Los Angeles Blade, Volume 06, Issue 35, September 02, 2022

(Photo Credit: Jasmyne Cannick)

The mental health crisis among LGBTQ youth is well %&'()*+,*%-./(,.%&*0.1.0(22&3,45*.*+543&+)*+,.'61+7*. ,6*.&(,8&&9.:&3.;(**3.94%0<.$''&3%4+7.,&.3*0*13'6*30.1,.,6*. University of California Santa Cruz, the answer, surprisingly, was no.

The study, published by the American Psychological As0&'41,4&+.*1384*3.,640.)&+,6=.'&)213*%.!>/?@.,**+0.4+.,6*. /1A.$3*1.B.6&)*.,&.&+*.&:.,6*.)&0,.23&73*0045*.'4,4*0.4+. ,6*.C-D-=.D1+.E31+'40'&.B.1+%.#184:&3+41F0.#*+,318.G188*A=.1+. agriculture-rich and conservative region. It found little difference in the mental health outcomes between the two communities.

Overall, according to UC Santa Cruz, 41% of LGBTQ teens reported “clinically-concerning levels” of depressive symptoms. The rate was 10% among all California adolescents.

“Queer teens are not doing well in terms of mental health,” Phil Hammack, the study’s lead author and director of the Sexual and Gender Diversity Laboratory at UC Santa #3(H=.,&8%.,6*.!&0.$+7*8*0./81%*-.I$+%.4,.%&*0+F,.)1,,*3.4:. they live in a well resourced environment.”

The findings come as the Trevor Project, a nonprofit fo'(0*%.&+.!>/?@.A&(,6.0(4'4%*.23*5*+,4&+=.:&(+%.,61,.31,*0. of suicidal thoughts have trended upward among queer A&(+7.2*&28*.&5*3.,6*.810,.,63**.A*130-.$''&3%4+7.,&.4,0. 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health, 45% &:.!>/?@.A&(,6.0*34&(08A.'&+04%*3*%.1,,*)2,4+7.0(4'4%*.4+. ,6*.210,.A*13-

“The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and relentless political attacks during this time period cannot be understated,” said Amit Paley, CEO and executive director of the Trevor Project, in a statement.

In 2022, over 300 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have surfaced in 36 state legislatures, according to the Human Rights Campaign – the largest LGBTQ+ advocacy organization in the U.S. The legislation overwhelmingly targets transgender youth, according to the nonprofit, from blocking participation in sports to baring access to gender-affirming care. Additionally, local school boards have become a hotbed for LGBTQ discrimination, according to advocates.

However, it is generally thought that higher acceptance levels lessen the blow to LGBTQ mental health. In fact, the Trevor Project found LGBTQ youth who believed their school to be affirming reported lower rates of attempting suicide. Hammack’s research calls this way of thinking into

question.

The researchers surveyed 314 teens across the Bay Area and Central Valley between 2015 and 2017. The survey was supplemented with 28 interviews with regional LGBTQ youth leaders and first-hand fieldwork by the researchers.

The research found that youth in the Bay Area saw their community as more supportive of LGBTQ+ people, while those in the Central Valley reported more anti-LGBTQ+ remarks and higher levels of stigma. Yet, researchers found little difference when it came to mental health, leading Hammack to conclude that the safe “bubble” of a highly-resourced community is not enough to buffer against broader anti-LGBTQ stigma.

According to Hammack, it comes down to a matter of ex2*',1,4&+0-.?6&(76.!>/?@.2*&28*.615*.)&3*.3*0&(3'*0.4+.

large urban areas, like San Francisco, they also have more expectations.

IJ*.:&(+%.,61,.4+.,6*./1A.$3*1=.,6&0*.A&(+7.2*&28*.61%. )('6.6476*3.*K2*',1,4&+0.&:.,6*.1%(8,0.1+%.,6*.4+0,4,(,4&+0. in their environment,” Hammack said. “So, they were kind of perpetually disappointed.”

On the flip side, LGBTQ youth in the Central Valley had easier to exceed expectations. Young people in the region were apt to think “it’s getting better” or “it’s better than you may think,” according to Hammack.

Though not included in the research, Hammack believes 0&'418.)*%41.281A*%.1.3&8*.4+.,6*.&(,'&)*-.ID&'418.)*%41. and the internet, in a lot of ways, has created more commonalities among [LGBTQ] youth in both positive and negative ways.”

?6&(76.!>/?@.A&(,6.615*.*104*3.1''*00.,&.0(22&3,.1+%. resources, Hammack said, they also have more ways to find hate and discrimination.

LGBTQ media advocacy group GLAAD analyzed the five major social media platforms – Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and TikTok – in 2022, finding none scored over a 50% for LGBTQ safety, privacy and expression.

Recently, the social media account Libs of TikTok has grabbed headlines for spreading what advocates call anti-LGBTQ hate speech. The account was temporarily suspended from Meta’s Facebook for falsehoods attacking Boston Children’s Hospital’s gender-affirming treatments. As of Friday, Libs of TikTok was still active on Twitter and Facebook.

“Especially in the Central Valley, young people talked a lot about being able to find other people using online methods, and that boosted their mental health and provided some level of social support,” said Hammack. “But, at the same time, there’s also hate speech and lots of negative things that can come your way.”

$''&3%4+7.,&.3*0*13'6*30=.,6*.0,(%A.0(77*0,0.1.+**%.:&3. )&3*.0A0,*)4'.'61+7*0.,&.0(22&3,.A&(,6.4+.>*+*31,4&+. Z, the generation with the largest LGBTQ population. Teens 4+.,6*.0,(%A.180&.014%.,6*A.:&(+%.)*+,18.6*18,6.0*354'*0=. online and in-person support resources and peer social support to be particularly helpful.

Still, Hammack believes the study shows a need to scale up LGBTQ support efforts across society. “We’ve gotta get out of our complacency,” he said.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom last week told reporters gathered at an event for Mobile Homeless Connect at a homeless encampment off the 110 Freeway, when asked 27&-.$2$STAAIAAA$>&)2.8&)$.&$D+&38>2$0#4&932.89$*-7#3?

natorial U.S. Rep. Charles Charlie’ Crist r., he doesn’t like 7-++8#'$8)$3#5#3#)9#$.&$,38'.G'$J#1-7+892)$&11&)#).I$D+&3?

ida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

“I like Charlie Crist and I don’t like bullies. You wanna ask why in my life I don’t like bullies I don’t like people who demean people, I don’t like people who talk down to people. I didn’t like what DeSantis said about Fauci – he 42/$>8'2*3##$H8."$"84I$7-.$.&$92++$'&4#&)#$1#U&32.8<#$ terms because they’re short I mean who the hell raised these guys What kind of people are they ”

Newsom was clearly angered referring to the Florida *&<#3)&3G'$3#423K'$>-38)*$2$924128*)$32++/$#23+8#3$8)$ the week when commenting on Dr. Anthony Fauci’s an)&-)9#4#).$."2.$"#$H2'$'.#118)*$>&H)$25.#3$&<#3$RA$ /#23'$&5$*&<#3)4#).$'#3<89#$8)9+->8)*$&<#3$."3##$>#? cades as director of the National Institute of Allergy and

!"#$%&'$()*#+#'$,&-)./$0#123.4#).$&5$6-7+89$:#2+."$ ;)<83&)4#).2+$:#2+."$08<8'8&)$'#).$&-.$2$)&.89#$=#>)#'? >2/$4&3)8)*$."2.$@AB$C&78+#$D&&>$D298+8./EF#)>&3G'$1#3? '&)2+$>#.28+'$H#3#$1&'.#>$&)$;)<83&)4#).2+$:#2+."$08<8? sion’s website.

