Vertez Burks

Vertez Burks was another newcomer to San Diego in 1985, when she arrived to spend a summer vacation. Now, 20 years later, Burks says she still feels like it is summer vacation, but she also feels she’s made a home for herself here. “I walked into The Center, behind the Brass Rail, my life has never been the same. I was welcomed with open arms,” she said. Burks obviously decided to give back to the community that liberated her from “the darkness and loneliness of the closet.” Because since then, she’s been involved with The Names Project, Lesbian Community Cultural Arts, Lesbians and Gays of African Descent United, Pride, Life Lobby … the list goes on. “I have tried some of the things that were on my list. I have not finished, nor have I done half of what is there, but I consider myself blessed and honored that someone noticed the little that I have done,” Burks says.