Glennda Testone Named Executive Director Of NYC LGBT Community Center

After a 22 year career, Richard Burns stepped down as executive director of the NYC LGBT Community Center eight months ago. Longtime LGBT and women's activist Glennda Testone has been named to replace him, making her the first woman to take the post.

“At a time when the opportunities and challenges faced by our community are limitless, the Center is a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of LGBT people,” said Testone. “I am honored and excited to lead the Center in providing the kind of thriving, nurturing community that we all want to come home to. It is an ambitious goal, but my commitment to serving the LGBT community, the passion of the people involved and the possibilities for this institution are also limitless.”

NYC's LGBT Center is visited by 8000 people weekly and hosts over 300 community groups. It is the second-largest LGBT center in the world.

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.