According to LADPH, the Mobile Food Facility Official Inspection Reports contained specific personal information including name, driver’s license or identification number , and potentially, date of birth. (5.#3$."8'$#33&3$H2'$>8'9&<#3#>I$;)<83&)4#).2+$:#2+."$ promptly removed the Mobile Food Facility Official In'1#9.8&)$J#1&3.'$."2.$9&).28)#>$1#3'&)2+$8)5&342.8&)$ and attempted to contact those affected, although some could not be reached. ($'1&K#'1#3'&)$3#+2/#>$8)$2$'.2.#4#).I$LM8)9#$."#$8)98? dent, we have reviewed and retrained our workforce on ."#$3#+#<2).$1&+898#'$2)>$13&9#>-3#'$2)>$13&<8>#>$2>>8? tional trainings to prevent future incidents. Public Health

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In-Charge and Permittees.”

!"&'#$H"&$7#+8#<#$."#83$8)5&342.8&)$42/$"2<#$7##)$ 8)9+->#>$92)$9&).29.$-'$2.$."#$;)<83&)4#).2+$:#2+."$08? <8'8&)G'$,-'.&4#3$,2++$,#).#3$2.$N@@@O$PAA?QQQR$.&$>#.#3? 48)#$85$/&-3$1#3'&)2+$8)5&342.8&)$H2'$8)9+->#>$8)$."#$ information that was released. Affected Mobile Food Facility Persons-In-Charge and Permittees would have participated in a Mobile Food Facility Inspection between uly 1, 2020, and uly 29, 2022.

(+."&-*"$6-7+89$:#2+."$>&#'$)&.$"2<#$2)/$8)>892.8&)$ ."2.$2)/$1#3'&)2+$8)5&342.8&)$&5$C&78+#$D&&>$D298+8./$ Persons-In-Charge or Permittees was or may be used for 8>#).8./$."#5.I$%(06:$#)9&-32*#'$2)/&)#$H"&'#$8)5&342? .8&)$H2'$8)9+->#>$.&$.2K#$'.#1'$.&$13&.#9.$2*28)'.$8>#).8./$ theft.

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Infectious Diseases.

LM&4#&)#$)##>'$.&$*327$."2.$+8..+#$#+5$2)>$9"-9K$"84$ across the Potomac,” DeSantis said.

“I mean I know I always had – you know – sit there and '-9K$8.$-1$2)>$.2K#$!3-41G'$>#4&)8V2.8&)$7-.I$)&.$#<? erybody has to act like him. I mean literally I remember *3&H8)*$-1$2)>$5&+K'$H&-+>$"2<#$."#83$4&-."'$H2'"#>$ out with soap if they talked like this,” Newsom said.

“I got four kids- I don’t want these guys being mod#+'I$/#2"$2..29K8)*$%WX!$9&44-)8./I$2..29K8)*$H&4#)I$ I mean this guy’s so extreme – I mean rape and incest J&)$0#M2).8'$.2+K'$27&-.$53##>&4$2)>$2$/&-)*$*83+G'$ raped by her father doesn’t have the right to her own body, to make her own decisions, spare me “freedom” there’s no freedom- there’s no choice so yeah I’m stand8)*$-1$2'$U-'.$2$"-42)$7#8)*$*&.$.&$-'#$."&'#$>&++23'$2)>$ I hope others of you send money to send a message that 2"$85$."2.G'$."#$5-.-3#$&5$."#$>24)$J#1-7+892)$623./$."8'$ country is in real trouble,” the governor added.

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Watch. The average price for self-serve regular gasoline in California is 5.30, which is three cents lower than last week.

The average national price is 3.88, which is fi ve cents lower than a week ago. !"#$2<#32*#$1389#$&5$'#+5?'#3<#$3#*-+23$*2'&+8)#$8)$."#$

Los Angeles-Long Beach area is 5.31 per gallon, which is 5&-3$9#).'$+&H#3$."2)$+2'.$H##KI$YP$9#).'$+&H#3$."2)$+2'.$

month, and 92 cents higher than last year. In San Diego, the average price is 5.27, which is four cents lower than last week, 43 cents lower than last month, and 93 cents higher than last year.

On the Central Coast, the average price is 5.46, which is three cents lower than last week, 34 cents lower than last month and 1.13 higher than last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is 5.19, which is three cents +&H#3$."2)$+2'.$H##KI$Y@$9#).'$+&H#3$."2)$+2'.$4&)."$ and 88 cents higher than a year ago. In Bakersfi eld, the 5.39 average price is seven cents lower than last Thurs-

day, 55 cents lower than last month and 1.05 higher than a year ago today.

L(<#32*#$*2'$1389#'$23#$'.8++$BA$9#).'$2$*2++&)$"8*"#3$ ."2)$."#83$2++?.84#$3#9&3>'$138&3$.&$."8'$/#23I$'&$8.G'$-)? likely they will drop below previous historic levels unless we see pump price drops start accelerating again,” said Auto Club spokesperson Doug Shupe. “The cheapest gas prices in Southern California today are in the 4.60- 4.70 range. To fi nd the cheapest gas price near you, use a tool such as the free AAA Mobile app.”

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Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office deputies 0)).)*('+%&'()*&+?&-./(+*&+/-(01+*>(+01(0+078 *(1+B(1:0-+N&5)*.23+3&*+?>;)./0-L+H>(+%&'()*&+ G((+1(?&1*('+*>0*+*>.)+60)+*>(+7&51*>+/&2)(/8 5*.B(+;(01+*>0*+)*10.3>*+?1.'(+'(9&2)*10*&1)+ >0B(+0))(9:-('+.2+71&2*+&7+*>(+,-022('+,018 (2*>&&'+:5.-'.23+&2+%/O(21;+$B(25(<+02'+ -.P(+-0)*+;(01+B.&-(2/(+:1&P(+&5*+/05).23+-06+ (27&1/(9(2*+*&+:1(0P+5?+02'+'.)?(1)(+*>(+ /&9:0*02*)L

%&'()*&+,&-./(+Q(?01*9(2*+)?&P()6&98 02+@>01&2+G(01+*&-'+*>(+G((+*>0*+0+,1&5'+G&;+ .2+0**(2'02/(+6.*>+*>(+4@*10.3>*+,1.'(=+/&2*.28 3(2*+0**(9?*('+*&+?5)>+?0)*+*>(+?&-./(+-.2(+ )(?010*.23+*>(+*6&+&??&).23+31&5?)+0*+6>./>+ ?&.2*+/&52*(1?1&*()*(1)+)*01*('+*>1&6.23+

F&BL+F0B.2+R(6)&9+-0)*+ 6((P+N&.2('+)(1B./(+?1&B.'(1)+ -(0'.23+&5*1(0/>+.2+(2/09?8 9(2*)+0-&23+*>(+SSE+T1((60;+ #&11.'&1+.2+!$+0)+?01*+&7+0+2(6+ )*0*(8-&/0-+?01*2(1)>.?+*&+>(-?+ ?(&?-(+(A?(1.(2/.23+>&9(8 -())2())+0//())+*>(+1()&51/()+ they need to get off the streets 02'+.2*&+>&5).23+02'+)(1B./()L+ %&:.-(+O&9(-())+#&22(/*+ :1.23)+)*0*(+02'+-&/0-+)(1B./()+ '.1(/*-;+*&+.2'.B.'50-)+(A?(1.8 (2/.23+>&9(-())2())+6>(1(+ *>(;+01(<+.2)*(0'+&7+1(U5.1.23+ ?(&?-(+*&+*10B(-+*&+0+?0*/>8 work of government offices 6>(1(+)(1B./()+01(+5)50--;+ 0B0.-0:-(L+H>(+)*0*(+>&?()+*&+ 1(?-./0*(+*>(+)5//())75-+2(6+ effort in other communities across California.

