Inside Lyon-Martin’s Donor & Community Appreciation Gathering

On Saturday, May 2, Lyon-Martin Community Health Services welcomed community members, artists, donors, elected officials, and longtime supporters into our future clinic space for a special donor and community appreciation gathering.

For one night, before construction begins, the unfinished warehouse space transformed into a living celebration of community care, queer and trans creativity, collective history, and the future of for us, by us, peer-led healthcare.

The evening was an opportunity to honor the many people who made this next chapter possible while also inviting community into the future vision for Lyon-Martin.

From ceremony and performances to shared meals and storytelling, the night reflected what Lyon-Martin has always represented: healthcare rooted in dignity, community accountability, visibility, and care.

Honoring the History of the Space

225 Valencia Street carries deep cultural and community history.

As guests gathered inside the future clinic site, the evening created space not only to celebrate what’s ahead, but also to acknowledge the generations of organizing, care, and cultural work that came before us.

The program opened with remarks from Lyon-Martin leadership and community partners, grounding the night in gratitude and collective vision.

An opening prayer by Landa Lakes followed by ceremony from Xiuhcoatl Danza Azteca helped establish a powerful sense of intention and spiritual grounding for the space in its history as the previous site of the American Indian Cultural Center before its next transformation begins.

Throughout the evening, guests were invited to imagine what this building will become: a long-term home for affirming, trauma-informed, trans-led, community-rooted healthcare.

A Night of Artists, Music & Community

The evening featured an incredible lineup of queer, trans, and nonbinary artists and performers in collaboration with Oaklash.

Hosted by Honey Mahogany, the night included performances by Kochina Rude, Mama Celeste, Nico & Pangaea, Aroma, and Mojo Carter, alongside DJ sets by Beverly Chills and Charles Hawthorne.

Guests also enjoyed Palestinian catering by Mama Lamees in collaboration with La Cocina, specialty cocktails inspired by queer and trans community culture, and a commemorative keepsake from Lyon-Martin.

Together, the performances, music, and energy throughout the night transformed the unfinished space into something alive, joyful, and deeply communal.

Thank You to Our Sponsors & Community Partners

This evening would not have been possible without the incredible generosity, collaboration, and care of our sponsors, partners, artists, volunteers, and vendors.

We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who helped bring this gathering to life.

Thank you for helping us create a night rooted in joy, visibility, and collective care.

Capital Campaign Update

Standing together inside 225 Valencia Street offered a glimpse of what Lyon-Martin's future can look like.

After years of planning, fundraising, and community support, Lyon-Martin is preparing to begin a 12-month construction project in July 2026, with plans to move into the new clinic in Summer 2027.

The construction phase is fully funded thanks to the generosity of donors, lenders, and community partners who believe in the future of affirming, community-led healthcare. Their support has brought us to a pivotal moment and made it possible to begin transforming the space into a permanent home for Lyon-Martin.

Our work continues as we raise funds toward the long-term acquisition of the building. Ongoing support will help strengthen Lyon-Martin's future, support loan repayment, and move us closer to owning the space outright.

For nearly 50 years, Lyon-Martin has grown because communities invested in one another. This next chapter is no different. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has helped bring us to this moment and excited for what comes next.