Memorial Care

90 ORANGE COAST • June 2022

PRIDE

Executive director of The LGBTQ Center Orange County

The Center celebrated its 50th anniversary last year. Tell us a bit about that history. JWe were founded in 1971, just two years a er the Stonewall riots that kicked o the LGBTQ movement in this country. People are surprised to hear that the Center is the fourth oldest in the country. We were formed just a er the ones in New York, San Francisco, and L.A. And that was because back in the day, Laguna Beach was a real hub for the community—a safe space in conservative Orange County.

How has the organization evolved over the years? JOur mission has been steadfast; we advocate on behalf of the queer community. What has changed is what that advocacy looks like. In the beginning, it was lesbians and gays trying to have jobs and families and rights. Now our advocacy for the most marginalized people looks like LGBTQ seniors who need help because they want their partners to be able to visit them in assisted-living facilities; trans people, specifically trans people

of color, whose very safety is our primary concern; or helping students with their Gender-Sexuality Alliance clubs. We’re in 50 middle and high schools in O.C. People think, “Oh it’s OK to be queer now; young people have it so easy.” Not the case.

What are some of the other services you o er? Another big one is our health counseling program. We conduct more than 7,000 sessions a year, in multiple languages and on a sliding scale so that no one is ever turned away. The need for these services is at an all-time high, up 40 percent from last year, which was in itself a record year. We also o er overall health and wellness services in the areas of STI (sexually transmi ed infection) and HIV testing, tobacco cessation, and substance use prevention. And a program that many people don’t know we o er is immigration resources. Asylumseekers leave their home countries because they are being persecuted and they come here looking for a be er life, o en finding themselves in ICE detention. We help them with housing, transportation, mental health services, and more.

How has the LGBTQ community in O.C. changed since you moved here in the ’90s? Overall, it’s changed for the be er. Our allyship within the greater community of Orange County has been be er. It’s easier to be LGBTQ in Orange County. But that has also made it less necessary to have those gathering spots in Laguna Beach and elsewhere, which makes it hard to find the community. So it’s more mainstream, which is good, but for those most marginalized folks, it’s hard for them to find that community. And that’s where the center comes in. A lot of people think we’ve progressed so much, why do we still need LGBTQ centers? The fact is, because we’ve progressed so much, more and more people are coming out every year. And many of them are not met with acceptance from their families and communities. We meet them where they are.

BO RUBERG

Associate professor of film and media studies at UC Irvine The author of “The Queer Games Avant-Garde: How LGBTQ Game Makers Are Reimagining the Medium of Video Games” won the Stonewall Book Award for nonfiction in 2021.

Queer games can be video games that have LGBTQ content in them—so that might be LGBTQ characters, story lines, romance lines. Also, video games that are made by LGBTQ people. We might also say that queer games are games that give us a chance to challenge and reconsider our culture’s normal ideas about gender and sexuality. Some of them can be very experimental. One of my favorites is called “Octodad,” where you are playing as a bright yellow octopus in a business suit. You have a wife and kids, and you have to pretend that you are a normal human dad. You succeed in the game by walking around and not knocking over too many things and not getting noticed. It seems fun and ridiculous. But if you look for the meaning below the surface, you can see that it’s actually about trying to pass. You’re trying to look like you are a white, straight, cisgender dad who is trying to navigate this world that is not meant for you in a body that doesn’t fi t. It becomes a queer and trans story through the metaphor of this octopus.

PRIDE

President and director of operations at OC Pride Presented by SDCCU

Tell us about the parade and festival. JIt’s always been a smaller Pride, but in 2019 we blew up. We hit about 30,000 a endees, and it kind of shot us into the bigger Pride arena. I sit around all the time trying to figure out why that happened in 2019; as far as I can tell, it was just kind of the perfect moment, the perfect time in history. The need is obviously there, the community is becoming more visible. This is a 100 percent volunteer-run organization; the volunteers sta the entire festival.

