by Carol Leish
The Diversity Collective of Ventura County’s (www.diversitycollective.org) mission statement, according to program manager, Joseph Fummers, is: “To advocate and celebrate those in the LGBT community and those affected by AIDS.” The Diversity Collective is the organization of these annual events: Ventura County Pride; AIDS Walk Ventura; and, The Diversity Gala. According to, Joseph, “At our recent Ventura Count Pride: 2,500 people attended; 100 vendors participated; and, we raised $80,000.”
“In 2014, the Diversity Collective, Ventura County, became a nonprofit 501c3,” according to, Joseph. “We give cultural proficiency trainings, and talks about HIV; AIDS; and, about the LGBT community in order to educate and advocate, since there is too much stigma and misinformation within the community.” He also emphasized that, ‘Besides their being males and females, there are also those who are intersex, who are 1.7% of the population, which is as common as those who are redheads.”
These programs include: The Rainbow Umbrella Program, which is for youth between the ages of 13-23, that meets Friday evenings from 5:30-7:30; HIV & AIDS free testing every third Monday of the month; LGBT AL-ANON that meets Sunday mornings at 11:00; and, free counseling: Call Nathan, of the Coalition for Family Harmony at: (712) 624-4447 in order to set up a free counseling session.
Thus, in order to eradicate stereotyping and stigma towards those who are either: LGBT; physically and/or mentally disabled; and/or because of sexism or racism, let’s all realize that becoming more aware makes us all realize that we are all more similar than different.
Diversity Collective, which is located at 2471 Portola Ste. 100, in Ventura, offers various programs. Their phone is (805) 644-LGBT (5428).
