Billy DeFrank was the stage name of William Price (1936-1986), an African-American drag entertainer and gay rights activist from San Jose, California. He is eponym for San Jose's Billy DeFrank Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center.

The Billy DeFrank Lesbian and Gay 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 gay and lesbian community of the South Bay, and they celebrated an important victory. Since then, the DeFrank Center has continued to inspire purposeful action and ensure a safe place to gather for all in our community.

More than two 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 people of all ages and backgrounds find resources at the Center that are not available elsewhere.

Each month over a thousand people visit us at our current quarters on The Alameda, and many more call our Information & Resources telephone number. From as far north as Foster City and as far south as Gilroy, people visit and call seeking information, support and services.

Our mission is to provide a broad array of opportunities and programs, a dedicated and caring staff, a corps of volunteers, and a spirit of community that celebrates the many facets of our broad-based Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender constituency.

While the DeFrank Center's history is only a little more than half the age of the Stonewall events, our movement is fueled by the events of that time. William Price (Billy DeFrank) knew it and his legacy remains a call to action for our community to continue his important work. We continue to fight for our rights, advance liberty and justice for all and provide opportunities for positive social identification. The DeFrank Center is "a place to call home."