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History
The following text is
quoted from the February 1995 issue of the
DeFrank Center News. The legacy of William
Price (1936-1980) is humbling,
inspirational, entertaining and a call to
action for our community to continue his
important work.
Who was Billy DeFrank?
 As a drag entertainer and Court
participant, Billy DeFrank was loved and
appreciated by members of our
community.
The
following is an excerpt of a letter
written to the Lambda News shortly
after Billy's passing:
…those who knew Billy
will understand you never just met Billy,
he had a pocket full of show biz wherever
he went. He was everybody's
entertainer—he didn't need a
spotlight or stage—he just walked
into a room and his incredibly free spirit
would reach out to everyone…
“He was an entertainer; a
teacher; a leader; a good friend and a
champion of gay freedom. You never had a
doubt he cared; if there was a need he
would be there, one way or another. He
showered gay California with his love. Of
the many people you meet in passing at the
bars or other places we congregate, few
among them will ever sacrifice their good
time to help achieve social progress for
their fellows. Few will be so honored by
this tough of magic Billy had.” — Goldie
Montana.
 When the Billy DeFrank
Lesbian and Gay Community Center opened
its doors on March 1, 1981, its first
visitors entered more than just a
building. They crossed the threshold to a
new era of possibility for the gay and
lesbian community of the South Bay, and
they celebrated an important victory. A
year earlier, the DeFrank Center's
founders had watched with concern as Santa
Clara County residents voted to repeal
ordinances extending housing and
employment protections to lesbians and gay
men. The new Center emerged from a desire
to respond to this setback. Since then,
the DeFrank Center has continued to
inspire purposeful action and ensure a
safe place to gather for all in our
community.
Almost two decades have
passed since those modest beginnings in a
storefront on Keyes Street in San Jose.
Today the Billy DeFrank Center serves a
large and diverse community. Lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgender people of all
ages and backgrounds find resources here
that are not available elsewhere. Each
month over a thousand people visit the
DeFrank Center's current quarters on
Stockton Avenue, and many more call the
switchboard. From as far north as Foster
City and as far south as Gilroy, people
visit and call seeking information,
support and services. What they find is a
broad array of opportunities and programs,
a dedicated and caring staff and corps of
volunteers, and a spirit of community that
celebrates the many facets of our
broad-based constituency.
While the DeFrank Center's
history is only a little more than half
the age of the Stonewall events, our
movement is fueled by the events of that
time. William Price knew it. We continue
to fight for our rights, advance liberty
and justice for all and provide
opportunities for positive social
identification. The DeFrank Center is
“A place to call
home.”
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A Snapshot of DeFrank
History
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1981 -
Center Opens on Keyes Street in
south downtown San Jose. Services
in this 2-room storefront
included the switchboard, hotline
and counseling. Many sweet
moments were had at the donut
shop next door.
1985 - Double the space,
double the fun! And double the
rent. A big leap to take for a
growing community. The Center
moves to Park Avenue in San Jose.
Moonstruck Library is established
and the Acorn Club, a monthly
donor program gets started.
1986 - Sisterspirit
Bookstore becomes a tenant of The
Center. The Center begins
sponsoring the Lesbian, Gay, and
Bisexual Awareness Program, one
of more than a dozen umbrella
groups. The umbrella program
serves to help our community
build capacity to meet the varied
and diverse needs of our rainbow
community.
1988 - “Isn't It
Romantic,” first major annual
fundraiser. Remember “A Night on
the Mississippi Queen” or a
return to “Camelot” at the
Mediterranean Ballroom.
1990 - The Center doubles
in size AGAIN with the move to
175 Stockton Avenue.
1991 - The Center receives
1st place award for float in the
annual San Jose Gay Pride
Parade.
1993 - The Center begins
advertising its Youth program in
county High Schools. Many
individuals donated to help make
this campaign a success.
1994 - The Center becomes
a United Way of Santa Clara
County member agency marking a
significant place in queer
history in Santa Clara
County.
1995 - The last issue of
the DeFrank News was sent to
members in a “plain brown
envelope.” Members surveyed
agreed that folding was good
enough.
1996 - Weekday hours of
operation doubled. The first
youth program ad runs in Gilroy
High School newspaper despite
opposition.
1997 - “Prayers for
Bobby;” Rainbow Women's Chorus
emerges at DeFrank Center
anniversary event.
1998 - Hours increase to
12:00pm-10:00pm weekdays. First
Santa Clara County funding
received. Increased to 10
full-time staff.
1999 - Launched $5.5
million dollar capital campaign
to relocate onto The Alameda.
2002 - Patrick Soricone is
hired as Executive Director to
build the infrastructure for the
future renovated building based
on the success of the capital
campaign and the San Jose
Redevelopment Agency.
2003 - Starts doing
business as the Billy DeFrank
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and
Trangender Community Center.
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