“The status quo on homelessness is simply unacceptable – if we want to see different results, we have to do things differently,” said Governor Newsom. “Government paper6&1P+.)+>01'+(2&53>+7&1+*>&)(+&7+5)+6>&+>0B(+1(0';+0//())+*&+/&9?5*(1)+02'+/01)L+G5*+ ?(&?-(+-.B.23+.2+(2/09?9(2*)+&7*(2+)*1533-(+*&+)*.*/>+*&3(*>(1+*>(+)(1B./()+*>(;+2(('+*&+ get their lives back on track. Mobile Homeless Connect recognizes this reality and offers 0+2(6+)*0*(8-&/0-+0??1&0/>+*&+0''1())+.*LM

The three-day pilot concluding today engaged more than 100 people at five sites, providing them access to an estimated 260 state and local benefits or services. ,(&?-(+(A?(1.(2/.23+>&9(-())2())+6(1(+?1&B.'('+0)).)*02/(+6.*>+)*0*(+02'+/&52*;+

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H>(+G((+0-)&+1(?&1*('+*>0*+%,Q=)+G(01+ could not confirm the order of events Sat51'0;+07*(12&&2+:5*+2&*('+*>0*+*>(+!FGHIJ+ /&52*(1+'(9&2)*10*&1)+6(1(+2&*+?01*+&7+*>(+ official straight pride rally because that was ?-022('+7&1+2&&2L

She said that a bush caught fire, leading *>(+?&-./(+*&+/0--+*>(+(B(2*+02+K52-0675-+30*>8 (1.23M+02'+/-09?+'&62L+%&1(+*>02+CD+?&-./(+ officers armed in tactical gear descended on the scene. Police fired pepper spray bullets .2*&+*>(+10.2:&68/-0'+/1&6'+&7+/&52*(18 ?1&*()*(1)<+1(?&1*('-;+.2N51.23+0*+-(0)*+*6&+ ?(&?-(+6>&+6(1(+6>.)P('+060;+:;+B&-528 *((1)L+,&-./(+0-)&+5)('+:(02+:03+352)<+6>./>+ -&&P('+-.P(+&1023(+)>&*352)L

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services including offers of shelter or housing help accessing a birth certificate, ID and Driver’s License records Medi-Cal, CalFresh and CalWorks enrollment workforce training opportunities and unemployment or disability benefits signups and COVID-19 testing and vaccinations against COVID-19 and Monkeypox.

Estimated total engagements include 85 with the Department of Motor Vehicles, 52 with the Employment Development Department, 69 with the Los Angeles County De?01*9(2*+&7+,5:-./+@&/.0-+@(1B./()+02'+VS+6.*>+*>(+!&)+$23(-()+#&52*;+Q(?01*9(2*+&7+ ,5:-./+O(0-*>L

!('+:;+*>(+G5).2())<+#&2)59(1+@(1B./()+02'+O&5).23+$3(2/;+WG#@OX<+).A+)*0*(+03(2/.()+ 02'+95-*.?-(+)*0*(+'(?01*9(2*)+?01*./.?0*('+.2+%&:.-(+O&9(-())+#&22(/*<+0-&23+6.*>+!&)+ Angeles County government departments and local community-based non-profit orga2.Y0*.&2)L

“It is so important to meet individuals experiencing homelessness where they are, instead of requiring them to seek out and travel to government offices for the services *>(;+2(('<M+)0.'+G#@O+@(/1(*01;+!&51'()+#0)*1&+Z09[1(YL+K\B(2+6>(2+?(&?-(+01(+0601(+ of the services available to them it is often difficult, if not impossible, for them to travel *&+-&/0*.&2)+6>(1(+*>(;+/02+0??-;+7&1+*>&)(+)(1B./()LM

Last week, Newsom announced 694 million in new Homekey awards, bringing the *&*0-+?1&N(/*)+752'('+*&+9&1(+*>02+CEE+)*0*(6.'(<+/1(0*.23+9&1(+*>02+SC<DEE+?(1902(2*+ 02'+.2*(1.9+>&9()L+H>(+3&B(12&1=)+95-*.:.--.&28'&--01+>&9(-())+>&5).23+.2B()*9(2*)+6.--+ ?1&B.'(+9&1(+*>02+DD<EEE+2(6+>&5).23+52.*)+02'+*1(0*9(2*+)-&*)+.2+*>(+/&9.23+;(01)L+ G5.-'.23+&2+-0)*+;(01=)+>.)*&1./+]SC+:.--.&2+.2B()*9(2*+*&+>(-?+3(*+*>(+9&)*+B5-2(10:-(+ people off the streets, the state budget this year invests an additional 2 billion in behav.&10-+>(0-*>+>&5).23+02'+(2/09?9(2*+1(>&5).23+)*10*(3.()<+/1(0*.23+0+*&*0-+]SV+:.--.&2+ ?0/P03(+*&+/&271&2*+*>(+)*0*(=)+>&5).23+/1.).)L

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This first-in-the-nation legislation will help create a more inclusive and culturally competent healthcare system for TGI transgender, gender diverse, and intersex people in California by requiring L?/5'1)F&+F9&)+G,&')>5D&),+)&AC*5,&),>&./)>&59,>*5/&)F/+D.A&/1)5M+C,)@&'A&/).')+/A&/),+) receive the care they need,” said Wiener. LThat responsibility should never fall on a patient. SB 964 is first-in-the-nation legislation which will ensure California stays at the forefront of trans-inclusive healthcare.” The measure stipulates "!&567!859:;<;6=!4>=7;=?;=@!'AB;<6C!$B?<67;>=!D4'$E!;=<C?BA!AF;BA=<AGH6:AB!<?CG 7?I6CC9!<>J8A7A=7!<?II;<?C?J!7>!5AC8!859:;<;6=:!8I>F;BA!;=<C?:;FA!<6IA!K>I!&1L! 8A>8CA

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"!&567!75A!IACAF6=7!>FAI:;@57!6@A=<;A:!7I6<P!6=B!J>=;7>I!<>J8C6;=7:!IAC67;=@!7>! T inclusive care an publicly post n ings in their annual reports or website

SB 923 comes at a time when LGBTQ people and particularly transgender children are under attack across the country by right-wing state leaders. Many of those attacks seek to criminalize gender-affirming care.

In February, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order making it illegal for parents to allow their trans kids to receive gender-affirming care. These parents could have their children taken away and be sent to prison simply for allowing their children to be who they are and receive this necessary care. Abbott called gender-affirming care Lchild abuse.”

Alabama just enacted a law imposing ten-year state prison sentences on parents and physicians who allow or provide gender-affirming care to their children.

In Florida, Gov()N+')3&%5',.1)1.@'&A),>&)L3+'’t Say Gay” law, banning discussions about gender identity and sexual orientation from public school classrooms.

