Dining Out for Life at 20: Kenyatta Parker on Food, Community, and Lifesaving Care
By Cesar A Reyes
Dining Out for Life San Diego has always been rooted in a simple idea: that a meal can mean more. For 20 years, the annual event has invited people across the county to pull up a chair at their favorite restaurants and turn a night out into something that directly supports their neighbors. A portion of each bill goes to The San Diego LGBT Community Center, funding health and wellness programs that reach thousands of people every year. It’s community care woven into something as familiar—and joyful—as dining out.
At the heart of it all is The Center, a cornerstone of LGBTQ+ life in San Diego and a critical provider of HIV services and prevention. “It’s a fun and easy way for community members to raise money,” says Kenyatta Parker, Director of Sexual Health and Wellness at The Center. “And the best part is the funds stay right here in San Diego.” That local impact matters. More than 14,000 people in the region are living with HIV, and LGBTQ+ individuals continue to be disproportionately affected by new diagnoses. At the same time, federal funding for HIV prevention is shrinking, putting even more pressure on community-based organizations to fill the gap.
Dining Out for Life helps make that possible. The money raised supports a wide range of services that extend far beyond a single program or department. HIV care is integrated throughout The Center—whether someone is seeking testing, navigating a new diagnosis, or looking for community and support. A person might walk in for an HIV test at a youth center and leave with prevention tools and education. Someone newly diagnosed might find counseling through Behavioral Health Services. Others connect through support groups offered in Senior Services or Latin@x Services. “When folks come to The Center, they get whole person care,” Kenyatta explains. “It’s not just about one service—it’s about making sure people feel supported in every part of their lives.”
That approach is especially important right now. As resources tighten nationwide, The Center continues to offer HIV services and prevention programs free of charge to the community. It’s a commitment that requires sustained support—and that’s exactly where Dining Out for Life steps in. What sets the event apart is how accessible it is. There’s no ticket to buy, no gala to attend. Participation can be as simple as choosing a participating restaurant and sharing a meal with friends, family, or even just yourself.
Over the years, the impact has shown up in both big and quiet ways. Increased awareness around prevention tools like PrEP is one example. “We’ve seen more people come in for PrEP navigation,” Kenyatta says, referring to the process of helping individuals access and understand the medication. “We love letting people know about all their options.” Those options continue to grow—PrEP is now available as a daily pill or as long-acting injections, with even more advancements on the horizon. When taken as prescribed, it can prevent HIV transmission, making education and access critical pieces of the puzzle.
Dining Out for Life also supports long-term efforts like the BeTheGeneration campaign, which has spent more than a decade working toward a bold goal: reducing new HIV transmissions in San Diego County to zero. Progress has been made, but the work isn’t finished. “We still have work to do,” Kenyatta says. “This is a crucial moment in HIV prevention.”
That urgency is balanced by something else the event has always carried: hope. There’s something powerful about the collective nature of it and that thousands of small, everyday choices can add up to real change. One dinner becomes hundreds, then thousands, each one contributing to services that save lives, reduce stigma, and build a stronger, more connected community.
As Dining Out for Life marks its 20th year in San Diego, its purpose feels clearer than ever. It’s not just about raising funds—it’s about sustaining a network of care that meets people where they are, without judgment, and often at no cost. It’s about making sure that someone, somewhere in the city, can walk through The Center’s doors and find what they need.
If there’s a word that captures the spirit of the event after two decades, Kenyatta offers one without hesitation: “The WORD is EMPOWERMENT.” Because at its core, Dining Out for Life is about giving a community the tools and the opportunity to take care of its own.