Check the calendar for more detailed information. For special events and group information, email fabulous@defrank.org with any questions.

General Inquiries for the Board of Directors: fabulous@defrank.org. 

If you would like to be considered for a position on the Board, you are usually expected to consistently volunteer for the Center for at least six months unless your skills are a crucial part of our work needed at the time. This is to be determined by the Board of Directors. In the meantime please apply to be a volunteer, indicating in the application form that you are interested in joining the Board.

Board meetings are on the third Tuesdays of each month at 6PM.

➡️  Gabrielle Antolovich
       President/CEO
       president@defrank.org
 
➡️  Drew Bertrand

➡️  Kylie Borges
       Secretary

➡️  Jose Guerrero

➡️  Robert Porter
       Treasurer

The Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Community Center opened its doors on March 1, 1981 in a two-room storefront on Keyes St. in south downtown San Jose. 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 DeFrank Center emerged from a desire to respond to this setback. As its first visitors entered they crossed the threshold to a new era of possibility for the LGBTQ+ community of the South Bay, and they celebrated an important victory. Since then, the Billy DeFrank Center has continued to inspire purposeful action and ensure a safe place to gather for all in our community.

More than four decades have passed since those modest beginnings on Keyes St. Today the Billy DeFrank Center serves a large and diverse community. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender and nonbinary people of all ages and backgrounds find the resources they need by connecting with the Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Community Center.

Each week over a thousand people visit us at our current quarters on The Alameda, and many more call our Billy DeFrank Resources telephone number. From as far north as Foster City and as far south as Gilroy, people visit and call seeking information about what is happening at the Billy DeFrank Center, and what LGBTQ+ affirming services are available in the community.

While the DeFrank Center's history is 12 years shorter than the Stonewall events of 1969, our movement is fueled by the events of that time. William Price (a.k.a. Billy DeFrank) was part of the LGBTQ+ activism in the 1970's. He was a popular African American activist who loved everyone. He financially supported many LGBTQ+ organizations and causes via his drag performances as Billy DeFrank. Although he died of a heart attack in 1980, the Billy DeFrank Center embraces his Spirit of Inclusion, Love and Generosity. The DeFrank Center is “a place to call home" as a building with his heart.

Ted Sahl Digital Collection

Some of the photos on this page are attributed to the Ted Sahl Digital Collection and appear courtesy of San Jose State University, Special Collections & Archives. Please contact the Director SJSU Special Collections & Archives for Permission to Publish or to request high resolution copies: 408 808-2061 / Danelle.Moon@sjsu.edu.

http://digitalcollections.sjlibrary.org 
http://www.oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/kt1000257m/ 

The Billy DeFrank Queer Library is the largest in the Bay Area of exclusively LGBTQ+ books with over 5,200 titles in our collection. The Billy DeFrank Queer Library has dedicated volunteers who are available to answer questions and to help you pick out your next book.

If you would like to learn more about the Library or have questions or suggestions for our wonderful Library volunteers, please email library@defrank.org. 

The following information provides an overview of library operating procedures and policies. Please contact library@defrank.org if you have additional questions.

CHECK OUT
To check out books you will need to provide an ID for our records. Books may be checked out for two weeks at a time and renewed once for an additional two weeks. There are no late fees charged per library day for books.  Lost items incur a fine of $20 or the replacement cost of the item, whichever is higher.

AUTHORS & ARTISTS
If you interested in planning an author or artist event in the Library, or displaying your Art, please contact fabulous@defrank.org. 

FOOD AND BEVERAGES
Food and beverages are not permitted in the Library/CyberCenter at any time. Thank you for keeping our facility clean and our books and carpet protected.

FAQ

• DO YOU ACCEPT DONATIONS?
  Although we are close to capacity, please contact fabulous@defrank.org to discuss your book donations
  
  
• WHAT ARE THE LIBRARY’S HOURS?
  Mondays: 6-9PM