers. We’re very proud to welcome Richard Bass, Co-Founder of UGLA, as MC and State Senator Anthony Portantino as Installing Officer. In addition to the potluck meal, UGLA will serve an anniversary cake and a champagne toast. There will be no guest fee. Please invite your family, friends, and neighbors to attend.

I’m very proud of UGLA’s accomplishments this past year. We have returned to our regular live mixers while supporting events for homeless and at-risk LGBTQ+ Youth; launched our 2023 scholarship program, and financing our Matching Funds program. Also, last month’s mixer, “Super Bows of Chamber Music,” was a terrific collaboration with important NELA groups: the Santa Cecilia Orchestra and the Women’s 20th Century Club.

In the coming months, we will be having our PRIDE event in June and a special Elton John Tribute Concert in the Park in August.

Meanwhile, we need to fight for our rights, as our community is under attack in states across the nation. Whether it’s about trans youth, conversion therapy, or hateful and ridiculous charges about us causing the failure of banks, we need to strengthen our connections with all those groups and folks who are fighting for equality, social justice, women’s rights and healthcare, and against racism.