Why Give

Resource Center Dallas is a trusted leader that empowers the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities and all people affected by HIV through improving health and wellness, strengthening families and communities and providing transformative education and advocacy.

In 1983, the Center began as a grassroots activist organization to fight discrimination, and quickly responded to the HIV epidemic. For 27 years, the Center has provided programs of interest to LGBT individuals and critical assistance to people living with HIV/AIDS and their families. Annually, 50 staff members and more than 1,100 volunteers provide services and education to over 50,000 individuals in the DFW area.

 

RECENT ACHIEVEMENTS:

Local Policy Changes

The Center’s recent advocacy for local policy change means around 300,000 people in the Dallas area have nondiscrimination protections regardless if they are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. Previously, some employees had protections based solely on sexual orientation, while others had no protections at all. Starting in June 2010, the Center led efforts to make policies inclusive at various entities in the greater Dallas area. As a result:

• Around 39,000 public sector employees now have transgender protections (about 2600 Dallas Area Rapid Transit + roughly 2400 DFW International Airport + around 7000 Dallas County government + roughly 20,000 Dallas Independent School District + about 7000 Dallas County Community College District).
• DFW Airport employees are also protected against discrimination based on sexual orientation. Prior to the Center's advocacy, there were no employment protections for LGBT employees.
• Additionally, over a QUARTER MILLION students in the Dallas area have protections based on gender identity and gender expression thanks to the Center’s activism. The exact number is roughly 260,000 students—about 180,000 at DISD and about 80,000 at DCCCD.

 

DISD Anti-Bullying Policy

The Center made significant strides in advocacy for the North Texas LGBT community. Along with other area agencies, Center staff worked with the Dallas Independent School District (DISD) to formulate an enumerated anti-bullying policy which protects students from bullying for sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. The Center also worked with local employers, including Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, to include sexual orientation and gender identity as part of their nondiscrimination policies. The diversity training program offered by the Center continues to expand with 25 presentations to more than 700 participants with state agencies, corporations, civic organizations, universities and interested individuals in 2010.

 

HIV & STD Prevention Programs

HIV and STD prevention efforts continue to be a focus for the Center. The prevention program integrates risk reduction counseling, support, and targeted referrals for medical, psychological and social services. Since its inception, the program has grown from a grassroots community outreach activity into an innovative, community coalition-based effort. In 2010, the prevention program’s Stomp Out Syphilis (SOS) campaign partnered with the DISD and now provides innovative prevention presentations to numerous middle and high schools in Dallas. SOS is regarded as one of the most successful STD prevention programs in the State of Texas and has become a model for state funded prevention programs. Program staff are regularly asked to present at state and national conferences on the success of the Center’s prevention model. 

HIV continues to take a devastating toll on the LGBT community. According to a study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2010, approximately one in five men who have sex with men is infected with HIV, and nearly half of those men are unaware of their infection. The study took place in 21 major U.S. cities, including Dallas, illustrating the urgent need for prevention services in our community. The Center is dedicated to increasing access to HIV testing so that more people know their status and can seek timely treatment.

 

Diversity Training

The Center has identified significant need for cultural competency/diversity education about the LGBT and HIV+ communities in North Texas. In interactions with area corporations, civic and religious organizations and educational institutions, the Center’s staff have noted a lack of understanding and/or knowledge about the LGBT and HIV+ communities. As an example, the Center recently joined the Dallas Area Agency on Aging. During subsequent meetings, Center staff noted that the needs of LGBT seniors were not being considered by the agency in the course of their advocacy work. The Center has now engaged with the agency to educate them about the LGBT community. In addition to expanded cultural competency/diversity education, the Center has identified the need for tailored presentations that appeal to the unique perspectives of the corporate/business, social services, faith communities, governmental and educational settings.