A few months ago, I had the opportunity to sit down with Brian Poth, Chief Executive Officer, and Nick Vargas, Director of Development and Strategy at The Source LGBT+ Center in Visalia, California. Initially, I intended for this article to focus solely on that conversation and the insights they shared. However, considering the events we continue to see unfold in the media day after day, I felt compelled to shift the focus. This piece now explores how The Source LGBT+ Center stands as a beacon of hope—offering support, belonging, and resilience during a time when the LGBTQ+ community faces ongoing challenges.
The Source LGBT+ Center was founded in 2016, and in 2026 it celebrates its 10-year anniversary, marking a decade of service to the LGBTQ+ community in the Central Valley. Its mission is “to provide supportive spaces within our communities for LGBTQ+ people to learn,
grow, belong, and thrive,” while its vision is “a Central Valley where all LGBTQ+ people are valued and celebrated.” Beyond these guiding principles, the organization operates from a clear theory of change—recognizing that many LGBTQ+ individuals in rural Central California continue to face stigma, discrimination, and limited access to support. In response, The Source is committed to creating safe, inclusive, and empowering environments grounded in community, inclusion, visibility, equity, and advocacy (The Source LGBT+ Center, accessed 2026)
Through its programs and partnerships, The Source provides welcoming spaces, leadership development opportunities, and access to culturally competent healthcare, mental health services, and social support. It also engages in advocacy efforts and collaborates with community leaders to strengthen protections and improve outcomes for LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly those who have been historically marginalized. These efforts reflect a broader commitment to ensuring that LGBTQ+ people are not only supported, but able to fully live, grow, and thrive in a community that recognizes their dignity and worth.
Amid growing challenges facing the LGBTQ+ community, The Source LGBT+ Center has remained on the front lines of advocacy and support. From responding to proposed anti-transgender ordinances in Porterville in 2025, to addressing broader policy efforts at the state level, and confronting incidents within the Visalia Unified School District, the organization has consistently mobilized to protect and uplift the community. When direct presence at the state capitol was not possible, The Source ensured its voice was still heard by submitting letters to legislators and coordinating with LGBTQ+ advocates to speak out against harmful legislation. Locally, the organization has also responded to community crises, including incidents of hate speech in schools. Following the widely circulated photo involving students at Redwood High School, The Source addressed the real impact of such actions. As Ericka Hawkyard, Director of Programs, explained, “Hate speech does have a direct impact on not only student performance, but also students’ feelings of isolation, anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideations. We’re seeing kids start to model behaviors that they’re seeing in adults, and now that behavior is trickling down into our schools.” In response, The Source hosted community forums to empower individuals to speak out while also providing support spaces for those processing the emotional impact of these events (Colon, 2026).
These local challenges reflect a broader national reality. According to The Trevor Project, LGBTQ+ youth in the United States continue to face alarming mental health challenges. Approximately 36% report seriously considering suicide, and 1 in 10 have attempted it within the past year. Barriers to care remain significant, with 44% unable to access needed mental health services, while 90% report that recent anti-LGBTQ+ laws and political debates have negatively impacted their well-being. Bullying, discrimination, and victimization remain widespread. At the same time, legislative trends show both progress and concern, with hundreds of anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced alongside efforts to expand protections. Yet even within these challenges, there is a powerful point of hope: LGBTQ+ youth in supportive and affirming environments attempt suicide at less than one-third the rate of those in unaccepting spaces. These findings underscore the life-saving importance of inclusive communities (The Trevor Project, 2026).
It is within this context that The Source LGBT+ Center’s work becomes even more critical. The organization has expanded its services to directly address these challenges, particularly through its Transgender Program, which is now trans-led and provides peer support, resources, and affirming spaces. Programs like the Transcending Gender Group create opportunities for connection, while additional peer support groups extend services into
surrounding counties. The Source also provides tangible support through its Gender Affirmation Station and offers guidance for name and gender marker changes, along with referrals to mental health services (The Source, accessed 2026).
Beyond this, The Source invests heavily in youth development through programs designed to support social-emotional wellness and leadership growth. Initiatives such as Li’l Sourcerers, Queers & Peers, and the Leadership Academy create spaces where young people can build community, develop skills, and find their voice. Additional opportunities, including the Youth Board and scholarship program, empower youth to actively shape their futures while reinforcing a strong sense of belonging (The Source, accessed 2026).
As The Source LGBT+ Center celebrates its 10-year anniversary, it marks a decade of advocacy, resilience, and unwavering support for the LGBTQ+ community in one of California’s most underserved regions. That commitment to belonging has now entered a new chapter through its “Build to Belong” capital campaign, an ambitious effort to raise $3 million to expand services and secure a permanent home for the community. Having already reached its first milestone of $1 million to pay off its building, The Source is continuing forward—working to expand healthcare services, increase access to gender-affirming care, and build long-term sustainability through an endowment (The Source, accessed 2026).
In a region where acceptance has not always been guaranteed, The Source LGBT+ Center stands as more than just a resource—it is a home. It is a place where individuals are seen, valued, and supported, and where community is actively built every day.
For those inspired to support this mission, you can contribute to The Source LGBT+ Center’s “Build to Belong” campaign by visiting the donation link provided in the resources. Every contribution helps strengthen and expand the services that so many rely on. If you’re unable to donate, you can still make an impact by following The Source on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to stay informed and engaged with their work.
In a time marked by uncertainty and division, The Source LGBT+ Center remains a powerful reminder that hope is not lost—it is being built every day. As Brian Poth shared, in an interview with the James Irvine Foundation “The Source gives people a place they can come and be themselves. You don’t have to go away to be gay. You can stay.” In the Central Valley, where support can sometimes feel out of reach, that message carries profound meaning. As Nick Vargas also said in the same interview with the James Irvine Foundation “The Source is more than just a community center; it’s a movement towards greater understanding, acceptance, and inclusion in a region where these values are most needed.” Together, these words capture the heart of what The Source represents: not just a place, but a promise—a promise that LGBTQ+ individuals are not alone, that they belong, and that even in the darkest moments, there is still a light shining forward.
References:
Trevor News. How has the 2026 state legislative session impacted LGBTQ+ youth? The Trevor Project. Published July 3, 2026.
Investigation underway for ‘homophobic photo’ of Redwood High School students in Visalia – 2026 – Colón
Trevor News. Study shows LGBTQ+ youth in the U.S. face high rates of suicidality and victimization, worsened by Anti-LGBTQ+ politics. Trevor Poject. Published May 6, 2026.
Brian Poth & Nick Vargas The Source LGBT+ Center fostering hope, health, safety, and inclusivity for the Central Valley’s LGBTQ+ community. The James Irvine Foundation.
Accessed September 3, 2026.
The Source LGBT+ Center: THEORY of change. The Source LGBT+ Center. Accessed September 3,
2026.
Capital campaign. The Source LGBT+ Center. Accessed September 3, 2026. Our capital campaign. The Source LGBT+ Center.
Accessed September 3, 2026.
Home page. The Source LGBT+ Center. Accessed September 3, 2026.