LWhile LGBTQ kids are under attack in Texas, Alabama, Florida, Arizona, and other states, SB 923 shows a different path forward one in which quality gender-affirming care is provided for anyone who needs it, with providers going above and beyond to treat TGI patients with the respect and care they deserve,” -.&'&/01)1F+K&1F&/1+')15.A).')5)F/&11) /&9&51&(

Healthcare discrimination and a lack of access to culturally competent care is a major problem that many TGI people regularly face. The National Center for Transgender Equality /&F+/,1),>5,)+'&4,>./A)+G)599),/5'1@&'A&/).'A.D.AC591)J>+)15J)5)>&59,>*5/&)F/+G&11.+'59).')

2014 had at least one negative experience related to being transgender, with even higher rates for people of color and people with disabilities. These negative experiences include being refused treatment, verbally harassed, physically or sexually assaulted, or having to ,&5*>),>&)F/+D.A&/)5M+C,),/5'1@&'A&/)F&+F9&).')+/A&/),+)/&*&.D&)5FF/+F/.5,&)*5/&( This is especially problematic given that TGI people, compared with the general population, suffer from more chronic health conditions. TGI people experience higher rates of health problems related to HIV AIDS, substance use, mental illness, and sexual and phys-

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lead to longterm health issues. Sadly, 23% of transgender individuals reported that fear of discrimination caused them to postpone or not receive necessary medical care.

Moreover, while all health plans are required to cover gender-affirming care, it can be difficult for TGI patients to actually find providers who routinely offer this care. This is a major impediment to TGI people accessing the care they need.

Lawmakers last week rejected legislation authored by Sen. Scott Wiener D-San Francisco and Assemblymember Matt Haney D-San Francisco to allow San Francisco, Palm Springs, and West Hollywood to extend sales of alcohol at bars, nightclubs, and restaurants to as late as 4 a.m. on weekends and 3 a.m. during the week.

In a joint statement, Wiener and Haney said “Senate Bill 930 is a limited pilot program to allow 3 cities each of which asked to be included to work with local stakeholders, including law enforce-

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Every person deserves to receive quality, compassionate health care from understanding, informed, and respectful providers – providers who don’t make assumptions about their gender or sexuality, and who honor their bodily autonomy. TGI people already face so many obstacles outside of the healthcare system, including higher rates of violence, workplace discrimination, ostracization from families and religious communities, and housing discrimination. Going to the doctor should not mean facing additional discrimination or unecessary hardship.

TGI people should have access to positive healthcare experiences. This includes seeing providers who are able to give them the care they need in a non-judgmental and supportive environment, and being able to search for providers who provide gender-affirming services gender-affirming services include but are not limited to chest reconstruction, mastectomy, facial feminization surgery, hysterectomy, voice masculinization or feminization, hormone therapy related to gender dysphoria or intersex conditions, gender-affirming gynecological care, or voice therapy related to gender dysphoria or intersex conditions . Gender-affirming care is critically important health care, and anyone who needs it should be able to find and access it.

The TGI-Inclusive Care Act will help create a healthcare system that meets the needs of TGI people, and provide a more positive patient experience.

SB 923 is sponsored by the California LGBTQ Health and Human Services Network, Equality California, National Health Law Program, Trans Community Project, TransFamily Support Services, and Western Center on Law Poverty. It is co-authored by Assemblymembers Sabrina Cervantes D-Corona , Evan Low D-San ose , Alex Lee D-Fremont , and Cristina Garcia D-Bell Gardens .

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ment, to decide locally whether to extend nightlife hours. SB 930 is 5)9+*59)*+',/+9)M.99),>5,)9&,1)*.,.&1)A&*.A&)J>5,)'.@>,9.G&)J+/K1)M&1,) for their communities and small businesses. We are disappointed that SB 930 came up short on votes today on the Assembly floor after a series of misleading speeches by members representing areas that would not have been impacted by the bill. We are assessing whether there is a path to pass the bill off the Assembly floor.”

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The Washington Post has reported that the harassment -.84@.3-,-+17?13(-1(406)32*1(201).8*@+-+1048)2*1 9-+)216403010@::-03).:13(231)317-17497-+<12.+1 )301+4834,016*28-+1).121>44+8()66-,D "884,+).:13413(-1'()*+,-./01!23)4.2*15406)= 32*/010323-9-.3Q1K'()*+,-./01!23)4.2*15406)32*1 )018499)33-+1341;403-,).:121>-*849).:12.+1).= 8*@0)N-1-.N),4.9-.31;4,12**12.+13410-,N).:14@,1 &RJ#ST1623)-.3012.+1;29)*)-01).13(-1;@**106-8= 3,@914;13(-),182,-DI

#(,-23012.+1(2,200).:182**012.+1-92)*19-0= sages were directed at Boston Children’s Hospital earlier this month over what the hospital 02?01>-,-10)9)*2,1;2*0-18*2)9014.1048)2*19-+)21 3(231)31>2016-,;4,9).:1(?03-,-8349)-014.13,2.0= :-.+-,1?4@3(1@.+-,13(-12:-14;1BCD &)7014;1#)A#4A<1>()8(1(2014;3-.16,4943= ed “groomer” discourse that falsely linked &RJ#S13-28(-,012.+162,-.3013416-+46()*)2<17-= :2.134192A-121N2,)-3?14;1;2*0-18*2)901,-:2,+).:1 J4034.1'()*+,-./015406)32*D1%.-12**-:23)4.1).=

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When Raichik attacked Boston Children’s Hospital, 06,-2+).:1*)-012.+1;2*0-(44+01274@313(-1(-2*3(82,-1;28)*= )3?/013,-239-.314;13,2.01?4@3(<1(-,1X82**13412,90/1>2013(-.1 joined by conservative journalist and anti-LGBTQ activist Christopher Rufo and the Daily Wire’s Matt Walsh, a vehe9-.312.3)=3,2.016@.+)3D

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Boston Children’s Hospital clinicians and staff was acA.4>*-+:-+17?121064A-06-,04.1;4,13(-1J4034.1Y4*)8-1L-= partment who told the Blade that officials had stepped up security to augment the efforts by the hospital to protect its staff and that an investigation had been launched.

The U.S. ustice Department has also launched an investigation into the threats according to an announcement by the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts, Rachael E4**).0D

“We do not and have never provided gender-affirming 0@,:-,?1;4,12.?4.-1@.+-,13(-12:-14;1BC<I12884,+).:13412.1 email statement the hospital’s media office sent to the J*2+-D1K$.1;283<1).1LD'D1?4@182..4316-,;4,9121(?03-,-8349?1 4.1219).4,1>)3(4@312184@,314,+-,<I13(-10323-9-.3102?0D KM-1+41.4316,4N)+-1(4,94.-13(-,26?13418()*+,-.17-;4,-1 6@7-,3?17-:).0<I13(-10323-9-.3184.3).@-0D1K'2,-1)01).+)N)+@= 2*)O-+1;4,1-28(1623)-.312.+12*>2?01).N4*N-01;29)*)-0192A).:1 +-8)0)4.01).1844,+).23)4.1>)3(1213-2914;1():(*?13,2).-+16-=

cluded the lie about the hospital offering gender-affirming (?03-,-8349)-013418()*+,-.1@.+-,1BC1?-2,014*+D

ournalist Martha Bebinger with WBUR, Boston’s NPR news station, noted the campaign started last week with 8,)3)8)0914;121N)+-416403-+14.13(-1(406)32*/01>-70)3-1274@31 (?03-,-8349)-0D1P-N-,2*184.0-,N23)N-1048)2*19-+)2128= 84@.3010(2,-+1640301274@313(-1N)+-414.1#>)33-,D1#(-1(406)= 32*16-,;4,901(?03-,-8349)-014.1623)-.301BC12.+14*+-,<17@31 .4314.18()*+,-.1201049-14;13(-16403018*2)9-+D