What other events do you host? JWe try to do a really wide range throughout the year. Anything from catering to the youth, such as painting in the park or family picnics, and then we do a lot of adult events including drag bingos; Bearlesque, where it’s gentlemen burlesque dancers; the Closet Ball, where we take seasoned drag performers and people who have never done drag before and we put on a big drag show. We try to do at least a monthly event; we’re Pride 365, which means that you’re working all year long to do events for the community. Some Prides only throw the Pride festival every year.

Why are pride events so important to the community? JThrowing the festival itself is amazing because it provides a space (for the LGBTQ community). To be surrounded by people who are like you just gives you this sense of belonging. We keep it free because we want the teenagers to be able to come as well. A lot of us were gay teenagers who couldn’t a ord to get into Pride, and we really wanted to be there. There’s not a single event or festival that I’ve thrown that somebody doesn’t jump into my arms crying and thanking me. And that’s why we do it—for those moments, for those people. You can just see it in their eyes how much this meant to them. It just gives you the chills all over and you say, “OK, this is why I work so hard all year.”

PRIDE

Founder and president of Operation Warm Wishes

Why did you start your nonprofit? JI started Operation Warm Wishes 15 years ago because of my own struggles. Growing up, I was homeless for a couple years, living in various motels around Orange County. I didn’t fit in as a teenager and I was bullied a lot. Being Christian and gay, people told me I couldn’t do the things I wanted to do; but all I wanted to do was serve and make a di erence. I want to give hope to people who are told they don’t ma er or that they can’t do something. When I was experiencing some tough times in my youth and early 20s, I asked God, “Why am I going through all of this?” At first, I didn’t really understand it, but now it all makes sense. The people who I’m helping are experiencing a lot of the same things I have. I believe it all served its purpose.

What services does your nonprofit provide? JWe provide food, clothing, housing, laundry services, and mentorship programs. When we first started, we were only in Tustin, but now we’re all over Southern California. We don’t care who you are or where you’re at in your life, we’re going to help you. Have you faced challenges because of your sexuality? JYes, especially at the beginning. In 2010, I was crowned Mr. Gay Orange County. I used that platform to further what I was doing. I was in the newspaper for the events I was throwing, and some people would sign up and o er to help, but a er finding out I’m gay they would call and say things like, “We don’t really believe in your lifestyle, so we won’t be helping you.” What lifestyle am I living? I’m helping people, and I just happen to be gay.

What makes your work fulfilling? JKnowing that seeds have been planted. It’s not only the homeless or those in

need who are ge ing help; a lot of times it’s the volunteers who are receiving a lesson of love and kindness. Many people who volunteer for the first time with Operation Warm Wishes didn’t previously have a passion to serve, but now they’re starting their own organizations and are doing big things.

Any events this month? Yes, we’re having a Father’s Day event for homeless dads. We’re giving the guys a day at a golf club where they can golf and bond with each other. Our homeless men are the ones who can feel especially low and need encouragement, so I want to make sure they get that.

CASEY JOHNSON

President of the Orange County Lavender Bar Association Celebrating its 12th year, the OCLBA is an a iliate organization of the Orange County Bar Association.

We are the longest-running LGBTQ legal organization in Orange County, and there are three things that we do primarily. First is visibility—letting people know that there is an active and vibrant LGBTQ community within the bar here in Orange County. Also to educate our members about LGBTQ issues locally, statewide, and nationally. And lastly, networking and giving people the opportunity to come together and share their experiences. We have a few marquee events we do yearly, such as the Harvey Milk Day Luncheon where we’ll have a guest speaker to get us up to date on LGBTQ legislation. I suspect the focus this year will be on upcoming decisions the Supreme Court will be making, as well as the increased wave of anti-LGBTQ legislation. But our purpose is really to provide a safe place. To let law students see people in the law community who are out and proud. To show that you can be your true and authentic self in your professional career here in Orange County.

PRIDE

President and chairman of the Orange County Gay Men’s Chorus

Tell us about the history of the OCGMC. JThis is our 21st year. It was started as an opportunity for gay men to network and have a musical home and also to entertain and educate Orange County. Twenty years ago, the environment was not as receptive to a gay organization. But we persevered and became what we are today, which is a well-known group locally and even nationally.

