Tan is a local area pharmacist that was himself a refugee that immigrated to the US in 1989. The youngest at the time, his 3 older brothers and mother took the long trek from war torn Vietnam to land in Cleveland OH.

He got his PharmD from the University of Toledo in 2011 and moved out to sunny San Diego in 2016. His previous volunteer work includes leading college students in a monthly service learning experience through Americorps at places such as Ronald McDonald Charities making food for families with kids at the hospital, Josina Lott residential facility for those with disabilities in Toledo, OH and Cherry Street Mission serving the homeless. 

More recently he has dedicated his volunteer hours to student pharmacists and to the free local health events they hold. Tan hopes to be able to give back to the community more so by being involved with Casa de Luz.

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Jack Nooren immigrated to the United States from Holland in 1989 at the age of 19. After building a successful career in real estate, he relocated from the Midwest to California in 2008.

Throughout his life, Jack has been deeply involved in supporting nonprofit organizations. His contributions include work with the Red Cross, Pathways Behavioral Services (a drug and alcohol treatment center), YWCA, Lions Club, Sports for Exceptional Athletes, and many other charitable initiatives.

In 2020, Jack became actively involved with Casa De Luz in Tijuana, where he assumed a leadership role focused on ensuring the program’s sustainability. He established a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the United States to support fundraising efforts and acquired the property that now serves as Casa De Luz’s shelter.

Jack’s passion for advocating on behalf of LGBTQ+ refugees is evident in his ongoing dedication to the program and his leadership within the organization. He continues to work tirelessly to create a safe and supportive environment for those seeking refuge and hope.

My introduction to the world was January 18, 1957, in Frankfurt, Germany. I was given up for adoption and was incredibly fortunate to be adopted by two loving and compassionate human beings, which I always consider my Mom and Dad. I grew up and in a suburb of San Antonio, Texas, came out as a big homo there and had the time of my life coming out as gay in 1975.

Fast forward, I have lived in NY, LA, and finally ending up in San Diego to take care of my dying Friend Tino Graziano, who died of AIDS, on November 18,1989. It was losing my best friend at that time in the world that I decided in my life that I would do what I could to help raise funds for the organizations that were there to help Tino die with dignity and love. Being Alive was especially compassion in helping with his needs in those days. 

Over the last thirty years, I have proudly served on many boards including the last four San Diego Mayors and co-founded a couple other charity organizations. One being the Rob Benzon Foundation, now called the Rob Benzon/ Dan Ferbal Foundation, and With Nicole Murray Ramirez, re-founded Grocery Hearts a grocery store at Mamas Kitchen, where clients can shop for can goods and fresh food to cook at home themselves.

As I get older and retired from the food and beverage industry, I find myself doing a lot more photography, which I have loved doing for the last thirty years. I am so grateful for my life and all it has afforded me. Every day is a good day to be alive and to be able to past goodness forward.​

My name is Michael Zarbo, a U.S Air Force veteran. I was born and raised in the Philippines. I am a Quality Engineer for the US Space Force. I have been involved in the LGBTQIA community  since 1992. I have been a chair, co-chair of numerous programs of the Imperial Court such as the Easter Egg Hunt, Scott Carlson Community Dinner and Tijuana AIDS Fund to name a few and recently a committee member of the Harvey Milk Breakfast.

I have an alter ego, Lala Too. I am twice elected Golden Dragon Empress XXXIII and LI of the Imperial Court de San Diego. My alter ego performs locally to raise money for charity.

As a board member I offer myself as a tool to be able to raise awareness and to raise funds needed for Casa de Luz. I am willing to work with the board and the community.

After moving to San Diego from Switzerland in 1998, Markus broke into the construction industry and secured his state contractor's license and opened a custom cabinetry shop. Shortly thereafter he introduced a German cabinet line to San Diego and became an exclusive dealership.

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Make sure to check out Studio Europa for beautiful designs.

