By Valerie Milano
Photo courtesy of The L-Fund / The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert
Palm Springs, CA (The Hollywood Times) 12/15/25 – An exciting and transformative chapter is unfolding for LGBTQ+ advocacy in the Coachella Valley as The L-Fund and The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert officially announce their merger, uniting two respected organizations with a shared mission of equity, care, and empowerment.
Effective July 1, 2026, the partnership ensures that The L-Fund’s vital programs—supporting cisgender, transgender, and queer-identifying lesbians throughout the Coachella Valley—will not only continue, but expand with greater resources, stability, and reach under The Center’s umbrella.
As a donors and longtime media partners of both The L-Fund and The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert, The Hollywood Times has witnessed firsthand the meaningful impact each organization has made within the community. This merger represents a natural and powerful evolution of their shared commitment to inclusion, advocacy, and direct support services.
The L-Fund’s leadership team will transition alongside the organization, reinforcing continuity and vision. Co-chairs Mei Ling Tom and Robbin Burr will join The Center’s Board of Directors in January, while Dr. Karyl E. Ketchum, a longtime California State University professor of Gender and Sexuality Studies and L-Fund board member, has been named Director of The L-Fund, guiding its next chapter within The Center.
“We are entering a new era,” said Tom, co-chair of The L-Fund’s Board of Directors. “For years, The L-Fund has been driven by passion to uplift cis, trans, and queer-identifying lesbians in need. Now, by merging with The Center, we are amplifying that mission with greater capacity, stability, and a renewed vision.”
Don Zuidema, chair of The Center’s Board of Directors, emphasized the strength of unity in addressing community needs. “By uniting The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert and The L-Fund, we strengthen a shared mission rooted in support, equity, and resilience for our entire community. Together, our combined reach and resources ensure that every person has access to the advocacy, care, and opportunity they deserve.”
Community response to the announcement has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic. Founding members of The L-Fund and longtime supporters gathered at town halls this fall to celebrate the merger and reflect on the organization’s grassroots legacy, while embracing its future growth within The Center.
Recently, Mei Ling Tom, Dr. Karyl E. Ketchum, and Robbin Burr were photographed outside the future office of The L-Fund Director at The Center’s McDonald Wright Building in Palm Springs, a moment symbolizing both continuity and forward momentum.
Together, The L-Fund and The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert are building a stronger, more resilient future for the LGBTQ+ community in the Coachella Valley—one rooted in collaboration, expanded access, and shared purpose.
For more information, visit L-Fund.org or contact info@L-Fund.org.