Do you also sing? JYes, I sing bass. We’re the foundation of the group. Every section has a very high opinion of themselves, and we’re no exception. My involvement began in 2018 when I moved here from Michigan. I had sung with groups there, and when I found this group I couldn’t wait to join. I got deeply involved and was elected president and chairman of the board in 2019. I don’t do anything in a small way.

Why is the group so important to you? JThe gay community in Orange County is quite fragmented. To find a community where a person can be themselves is an important thing. There’s something about choral music that brings people together, and it provides a strong bonding opportunity for these men. When male voices merge, they multiply all on their own. The world melts away and you’re one voice. We rehearse every week, and we have a great artistic director, Bob Gunn. Though the chorus is in the spotlight, it’s much bigger than that. We provide a safe haven for our members and give back as much as possible to O.C. We just kicked o a senior outreach project in partnership with the LGBTQ Center OC. We reach out to single gay seniors and provide wellness checks, get them pen pals and free tickets to our concerts.

Where can people see you perform next? JWe’ll be singing the national anthem at the O.C. Soccer Club’s Pride event on June 4. And we have a concert on July 16 focused on modern queer performers and composers. It will pull from today’s pop music with a few throwbacks. We hope to emphasize how we’re part of America and part of this community.

PRIDE EVENTS

JUNE 25 PRIDE FESTIVAL

Santa Ana prideoc.com

JULY 16 MENALIVE: “I AM AMERICA”

Irvine Barclay Theater

ocgmc.org

AUGUST 6 LAGUNA BEACH PRIDE 365 FESTIVAL

Laguna Beach

lagunabeachpride.org

AUGUST 26 CLEXACON - LGBTQ MEDIA CONVENTION

Anaheim

clexacon.com

SEPTEMBER 16 THROUGH 18 GAY DAYS AT DISNEYLAND

Anaheim

gaydaysanaheim.com Executive director and CEO of

Radiant Health Centers

How long has your organization provided health and HIV care to the O.C. LGBTQ community? JWe were founded in 1985 by a group of volunteers who had seen friends, family members, and neighbors dying of this strange new disease, which was HIV. In that first decade, there wasn’t great treatment. So really our focus was helping people die with dignity. In 1995, when new medications came out, suddenly there was hope. Our focus became helping people get treatment.

What services did you develop to help achieve that goal? J We built out housing and transportation services, nutrition support, mental health counseling, anything to help folks with their treatment. And then a er that, we really wanted to focus on HIV prevention through testing and outreach in the community. The highest rates of infection were in communities of color. But it wasn’t a lack of education. What was lacking was access to appropriate healthcare. There was a survey done and providers were asked, “Are you comfortable serving members of the LGBTQ+ community?” And 78 percent said, “yes.” Now, that doesn’t sound bad. But the next question was, “Do you feel you lack the training to serve the LGBTQ+ community?” And 70 percent said, “yes.”

What does the organization look like today? We continue to provide the full continuum of support for HIV, but we also provide medical care, screenings, family planning services, and our ultimate goal is to end this epidemic. The only way to do that is to address the inequities in healthcare. I first got involved here as a volunteer (in 1993) because a family friend, a young man 30 years old, had suddenly passed away from HIV. And his family had to deal with it alone. As a gay man, HIV had a major e ect on my community. I made it my life’s work to do everything to help those with HIV.

SARAH DELGADO

Assistant general manager of Tin Lizzie Saloon The Costa Mesa establishment is one of the longest-running gay bars in Orange County.

This bar has been here since the ’50s, and I believe it’s been a gay bar since the ’70s. When my friends, the owners of Memphis Cafe, bought it in 2005, the only stipulation the owner had was that it remain a gay bar. I’ve been coming here since I was 21, and I’m 43 now. We’re really a family. There’s such a sense of community here and we welcome everyone. It doesn’t matter if you’re gay, bi, trans, or straight. We’re just a friendly neighborhood/gayborhood watering hole, and our longevity speaks for itself.