In a statement issued by GLAAD, the organization wrote K&)7014;1#)A#4A1)010?.4.?94@01>)3(192*)8)4@0*?132,:-3).:1 &RJ#S14,:2.)O23)4.0<16-46*-<12.+12**)-017?16403).:1*)-0<1 misinformation, and blatant hate. Meta and Twitter continue to profit from accounts like Libs of TikTok as doctors and staff members of Boston Children’s Hospital, and oth-,16,4N)+-,014;1(-2*3(82,-13413,2.0:-.+-,16-46*-<1,-8-)N-1 +-23(13(,-23012.+1(23-D1#(-0-184962.)-012,-18496*)8)31).1 (403).:184.3-.31>()8(1-W6,-00-0192*)8)4@01;2*0-(44+012.+1 which incite anti-LGBTQ hate.”

Y)-,,-102)+1*2031>--A13(231*-:)0*23)4.10--A).:1341 84+);?1029-=0-W192,,)2:-<1*-;317?13(-1P-.23-1201 unfi nished business before adjourning for Au:@031,-8-00<184.3).@-013417-1K).8,-+)7*?1)964,3= 2.3I1341Y,-0)+-.31J)+-.D [-2.=Y)-,,-<1,-064.+).:134121\@-03)4.1;,4913(-1 M20().:34.1J*2+-14.1>(-3(-,1J)+-.1>4@*+1,-28(1 out to Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer ]L=!D^D_1341:-3121N43-108(-+@*-+14.13(-1E-06-831 for Marriage Act, said she had no private conver023)4.01341,-2+14@3<17@3164).3-+134121;4,92*1P323-= 9-.314;1"+9).)03,23)4.1Y4*)8?1;,4913(-1M()3-1 54@0-1201-N)+-.8-14;1J)+-./010@664,31;4,13(-17)**D

K"01?4@1A.4><1>-12,-184.032.3*?1).184.N-,02= 3)4.1>)3(1'4.:,-001`19-97-,014;1'4.:,-00<I1 [-2.=Y)-,,-102)+D1K#()01)01049-3().:13(231>-16@31 out a SAP when it fi rst passed the House support).:13(-192,,)2:-1-\@2*)3?17)**D1#()01)01).8,-+)7*?1 )964,32.313413(-16,-0)+-.3D1M-1(-2,+1;,491()91 back in 2012 when he was one of the fi rst voices 34132*A1274@31(4>1)964,32.3192,,)2:-1-\@2*)3?1 >2017-).:12(-2+14;192.?143(-,0D15-1(2017--.12.1 2+N4823-1;4,13(-18499@.)3?D15-1>)**184.3).@-1341 7-12+N4823-1;4,13(-18499@.)3?DI [-2.=Y)-,,-1,-;-,,).:1341J)+-./018499-.301).1 2012 on “Meet the Press,” when he spoke out in ;2N4,14;192,,)2:-1,):(301;4,1029-=0-W184@6*-01

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Chinese activist continues ght for L T rights from S

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Peng decided to receive a treatment, which cost  90 621.12 Chinese yuan  and lasted an hour.

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A judge ruled in his favor, noting homosexuality is not a 8.=1*=1/*+8/M2*?/4-91/*8>19<.=1P1+</.=/.HH12*HIN/#,1/9-H.+2/.=/ the first time a judge in China ruled in favor of LGBTQ and .+<19=1F/9.2,<=I M(-4L.H?/G1/G5+/<,1/4*=13N/01+2/<5H8/<,1/;H*81I/M!</G*=/*/ =-9A9.=1IN 01+2/=*.8/<,1/9-H.+2/.+=A.918/(:;#/%.2,<=/&8>54*4?/@,.+*/ to file additional cases.

One case involved a 37-year-old man whose parents forciQH?/*8P.<<18/,.P/<5/*/P1+<*H/,5=A.<*H/759/DT/8*?=/Q14*-=1/,1/ .=/2*?I/01+2/<5H8/<,1/;H*81/<,*</A19=5++1H/759418/<,1/P*+/<5/ <*L1/P18.4*<.5+/*+8/A-+.=,18/,.P/.7/,1/917-=18I &+5<,19/4*=1/.+>5H>18/*/L.+8192*9<1+/<1*4,19/G,5/G*=/ fired after he posted gay-specific news on social media. LGBT %.2,<=/&8>54*4?/@,.+*/*H=5/91A91=1+<18/*/H1=Q.*+/45-AH1/ 795P/@,.+*/G,5/,*8/*/4,.H8/*7<19/<,1?/H12*HH?/P*99.18/.+/(5=/ Angeles.

LGBT Rights Advocacy China shut down in November 2021 *P.8/.+491*=18/25>19+P1+</91=<9.4<.5+=/*2*.+=</":'=/*+8/ what the Associated Press described as “social activism.” 01+23/G,5/4-991+<H?/=<-8.1=/*</)*H1/W+.>19=.<?3/45+<.+-1=/<5/ champion LGBTQ and intersex rights in China. Peng, among 5<,19/<,.+2=3/=A1*L=/G.<,/!;S/*+8/5<,19/45PA*+.1=/G.<,/576 fices in China about the need to support their LGBTQ and in<19=1F/1PAH5?11=I M!+/@,.+*3/<,1?/754-=/5+/145+5P.4/81>1H5AP1+</*+8/<,191/ *91/=5/P*+?/.+<19+*<.5+*H/45PA*+.1=3N/,1/=*.8I/MS591/*+8/ P591/45PA*+.1=/91*H.V1/<,191/.=/*/A.+L/85HH*9IN

#$%&'()*+,',%-.)'/0%12+1%$3-%451%6+.3 Peng, 39, grew up in a small town about 180 miles outside 57/:-*+2V,5-3/*/4.<?/.+/=5-<,19+/@,.+*/<,*</.=/4H5=1/<5/J5+2/ X5+2I/01+2/G*=/=<.HH/.+/<,1/4H5=1</G,1+/,1/1+95HH18/.+/*/:-*+26

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“It was my first time knowing the term homosexuality,” he =*.83/+5<.+2/,1/H1*9+18/*Q5-</,5P5=1F-*H.<?/5+/<,1/.+<19+1</ that had just begun to become widely available in China. “It G*=/=5/+12*<.>1/Q14*-=1/G,1+/!/=1*94,18/<,1/<19P/Y<5+2/V,.O/ gay in Chinese it all appeared abnormal, [gay people] have =1F/G.<,/1>19?Q58?/*+8/21</8.=1*=1=/H.L1/J!ZI/!/G*=/=4*918I/!/ <,5-2,</.</G*=+O</5LIN

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“I couldn’t even accept myself,” he said. “I just persuaded P?=1H7/<,*</!OP/+5</2*?IN

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“The community was there, but I was so scared to join <,1P3N/=*.8/01+2I/M!/<9.18/<5/Q1/*/>5H-+<119/*+8/A19=-*81/P?6 =1H7/<,*</!OP/+5</2*?IN

Peng was 27 in 2010 he finally mustered the courage to 45P1/5-</<5/*/45HH1*2-1/5+/G,5P/,1/,*8/*/49-=,/G,.H1/<,1?/ G191/A*9<.4.A*<.+2/.+/*/<G568*?/,.L.+2/1>1+<I/#,1/P*+/G*=/ =<9*.2,<3/Q-</01+2/<5H8/<,1/;H*81/<,*</,.=/91*4<.5+/<5/,.=/,56 P5=1F-*H.<?/G*=/M=5/A5=.<.>1IN

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Peng in 2013 quit his job and co-founded LGBT Rights Advocacy China. He filed suit against the Chongqing conversion <,19*A?/4H.+.4/<,1/75HH5G.+2/?1*9I 01+2O=/A*91+<=/=<.HH/8.8/+5</L+5G/*Q5-</,.=/,5P5=1F-*H.<?3/ but they did watch him on Chinese television after the judge 9-H18/.+/,.=/7*>59I

M#,1/+*<.5+*H/P18.*/<*HL18/*Q5-</5-9/4*=13N/,1/=*.8I/M&HH/P?/

!" !"!#$%&$'($)!*+,!+*++!"!-.#/01$-$#(-/2$34.'