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Michael Albo is Vice Chair and Clinical Professor in the Department of Urology at the University of California, San Diego where he has been on faculty since 1996.  He graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1983 with a BA in Preprofessional Studies.  He earned his medical degree in 1988 from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, completed a residency in Urology in 1994 at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville and a fellowship in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery in 1996 at the University of California. 

After graduating from Notre Dame, Dr. Albo volunteered with the Holy Cross Associates working as a Program Coordinator at the Eden Youth Center, a community-based organization for underserved youth in the East Bay.  The year between his residency and fellowship, he volunteered at a small hospital in the city Solala, Guatemala, to bring urologic care to the surrounding farming villages and then volunteered at the McCormick Hospital in Chiang Mai, Thailand. 

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Ed is a retiree who is especially interested in tracking, documenting and presenting the benefits of thoughtful planned immigration and what it provides to our country. He also volunteers for Elderhelp of San Diego, Promises to Kids and is a certified Ombudsman for the state of California Long term Care and Skilled Nursing Facilities acting as a resident advocate.

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Javier Gómez is the Director of Global Affairs for Mayor Todd Gloria at the City of San Diego. As a six-year member of Gloria's assembly office and key member of his mayoral campaign, Gómez has been a vital part of Gloria’s Administration. In his previous work within the assembly office, Gómez organized community outreach events within Assembly District 78, supervised various communities and led on priority issues including homelessness, immigration, and LGBTQ issues. As the Field Director, he led the city-wide grassroots efforts for Gloria's mayoral campaign and successfully built a robust field program powered by hundreds of volunteers that assisted in sealing Gloria's historic victory.

A first-generation college graduate, Javier earned his Bachelor of Science in Political Science from San Diego State University. There, he served as the Vice President of External Relations, President of Phi Gamma Delta, Representative of the California State Student Association, Representative on the College Area Community Council, and a member of Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity. Javier grew up in Ventura County where his parents, two sisters, and brother currently reside. Gómez currently serves on the Board of Democrats for Equality, he sits as a Board of Director for the San Diego Leadership Alliance, and is a state wide representative for the CA Democratic Party. In his free time, he enjoys sailing, playing tennis, hiking, skiing and frequenting the theater.

Ed is a licensed physician, trained in Internal Medicine, Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine who currently works in the design, conduct and pharmacovigilance of phase 1, 2 and phase 3 clinical studies for the development of new medications.  He currently is working on drug development for the conditions of pulmonary arterial hypertension, pulmonary fibrosis, and COVID-19.

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Dr. Parsley has over 30 years of experience at the bedside in the care of patients, and spent 20 years teaching at the University of Texas, Houston.  His experience there was as a director of medical ICU and respiratory care services at Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Texas Medical Center. His leadership experience there resulted in award winning patient care and safety advances.

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Ed also is the owner and a practitioner at Aesthetica Med Spa and Wellness Clinic of San Diego, a full service medical spa for men and women, including providing services for the gay and trans population in San Diego.

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Parsley has served in the past as a board member at Legacy Community Health, a full-service, Federally Qualified Health Center, Legacy identifies unmet needs and gaps in health-related services and develops client-centered programs to address those needs. A United Way-affiliated agency since 1990, we currently provide adult primary care, pediatrics, dental care, vision services, behavioral health services, OB/GYN and maternity, vaccinations and immunizations, health promotion and community outreach, wellness and nutrition, and comprehensive HIV/AIDS care.

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Ed has Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery degree from Oklahoma State University, and performed residency and fellowship training at the University of Texas, Houston.  He holds a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy degree, and worked as a pharmacist prior to medical school.

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Moe Girton is the GM and Owner of Gossip Grill and Barrel & Board. She has been working in
and for this community for 24 years. Moe’s mission is to provide a safe and fun environment for
Women and the LGBTQ+ community. She has won numerous Nicky awards including business
woman of the year and has been acknowledged by San Diego Business Journal for being the
top 50 leaders in the LGBTQ+ community twice. Moe was the recipient of the Stonewall award
and grand Marshall in 2021 and has been recognized by our State Senator Toni Atkins and
Many media outlets for her work in the Hillcrest community.