[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 157 (Monday, September 24, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S6275]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE GAY AND LESBIAN COMMUNITY CENTER OF SOUTHERN NEVADA

  Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Mr. President, for 25 years the Gay and Lesbian 
Community Center, ``the Center,'' of Southern Nevada has served as a 
vital resource for the LGBTQ community and their allies in and around 
Las Vegas. The Center offers essential services such as comprehensive 
sex education and college and career readiness, all while fighting to 
end discrimination against and further the well-being of the lesbian, 
gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community.
  In 1993, the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada 
purchased a building and opened its doors, becoming the first safe 
public space in Las Vegas for LGBTQ people. That year, the Nevada 
Legislature repealed sodomy laws and the Center hosted its first LGBTQ 
rights celebration.
  Since then, the Center has continued to grow with the city and has 
hosted many more events, including to celebrate the Supreme Court 
decision instituting marriage equality nationwide. The Center also 
celebrated the opening of a new building in 2013 named after Las Vegas 
philanthropist Robert Forbuss. The Center has increased its services, 
outreach, and membership throughout the years and has formed valuable 
community partnerships with government entities, private companies, and 
other nonprofits in order to maintain its no-cost community 
programming.
  For two and a half decades, the Center has been unwavering in its 
commitment to the people of southern Nevada. The Center will continue 
to be on the leading edge of advocacy for the human rights of gay, 
lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals. I ask my 
colleagues to join me in thanking the Gay and Lesbian Center of 
Southern Nevada for its dedication to ensuring all Nevadans are treated 
equally and for its service to the community over the past 25 years.

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