David Kilmnick, PhD, MSW has more than 23 years of experience working on behalf of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities to end homophobia and transphobia, provide a home and a safe space for the community and advocate for equality under the law.
David founded Long Island Gay and Lesbian Youth (LIGALY) in 1993 and has led the organization through growing and developing substantially in its 22-year history including the purchase of the first LGBT community center on Long Island. The most significant growth was in 2005 when David established The LGBT Network (The Network) to expand services for Long Island’s LGBT community throughout the lifespan. The Network included two other new organizations – the Long Island LGBT Community Center (The Center) for adults and families, and Services and Advocacy for LGBT Elders – Long Island (SAGE-LI) for seniors so that LGBT Long Islanders of all ages have access to needed programs and services. In 2015 LGBT Network expanded its services into Queens, NY with the opening of the Queens LGBT Community Center.
Today, David is the Chief Executive Officer of The Network that serves tens of thousands annually, reaches an additional 80,000 through education and outreach and employs 30 full-time staff members in four Community Centers located in Woodbury, Bay Shore, Patchogue, Sag Harbor, and Queens. The Network in the fall of 2014 announced the first ever affordable housing in the New York tri-state area for LGBT and LGBT friendly seniors in Bay Shore and expanded its service region to include Queens County. With an annual budget of over $3.5 million, The Network service region includes over 6 million people that spans the entire length of the Long Island Expressway from the Midtown Tunnel to Montauk.