PRIDE

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF ALIANZA TRANSLATINX W hat led to you cofounding the organization? JAlianza Translatinx started in April of 2020 and by August of that year we were o icially registered as a nonprofit. We’re under the sponsorship of TransLatina Coalition, which is a national advocacy organization based out of Los Angeles. Alianza Translatinx is the first trans-led organization in Orange County. We address the needs of the local transgender and gender nonconforming community. Our o ice is in Santa Ana. The organization was founded as a response to the lack of services and resources specifically designed to address the large disparities the transgender and gender

President and CEO of Alianza Translatinx

nonconforming community faces here.

How do you tackle those disparities? JDuring the pandemic, we really wanted to assist members of the community who were houseless by providing support, food, and information. The need was exacerbated at the time, but it continues. We provide direct services such as mental health therapy sessions and legal name and gendermarker change supportive services— which means we assist community members (in updating) their legal documentation to re ect their current identity, for free. We also have a social group that meets once a week, and on Fridays we have a collaboration with Second Harvest Food Bank to provide pantry and fresh goods to community members.

Are you also an advocacy organization? JYes, we advocate for the rights of our community members, and we o en partner with organizations to bring awareness to the needs of our community. We have events such as community health fairs, our annual Trans Pride in August, and our TransGiving dinner in November aimed to serve community members who have been displaced from their families.

What does Alianza mean? JIt translates as Alliance. The purpose is to create alliances within our community. Our doors are open to everyone. Our services are available to anyone. But we do focus on the communities that are most vulnerable. Growing up in Orange County, I always felt that this was a very conservative county and there was li le support from local organizations for the trans community. And unfortunately, I continue to see that. While we’re making history in establishing this organization, there’s still a long way to go. Our community members continue to face discrimination and harassment. I continue to see hate crimes. And the only way to change that is working together with other local organizations to make change.

BALBOA FUN ZONE

WHEN: Open daily WHERE: Newport Beach WHY: An Orange County icon since 1936, the Fun Zone features an arcade, Ferris wheel, restaurants, and shops including a recently opened makers market. Local developers acquired the waterfront venue last year and plan to revitalize the classic summer hangout.

MORE HERE:

balboafunzone.com

OC FAIR

WHEN: Wednesdays through Sundays from July 15 through Aug. 14 WHERE: OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa WHY: Even if you don’t want to eat huge portions of fried food, there are plenty of ways to enjoy this annual event: cooking demonstrations, live performances, tablesetting contests, a hypnotist, and baby farm animals are just a few of the options. Advance tickets only; no tickets available at the gate.

MORE HERE:

ocfair.com

FESTIVAL OF ARTS and PAGEANT OF THE MASTERS

WHEN: July 5 through Sept. 2 WHERE: Festival of Arts, Laguna Beach WHY: The Festival of Arts celebrates its 90th anniversary this year. Peruse juried works from more than 100 O.C. artists. This year’s Pageant of the Masters theme, “Wonderful World,” promises to be special as famous art comes to life.

MORE HERE:

foapom.com

LIVE COMEDY AND MUSIC AT SEALEGS

WHEN: Weekly WHERE: 17851 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach WHY: Head to SeaLegs at the Beach for stand-up comedy and music. Past comedians have included Ti any Haddish and Bill Burr. Keep an eye out on the wine bar’s website for upcoming dates and times.

MORE HERE:

sealegsatthebeach.com

FIREWORKS AT NEWPORT DUNES

WHEN: July 4 WHERE: Newport Dunes WHY: Enjoy the largest Independence Day fireworks show in Southern California at the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort. With activities starting at 8 a.m. and running until 10 p.m. there’s something for the whole family.

MORE HERE:

newportdunes.com /event/independenceday-on-the-back-bay

CRYSTAL COVE SHAKE SHACK

WHEN: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily; sunset is packed for good reason WHERE: 7703 E. Coast Highway, Newport Beach WHY: The patio here o ers one of the best ocean views in the county; shakes in 29 flavors make it worth your while to brave the year-round lines. What do you mean you’ve never been?