91H*<.>1=/4*HH18/<,1P/*+8/*=L18/G,*</,*AA1+183/G,*</,*A6 A1+18/<5/?5-9/=5+I/!/<,.+L/<,1?/25</*/H5</57/A91==-91I/#,1?/A916 =1+<18/+5</<5/L+5G/*+8/,*>1+O</8.=4-==18/<,.=/<5A.4/G.<,/P1I/ They know I think they don’t accept it. They can’t control me Q14*-=1/!/H.>1/=5/7*9/*G*?IN

01+2/5>19/<,1/=-PP19/P*99.18/,.=/,-=Q*+8/.+/W<*,I 7'4)5()28&9%7:;$<%+-546%=2+//'46')

China decriminalized homosexuality in 1997, but the gov19+P1+</,*=/Q*++18/81A.4<.5+=/57/=*P16=1F/91H*<.5+=,.A=/ *+8/M=.==?/P1+N/.+/<,1/P18.*I/#9*+=21+819/A15AH1/G,5/*91/ at least 18 can legally change their gender after the undergo =1F691*==.2+P1+</=-9219?I

#,1/[<*<1/U1A*9<P1+<O=/BCBD/,-P*+/9.2,<=/91A59</4.<1=/ 91A59<=/57/8.=49.P.+*<.5+/*+8/,*9*==P1+</Q*=18/5+/=1F-*H/ 59.1+<*<.5+/*+8/21+819/.81+<.<?I/#,1/91A59</*H=5/+5<1=/(:;#/ %.2,<=/&8>54*4?/@,.+*O=/814.=.5+/<5/=,-</85G+I

01+2/<5H8/<,1/;H*81/<,*</<,1/@,.+1=1/25>19+P1+<O=/=G11A6 .+2/H54L85G+=/<5/A91>1+</<,1/=A91*8/57/@'Z!U6DT/,*>1/,*8/*/ serious impact on LGBTQ and intersex people.

J1/+5<18/":'=/.+/R-,*+/G59L18/G.<,/H54*H/*-<,59.<.1=/<5/ A95>.81/P18.4*<.5+=/<5/A15AH1/G.<,/J!Z\&!U[/G,1+/<,1/4.<?/ was locked down from an. 23, 2020, until April 8, 2020. Peng said they also sought to hold virtual meetings in which LGBTQ *+8/.+<19=1F/A15AH1/45-H8/A*9<.4.A*<1/795P/<,1.9/,5P1=I 09.81/S5+<,/1>1+<=/<55L/AH*41/.+/[,*+2,*./.+/]-+1/BCBC3/ Q-</<,1/4.<?/G*=/-+819/*/=<9.4</@'Z!U6DT/H54L85G+/G,1+/01+2/ =A5L1/G.<,/<,1/;H*81I

“It’s kind of difficult,” he said.

J5+2/X5+2/,*8/Q11+/=4,18-H18/<5/,5=</<,1/:*?/:*P1=/.+/ "5>1PQ193/Q-</<,1/A*+81P.4/A95PA<18/592*+.V19=/<5/A5=<6 pone them to 2023. The Federation of Gay Games, which or2*+.V1=/<,1/K-*891++.*H/1>1+<3/1*9H.19/<,.=/?1*9/*++5-+418/ Hong ong will co-host it with Guadalajara, Mexico.

:.2./@,*53/45675-+819/57/J5+2/X5+2/S*99.*21/$K-*H.<?3/H*<1/ last year during an interview with the Blade dismissed calls to boycott the 2023 Gay Games over China’s human rights record.

01+2/=*.8/,1/*+8/5<,19/*4<.>.=<=/.+/@,.+*/MG191/=5/,*AA?/ <,*</J5+2/X5+2/G*=/25.+2/<5/592*+.V1N/<,1/:*?/:*P1=3/Q-</,1/ did not specifically discuss the human rights concerns. Peng +1>19<,1H1==/=*.8/,1/45+<.+-1=/<5/=-AA59</<,1/1>1+<O=/592*+.V6 19=/.+/J5+2/X5+2I

M!/,5A1/<,1?/G5+O</2.>1/-A3N/,1/=*.8I/M!<O=/*/2558/5AA59<-+.<?/ 759/P591/Q-=.+1==1=/Q14*-=1/<,191/*91/*/H5</57/.+<19+*<.5+*H/ Q-=.+1==1=/.+/J5+2/X5+2/<5/=,5G/=-AA59<I/!/<,.+L/<,1?/=,5-H8/ =A1*L/5-</<5/=-AA59</<,1PIN

@,*+<*H1/R5+23/<,1/WI[I/8.914<59/57/<,1/&=.*+/U1>1H5AP1+</ Bank who is the first openly lesbian American ambassador, was born in Shanghai in 1954. Her parents in 1960 placed ,19/.+/<,1/Q5<<5P/57/*/Q5*</<,*</Q95-2,</,19/*+8/,19/29*+86 P5<,19/<5/J5+2/X5+23/G,.4,/G*=/*/;9.<.=,/45H5+?/*</<,1/<.P1I

Peng praised Wong and her ambassadorship. He has also testified in support of LGBTQ and intersex-specific safeguards 759/<,1/&=.*+/U1>1H5AP1+</;*+LI

quite important because ADB invests 2 billion every ?1*9/.+/@,.+*3N/=*.8/01+2I/M!7/<,191O=/*+/(:;#/=*712-*983/<,1=1/ projects can be LGBT-inclusive, friendly can have some benefit for LGBT people.”

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tell them the facts.

