In 2024, our cofounders Brian Poth and Nick Vargas were awarded the James Irvine Foundation Award.
This award was achieved through the support of staff and board.
In this series, photographed by Aaron Jay Young, we highlight our board, our staff, and their support systems that make the vital work we do possible.
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One magical day in March, famed photographer Aaron Jay Young transformed The Source LGBT+ Center into an approximation of his own Los Angeles-based photography studio. Aaron has photographed some of the most celebrated queer icons of our decade, and his book Queen debuted this year to huge success.
The James Irvine Leadership Award allowed The Source LGBT+ Center to elevate and celebrate our team in this soulful, poignant, and unconventional way. Cofounders Brian Poth and Nick Vargas were the recipients of this prestigious honor, which celebrates their work, dedication to the community, and innovative approach to improving the lives of Californians.
The truth is, this work takes more than just Brian and Nick. Since 2016, hundreds of individuals have been instrumental in the growth and success of the largest LGBTQ+ center between Los Angeles and Sacramento. Many of them are displayed here tonight. It takes courage to be out and visible in this community. It takes strength to serve every day. And tonight, we celebrate those who have made this important work possible.
This project seeks to illustrate the beauty, resilience, and strength of just some of our LGBTQ+ and allied leaders: founding board members who volunteered countless hours when there was no paid staff, employees whose efforts and life-saving work change the lives of some of our most vulnerable community members, and current board members who steward the organization with expertise, vision, and generosity.
These are faces, stories, and hearts of some of the people who have touched the lives of over 52,000 individuals across Tulare, Kings, and Fresno counties. We hope they inspire you to celebrate the unsung heroes in your lives and to continue supporting the life-saving work of The Source LGBT+ Center. We are so grateful you are here.
Aaron Jay Young
Born in State College, Pennsylvania, Aaron Jay Young is a portrait photographer whose work is a vibrant exploration of the human experience. Inspired by the diverse beauty of individuals, Aaron spent several years capturing iconic moments on RuPaul’s Drag Race and its All-Stars counterpart. Based in Los Angeles and Palm Springs, his studios are where he continues to immortalize the unique essence of his subjects. Aaron's photography book debut, Queen, represents over four years of dedication and creativity. This collection showcases his ability to see beyond the surface, capturing the raw, unfiltered emotions of his subjects. In 2018, Aaron's exhibition "Beautiful Immigrant" spotlighted the portraits of the migrant caravans in Central America, offering a powerful counter-narrative to the media portrayal during President Trump's administration. Aaron has also collaborated with the Anti-Recidivism Coalition and the LGBT Center in Los Angeles on various impactful projects.