Richard Burns To Leave NYC LGBT Center

Richard Burns, the longest-serving head of any LGBT organization in the United States, is resigning after 22 years as executive director of the NYC LGBT Community Center. Via press release:

Richard Burns, Executive Director of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center in New York City, has announced his departure from the Center. The longest serving leader of an LGBT organization in the United States, Mr. Burns has served as Executive Director since December 1, 1986. Mr. Burns has accepted the position of Chief Operating Officer at The Arcus Foundation, and will leave the Center in early February, 2009.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2008, the Center has grown to become the largest LGBT multi-service organization on the East Coast and second largest LGBT community center in the world. Every week, 6,000 people visit the Center, and more than 300 groups meet here. The Center has four programmatic departments: Adult Mental Health and Social Services (including Center CARE and Center CARE Recovery); Youth Enrichment Services (YES); Cultural Programs; and Advocacy. The Center offers programs and activities that provide adult and youth counseling, social services and referrals, educational forums, advocacy, community organizing opportunities, coalition building projects, leadership development workshops, and cultural programs.

Congratulations are due Richard Burns for building the NYC LGBT Center into the invaluable community resource it has become for queer New Yorkers. A search for Burns' replacement is underway.