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TROY MASTERS tmasters@losangelesblade.com 310-230-5266 x8080 (o), 917-406-1619 (c) %!-$%.3.+!#4$/,)5 %!-$%.$6$70/,8$

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BRODY LEVESQUE California 7()/#,10/(#% MICHAEL K. LAVERS, TINASHE CHINGARANDE, ERNESTO VALLE, YARIEL VALDÉS GONZALEZ, PARKER PURIFOY, CHRISTOPHER KANE, AUSTIN MENDOZA, JOHN PAUL KING, JOEY DIGUGLIELMO, CHRIS JOHNSON, LOU CHIBBARO JR., REBEKAH SAGER, JON DAVIDSON, SUSAN HORNIK, CHANNING SARGENT, SAMSON AMORE, CHRISTOPHER CAPPIELLO, MICHAEL JORTNER, DAN ALLEN, SEAN SHEALY, SCOTT STIFFLER, RHEA LITRÉ #$%&'()%*+%,(-./0$1+2#'(1. !"#$%$#!&'(#)%*+ ",%/#,10/,()

CHRISTOPHER JACKSON, 562-826-6602

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There are four new great reggaeton anthems in the world, and dance floors !"#$%&'()%*+))$,%-+.$%$.+)/0"112%.!2)!-/0%)!",%$#$.3%4$**"$)+,%/(%5$()%6!$,%/)%/(% 1+'78%9',8%/,9$0)/+'(8%($:2%"(%!$11%",7%9.$$;(</./)$78%6$"#/,*%/)(%().+,*%=")/,%>-$.; ica and hip hop influences.  ?+.%)!+($%6!+%*.++#$%/,)+%/)(%($,('"1%!/<%-+#/,*%<+($(8%.$0+.7/,*%".)/()%@/+% A."#+%!"(%.$1$"($7%"%!+)%9+'.;(+-$%+9%(+,*(%6/)!%6!/0!%)+%-+#$8%*./,78%1+#$% and sweat with in the most steamily stimulating way.  At the beginning of August 2022, Gio dropped the first single titled “Esta Noche,” followed by three additional tracks “Tiene Ganas,” “Lo Que Ella Quiere” and “Eres Fuego.”

B!$%-'(/0%/(%/,9$0)/+'(8%)!$%12./0(%".$%51")",)12%($:'"1%",7%)!$%".+'("1%)+%7",0$% )!$-%+')%/(%+#$.6!$1-/,*3

B!$%5+17,$((%+9%)!$%-'(/0%/(%.$<.$($,)")/#$%+9%)!$%-",%5$!/,7%/)3%C)(%/,;2+'.; face masculinity is emblematic of the masculinity that Gio bravo has had to fight to embrace for himself. He was the first transgender artist to break barriers in the regional Mexican music genre.

D$19;7/(0+#$.2%6"(%"%1+,*%<")!3%@/+%E/(($7%"%*/.1%/,%E/,7$.*".)$,8%",7%$#$.2+,$% laughed. A small red flag went up in his mind, but it wasn’t until middle school that he realized he was very different than his friends. The girls around him were 0.'(!/,*%+,%5+2(8%",7%,+)%+,12%7/7%!$%!"#$%,+%/,)$.$()8%!$%/,()$"7%6"(%0.'(!/,*% +,%)!$-3%F$+<1$%6+'17%"(E%!/-%/9%!$%6",)$7%)+%*$)%-"../$7%6!$,%!$%*.$6%'<3%G$% would say “yes”, but in his mind he could never see himself as a bride. Today, he 6/(!$(%!$%0+'17%!"#$%($$,%"%.+1$%-+7$1%/,%!/(%6+.178%5')%)!$.$%6"(%,+%).",(*$,; der men visible at all. “It would have helped me have a little bit more direction on what my path was,” he told me in our conversation on the podcast Rated LGBT Radio.

G"7%!$%E,+6,%+9%)!$%(0/$,0$%5$!/,7%).",(/)/+,/,*8%!$%6+'17%!"#$%).",(/)/+,$7% much sooner than he did. There are no regrets however. He states, “In my jour,$28%C%9$$1%)!")%6!$,%C%()".)$7%).",(/)/+,/,*8%/)%6"(%)!$%./*!)%)/-$%9+.%-$%6/)!% $#$.2)!/,*%C%!"7%1/#$7%'<%)+8%+.%C%!"7%1/#$7%)!.+'*!%'<%)+%)!")%-+-$,)3%C)%.$"112% !$1<$7%5'/17%)!")%5"0E5+,$%)!")%/(%).'12%,$$7$7%)+%7+%(+-$)!/,*%1/E$%).",(/)/+,; ing. When you transition, it’s not just you, it’s your family, your friends. You have to know, that they’re going through this transition with you. You definitely have )+%!"#$%"%1+)%+9%5"0E5+,$%)+%5$%)!$%-",%2+'%".$%",7%0"..2%)!+($%".+',7%2+'%6/)!% you on the journey.”

@/+%7+#$%/,)+%-'(/0%"(%"%("9$%!"#$,%9.+-%)6+%)."'-")/0%$#$,)(8%)!$%7/#+.0$%+9% !/(%<".$,)(8%",7%)!$%7$")!%+9%"%01+($%9./$,73%C)%6"(%)!.+'*!%!/(%-'(/0%".)/().2%)!")% the true vision of his authentic self emerged in the most pronounced way. “When I started my journey of really exploring my sexuality, who I was,  I always found (+1"0$%",7%-2%-'(/03%H!$,%C%6.+)$%-'(/0%"*"/,%)!$.$%6"(%,+%).",(%#/(/5/1/)2%+')% there. I always felt like I didn’t want to be a female artist singing songs directed at men, which is kind of  the standard For Mexican music. When you’re a guy you )!/,E%!$".)5.$"E%+.%.+-",)/0%9$$1/,*(%9+.%6+-$,%",7%#/0$%#$.("8%)!$%6+-$,%)+% the men. I didn’t want to be that artist, all my songs that I wrote, they were always like in the perspective of a man singing into a woman.”

“I didn’t actually start doing music officially until I started transitioning. When C%5$*",%-2%!+.-+,$%.$<1"0$-$,)%)!$."<28%C%()".)$7%.$"1/I/,*%1/E$%)!$($%0!",*$(% /,%-2%#+/0$8%/,%-2%9"0$%",7%/)%6"(%(+-$)!/,*3%D+-$)!/,*%"5+')%($$/,*%-2($198%

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5$0+-/,*%)!$%<$.(+,%)!")%C%"16"2(%6/(!$73%C)%-"7$%-$%.$-$-5$.%6!$,%C%6"(%"% kid, five or six years old, people would always tell me  you are like the spitting image of your dad.’ I would feel so flattered. I liked the idea of looking like a boy ",7%C%1++E/,*%1/E$%-2%7"73%H!$,%C%()".)$7%($$/,*%)!$($%0!",*$(%6/)!%-2%!+.-+,$% replacement therapy, it’s just like triggered the me from inside. It gave me a confidence that went through the roof. Without my transition I would have never taken the step to becoming a recording artist and go after that dream.”

Now Gio is transitioning again. This time within the genres of Mexican music. J'()%/,%)/-$%9+.%(+-$%$,7;+9;('--$.%7",0$%#/5$(8%@/+%",,+',0$7%)!/(%,$6%).",; sition.  Following the launch of his musical career in 2017 with Regional Mexican album “El Comienzo,” a Banda Sierre o style that was very personal to him reflecting memories with his dad, he is now ready to take on a new music genre 6/)!%)."0E(%<$,,$7%52%!/-($19%",7%<.+7'0$7%52%.$,+6,$7%K.5",%=")/,%L$,$I'$; 1",%-'(/0%<.+7'0$.%4"22$,3

Gio describes his artistic transition this way “I’ve always been a Reggaeton fan, in fact, one of my all-time favorite albums is Daddy Yankee’s Barrio Fino.’ My very first Project in this music genre was a very cool collaboration I did with the talented and well-known Mexican singer Helen Ochoa with the song “Diabla.” I )!/,E%/)%6"(%(<+)%+,%5$0"'($%/)%6"(%6$11%.$0$/#$7%52%-2%9",(%",7%")%)!$%("-$% )/-$8%C%).'12%9$1)%)!/(%6"(%)!$%*$,.$%)!")%.$(+,")$7%6$11%6/)!%-$3%4$**"$)+,%/(%"% *$,.$%)!")%"11+6(%-$%)+%$:<.$((%-2($19%/,%"%-+.$%"')!$,)/0%6"2%",7%/)%"11+6(%-$% to be who I really am. I love Reggaeton music. It’s less judgmental, more open to accept new concepts. Now, I can honestly say that I feel like I can live my truth. B!$($%,$6%)."0E(%".$%"%5/)%-+.$%$.+)/0%",7%($,('"18%",7%)!$2%-"E$%-$%9$$1%-+.$% comfortable in my own skin.”

