The Central Valley's LGBT community now has a place to call home with the opening of a community center in downtown Modesto. Officially named the Stanislaus Pride Center, the facility is the first of its kind to open between Stockton and Bakersfield.

"It is a big step. Having a drop-in center is really important for people to go to when they want to talk to someone or hang out," said Sara Martinez, 29, a lesbian who grew up in Reedley, 25 minutes southeast of Fresno.

Since last fall Martinez has been the Gay-Straight Alliance Network's Central Valley program associate based out of the Fresno office. She hopes the Stanislaus center sparks more such facilities to open in the valley.

"Living in the valley tends to be a little bit harder. We are considered the 'Bible Belt' in California. I don't want to say homophobic, but it can be conservative," she said. "I was happy and surprised when I heard it was opening. It will encourage and bring awareness to the fact other centers are needed in our area."

Located across the street from Modesto's main library, the pride center is housed in a former dental office in the city's cultural district. It's the brick and mortar realization of a project first begun in 2005 by a small group of founding members who wanted a safe meeting place and resource center for the growing number of LGBT residents in the area.

"It's the first time ever in this county there has been a dedicated place for GLBT people to congregate and gather, and for organizations to meet each other and get resources," said Keith Highiet, a center founder and board member. "What is important is there is a platform now for things to happen and the community to have a location to call their own."

Center officials signed a nine-month lease for the space back in November, but only recently began advertising that they had opened. The 600 square foot space is divided into three and half rooms; rent is $1,000 a month.

"It is in a well-lighted, safe, central location. We would like it to be a little bit larger but we are starting with what we can do for now so we at least have a space," said Highiet.

Jimmy Sullivan, who splits his time between San Francisco and San Diego, agreed that wherever LGBT people reside, a central gathering place to build a sense of community is needed. The owner of CitiZen Design Group, Sullivan worked with center officials on how to make the best use of their limited space.

"I think it is absolutely critical there is a place like that, any kind of place or space, for gays and lesbians, especially gay and lesbian youth, to seek information and seek refuge from the world," he said. "They need a spot when there is no where else to go. It's paramount."

While Modesto is home to several gay bars and a gay-owned and welcoming cafe, Highiet said the area needed a place for LGBT people to socialize and organize outside of a bar atmosphere.

"Those are more informal things that are great and good for the community. But also in addition we believe there should be a support center. That is what we got now," he said.

Even before its official opening, news of the center's existence has been spreading through the valley's LGBT community. Within the first four days of the year, 45 people had stopped by to check out the facility.

"We are here to support people from Stanislaus and surrounding counties. We have had people come from Gilroy, Merced, and Stockton," said Steve Nelson, 43, a gay resident of Ripon and the center's volunteer staffing coordinator.

Several groups have already decamped former meeting spaces to make use of the center, the local Imperial Court moved its bingo nights there, and the first-ever gathering of local GSAs occurred last weekend when the center hosted a barbecue for the students to meet and mingle.

The psychology department at California State University at Stanislaus is developing an in-house counseling program it will operate at the center. Center officials are already at work on a fundraiser in May with Judy Tenuta and the county's second Pride event in June.

So far the center has faced little anti-gay sentiment since opening. Nelson said one person, who does not identify himself but does say he is from a local church, has left a few hate messages on the answering machine. The police have asked center staff to keep a log of such calls, but Nelson said he is not alarmed.

"They are not threats. Mostly it is 'You people are going to burn in hell.' Those sorts of non-creative messages," said Nelson. "What are you going to do?"

The center is located at 823 15th Street and is open 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays. For more information, visit http://www.stanislauspridecenter.com or call (209) 338-0855.