MORE HERE:

crystalcoveshakeshack.com

SUMMER NATURE DAY CAMPS

Environmental Nature Center

The ENC has o ered nature camps since 1977. Children ages 4 through 13 spend the season outdoors with hands-on activities and weekly themes such as “Nature Detectives” and “Planet Protectors.” Newport Beach, encenter.org/camps/summer

Paci c Marine Mammal Center

Camp Pinniped is open to children ages 8 through 12 who are interested in learning about the operations of a real marine mammal hospital. Laguna Beach, pacificmmc.org/camp-pinniped

City of Anaheim

A Wilderness Survival Camp for kids 12 through 14 years old focuses on the skills such as building shelters, first aid, and archery. The city’s O.A.K.S. Summer Day Camp is open to children ages 5 through 12 and features topics such as trail walks, nature, art, and Native American traditions. Anaheim, anaheim.net/1110/oaks-day-camp

Ocean Institute

Campers ages 5 through 13 are separated into six age groups, from Sea Squirts to Coastal Explorers, to learn about marine life, shipwrecks, and more. There’s also a weeklong Marine Science Careers + Internships Academy for older teens. Dana Point, oceaninstitute.org/summer-camp

The Ecology Center

Open to ages 6 through 12, the two-week Grow-Eat-Make Summer Camp teaches children the fundamentals of farm work and environmental stewardship. The program emphasizes “learn by doing” activities. San Juan Capistrano, theecologycenter.org/program /grow-eat-make-summer-camps

OC PARKS SUMMER CONCERT SERIES

WHEN: Thursdays at 5 p.m., June 23 through Aug. 25 WHERE: Craig Regional Park, Mason Regional Park, Irvine Regional Park, Mile Square Regional Park, and Blu Park at Salt Creek Beach WHY: Free parking, free live music, and a summer evening in the parks are great reasons to meet up with friends. Need more motivation? Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Donavon Frankenreiter, and Uptown Funk are just a few of the performers scheduled this summer.

MORE HERE:

ocparks.com

NEW SWAN SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL

WHEN: Weekends, July 8 through Sept. 3 WHERE: UC Irvine WHY: Getting to sit in the 15-ton, portable, mini-Elizabethan theater is experience enough; watching actors perform “The Comedy of Errrorrs” or “Pericles, Prince of Tyre” for the 10th anniversary season makes the evening sublime.

MORE HERE:

newswanshakespeare.com

SAN CLEMENTE OCEAN FESTIVAL

WHEN: July 16 and 17

WHERE: San Clemente Pier WHY: In its 45th year, the festival known as “The Greatest Show on Surf” returns after a pandemic hiatus. Families and professional athletes flock to the two-day event known for surfing competitions, swimming and running races, an art show, a Woody car exhibit, sand sculptures, free concerts, and more.

MORE HERE:

oceanfestival.org

2022 ORANGE COUNTY

FIVE STAR AWARD WINNERS

These days, it takes a village to manage your financial world. Whether it is managing your assets with a wealth manager, navigating the ever-changing tax landscape, sorting out your estate and succession planning or picking the right life insurance, finding the right team can be a daunting task. In fact, many consumers have a hard time figuring out where to even begin. Sometimes, a few simple questions can put you off on the right path. Asking a professional what makes working with them a unique experience can help you understand how they work and if their style meshes with your own. This is a great place to start! Five Star Professional uses its own proprietary research methodology to name outstanding professionals, then works with publications such as Orange Coast magazine to spread the word about award winners. Each award candidate undergoes a thorough research process (detailed here) before being considered for the final list of award winners. For the complete list of winners, go to www.fivestarprofessional.com.