H!$,%1/()$,/,*%)+%)!$($%,$6%<+6$.;<'-</,*%)."0E(%!/(%9",(%0",%!$".%@/+%$-; bracing a higher level of raw confidence. He says the new songs are “very kind of sexually driven, which is another thing, you know. Now that I’m in this point of my 1/9$%",7%/,%-2%).",(/)/+,8%C%9$$1%#$.2%0+-9+.)"51$%/,%-2%($:'"1/)2%)+%-"E$%(+,*(%/,% reference to sexuality. It is the perfect timing. My life comes full circle. I’m pretty excited.  Honestly, I’m really happy with where I’m at with my music right now.”

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When “Better Call Saul” aired its finale last month, it was the end of an era. The critically lauded prequel series to “Breaking Bad” had amassed a loyal following by offering fans a chance to return for a deeper dive into the morally ambiguous universe Vince Gilligan had created around teacher-turned-meth-kingpin Walter White Bryan Cranston nearly 15 years ago.

Meticulously unfolding the saga of deceptively clownish strip mall lawyer Saul Goodman Bob Odenkirk , it was elegantly cinematic, inscrutably layered, and impeccably crafted, proving itself every bit the equal of its predecessor. If “Breaking Bad” was a slow-burn crime thriller with the scope and dimension of a Shakespeare tragedy, “Better Call Saul” was a character-driven neo-noir meditation on the inevitability of corruption – yet they were unmistakably tied together by a signature note of irony and a relish for Hitchcockian suspense. They were also populated by a memorable cast of characters that viewers grew to love, despite their moral ambiguities – and among them, as “Saul” revealed at last, is one of the richest and most well-drawn queer characters in television history.

If you’ve never watched either show, you might be understandably surprised to learn that Gilligan’s blood-spattered mythos contained any significant LGBTQ presence. Indeed, even those who’ve seen both might not have realized it, though clues were planted all along the way before we say more, however, it’s only fair to warn that there are spoilers for both “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul” beyond this point.

We first meet Gustavo “Gus” Fring Giancarlo Esposito in “Breaking Bad” as the dapper and polite owner of fast-food chicken franchise Los Pollos Hermanos, though we quickly learn he runs a much more ambitious business, too. As a high-level meth distributor for a Mexican drug cartel with ambitions to capture the market for himself, he becomes Walter White’s principal rival, and the two men wage an escalating war of manipulation and dominance until Gus finally

meets his fate in an explosive scene near the end of season four. It’s a high point in a series full of them, an exit worthy of a villain as complex and compelling as Gus.

It’s another scene in “Breaking Bad,” however, that provides this sinister and Machiavellian drug lord with the dimension that recasts him as a tragic hero. In an earlier episode, we are given a flashback to his younger days in Mexico, in which we learn that his meth enterprise began as a partnership with Max ames Martinez . The pair is given an audience with cartel boss Don Eladio Steven Bauer , hoping to win his partnership instead, they are met with ridicule and insinuations about their sexuality before Gus is forced to watch Max’s execution by gunshot to the head. Most queer viewers likely recognized immediately that these two men were much more than business partners, but others were unconvinced, despite details laced throughout the narrative that reinforced the obvious implications about their relationship.

Not until “Better Call Saul” do we get more detail about Gus’s subsequent ascendency to power, and it reveals what we’ve suspected all along Gus’s motivation in building his drug empire is to get revenge against the family responsible for his lover’s brutal death. When he exits the series this time around, it’s in a scene that might almost be charming if not for the weight of doom that hangs over it. Celebrating a crucial victory against the cartel, he treats himself to an elegant dinner for one at his favorite restaurant.

Seated at the bar, he engages in flirtatious conversation with a handsome sommelier Reed Diamond who obviously returns his interest. It’s a brief moment of respite for Gus that ends with him abruptly finishing his wine and unceremoniously leaving the restaurant when his younger companion temporarily steps away. Resigned to a destiny where he can afford no emotional connections and still haunted by the trauma of that long ago day in Mexico, he opts to walk away from the possibility of romantic connection, and our perception of this sinister figure is softened by the recognition of his tragedy.

With the airing of this scene, viewers who had resisted the idea of a gay Gus Fring had no choice but to concede – especially after showrunner Peter Gould officially confirmed it on The Ringer podcast following the show. But for the many who saw through Gus’s carefully cultivated mask all along, this confirmation was less a revelation than a validation. After decades of recognizing queer subtext in mainstream Hollywood content, it’s refreshing to be told we weren’t just imagining it anymore.

Some might argue that Gus Fring is not the best example of inclusion after all, he’s a cold and merciless criminal responsible for an untold number of deaths. Though we can feel some pity for him knowing his backstory, he is ultimately a monster, and could be construed on the surface as a throwback to the days when queer people were depicted only as villains or victims. Besides all that, he’s deeply closeted, at least with his cartel associates.

Such concerns are not so easily applied when it comes to material like “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul,” however. These are not lazy, shallow shows that rely on tropes and expectations to tell their stories, but shrewd and layered works of art. All of Gilligan’s characters are flawed, even those who aren’t corrupt, and the world he puts them in is a harsh but realistic place where doing the “right” thing is rarely a feasible option. Gus, regardless of his orientation, is a sinner among sinners, and – thanks to Esposito’s impeccable performance and the excellent work of the writers – he’s just as deeply human as any of the rest of them.

The best LGBTQ representation happens when queer characters are allowed to be simply characters. When their story has nothing to do with their queerness, yet their queerness is still part of their story, they can be truly authentic reflections of queer life in all its infinite facets. Gus Fring may not be a good role model, but he’s thrillingly real – and for that, Vince Gilligan deserves our thanks.

Now, with his epic saga finally at an end, Gilligan says it’s time for him to walk away from the complex narrative he wove over the course of the two shows and the feature film “El Camino,” which brought closure for fan-favorite character esse Pinkman, played by Aaron Paul , and although he’s not closing the door on the possibility of coming back to explore it further some time in the future, it’s not likely to be soon. For now, he’s turning his attention toward his next project – a sci-fi series in the vein of “The -Files,” the show that first brought him to prominence during his stint as a writer and showrunner for several seasons. That means we have to say good-bye to the “Breaking Bad” universe, along with all its characters, but it also means we can look forward to seeing what he gives us next.

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Health Services

Trans Wellness

David Geffen Health Center, Koreatown (213.201.1600)

APLA Health Dental Clinic, Downtown Los Angeles (213.201.1388)

APLA Health Center, Mid-Wilshire (323.215.1725)

Gleicher/Chen Health Center, Baldwin Hills (323.329.9900)

Out Here Sexual Health Center, Baldwin Hills (213.201.5000)

APLA Health Center, CDU/MLK Medical Campus (323.329.9700)

APLA Health Center, Long Beach (562.247.7740)