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World National |
Falcon founder gives $1M to LGBT centerSUMMARY: The estate of philanthropist and adult film entrepreneur Charles Holmes has donated $1 million to the new San Francisco LGBT center. The estate of philanthropist and adult film entrepreneur Charles Holmes has donated $1 million to the San Francisco Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Community Center. The center said it is the largest gift from an individual to a LGBT organization in San Francisco's history.
As a result, the two-building complex will be called the Charles M. Holmes Campus of the San Francisco Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Community Center. "Chuck loved everything about San Francisco. He was one of the first donors to the center, and I know that he would have been so impressed with what it has become," said Terry Bean, executor of the Holmes estate. "Naming this new civic institution after our good friend will ensure his permanent place in the city he loved so much," Bean said. While best known as the founder of Falcon Studios, one of the giants in the gay men's sex video business, Holmes was also a philanthropist who contributed to many organizations, including 20 HIV /AIDS outreach programs. He also served on the boards of directors of the Human Rights Campaign and the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund. Holmes died at the age of 55 in 2000, shortly after construction crews broke ground on the center.
"It's very exciting for the center and LGBT community at large," said Oren Slozberg, interim executive director of the center. He says the center had been in negotiation with Holmes' estate for two months. "Chuck Holmes was a businessman, a civil rights leader and a major philanthropist. It's a great opportunity for the community to have a center and have Chuck's gift make this become closer to a reality," Slozberg told the Gay.com/PlanetOut.com Network. The donation brings the total amount of money raised to $14.6 million. Though still about $1 million less than the original goal, Slozberg is optimistic the full $15.3 million will be raised prior to the center's opening. "We've had 3,000 donors to the center," Slozberg said. "The community has been really supportive, and I'm sure they'll come through," he said. The center was originally slated to open in December 2001, but construction delays pushed the opening back to the week of March 2, 2002. Though the official ribbon cutting is not slated until March 3, Slozberg says the center staff has already moved into the building and San Francisco City College is already holding some classes at the facility. In addition to being a central gathering place for the LGBT community, the 41,000 square-foot facility will operate 17 programs with 40 collaborating organizations. The center also has space for meetings, dances, film screenings, art exhibits, parties, community forums and other activities. Slozberg says the goal is for the center to pay for itself by renting out its facilities and by selling annual memberships. |