RESEARCH DISCLOSURES

In order to consider a broad population of high-quality wealth managers and investment professionals, award candidates are identified by one of three sources: firm nomination, peer nomination or prequalification based on industry standing. Self-nominations are not accepted. Orange County-area award candidates were identified using internal and external research data. Candidates do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final lists of Five Star Wealth Managers or Five Star Investment Professionals. • The Five Star award is not indicative of a professional’s future performance. • Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients’ assets. • The inclusion of a professional on the Five Star Wealth Manager list or the Five Star Investment Professional list should not be construed as an endorsement of the professional by Five Star Professional or Orange Coast magazine. • Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager, Five Star Investment Professional or any professional is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected professionals will be awarded this accomplishment by Five Star Professional in the future. • Five Star Professional is not an advisory firm and the content of this article should not be considered financial advice. For more information on the Five Star Wealth Manager or Five Star Investment Professional award programs, research and selection criteria, go to fivestarprofessional.com/research.

FIVE STAR WEALTH MANAGER

DETERMINATION OF AWARD WINNERS CRITERIA Award candidates who satisfied 10 objective eligibility and evaluation criteria were named 2022 Five Star Wealth Managers. Eligibility Criteria – Required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser or a registered investment adviser representative. 2. Actively employed as a credentialed professional in the financial services industry for a minimum of five years. 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review. 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal firm standards. 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation Criteria – Considered: 6. One-year client retention rate. 7. Five-year client retention rate. 8. Noninstitutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered. 9. Number of client households served. 10. Education and professional designations. 2,482 award candidates in the Orange County area were considered for the Five Star Wealth Manager award. 143 (approximately 6% of the award candidates) were named 2022 Five Star Wealth Managers.

FIVE STAR INVESTMENT PROFESSIONAL

DETERMINATION OF AWARD WINNERS CRITERIA The investment professional award goes to estate planning attorneys, insurance agents and select others in the financial industry. Eligibility Criteria – Required: 1. Credentialed with appropriate state or industry licensures. 2. Actively employed as a credentialed professional in the financial services industry for a minimum of five years. 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review. 4. Accepting new clients. Evaluation Criteria – Considered: 5. One-year client retention rate. 6. Five-year client retention rate. 7. Number of client households served. 8. Recent personal production and performance (industry specific criteria). 9. Education and professional designations/industry and board certifications. 10. Pro Bono and community service work. This year, we honored 1 Orange County-area investment professional with the Five Star Investment Professional award.

Wealth Managers

Financial Planning

Lance Parsons Dumas · Cornerstone Financial

Advisers Kristoffer Norman Fu · Maven Bridge Capital Tina Marie Hum · TMH Financial Tracy O. Jackson · Mercer Advisors Page 6 Rod Kamps · Financial Advisors Network Page 5 Jim Michael Moos · Morgan Stanley Stefan Reddrick · Alpha Wealth Partners Page 8

All award winners are listed in this publication.

Todd Allen Rustman · Clarity Capital Partners James A. Shanton · Mercer Advisors Page 6 Louis Basil Windawi · Windawi & Associates

Investments

Randall Lee Allen · Kayne Anderson Rudnick

Wealth Advisors William Beeler · Regal Wealth Group Robert Scott Bluemel · Wells Fargo Advisors Bryce Jacob Bordwell · Wells Fargo Advisors Gina Cereda · Wells Fargo Advisors Page 8 Mark Alan Chandik · FDP Wealth Management Roger Nelson Cregg · Morgan Stanley Frank Andrew Deptola · Frank Deptola &

Associates Annette Di Bello · Di Bello Financial Page 8 John Draper Sr. · Wells Fargo Advisors Page 2 Jeannette Dobbyn · Wells Fargo Advisors Page 7 Derek Draper · Draper Wealth Management Page 2 Thomas Robert Graffeo · Dove Investment

Research & Management Ryan Patrick Hawkins · Wells Fargo Advisors Walt J. Hommerding · Wells Fargo Advisors Page 8 Gary Hutto · HuttoDean Financial

Advisors Page 3 John B. Lyon · Wells Fargo Advisors Page 7 Thomas Leonard McKenzie · McKenzie

Legal & Financial Amber Renee Mears · Wells Fargo Advisors Steve Shatynski · Wells Fargo Advisors Page 7 Scott Paul Smith · JW Cole Advisors Ross Snyer · One Oak Wealth Management Page 4 Mark Alexander Taylorr · Winthrop Taylor

Financial