Center Notes

NEWS&

NOTES

HUMAN RITES

As a recipient of the L.A. Justice Fund—funding allocated for immigrants’ increased access to legal representation and counsel before the Immigration Courts—the Center’s Immigration Law Project has successfully represented more than 60 refugee clients, with more than 40 of them granted asylum. Most of the asylees hail from anti-LGBT countries where homosexuality is punishable by law, including death.

One client, Raiza Daniela Hernández, is an El Salvadorean trans woman and trans rights activist. She fled her country and was detained by ICE at the Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego for seven months. After winning her asylum case, she and the Center’s Legal Services immigration attorney Tess Feldman traveled to Washington D.C. to share her story at the House Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing on Immigration. Hernández also spoke at a Congressional Briefing and press conference in support of the Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act aimed to improve healthcare and safety protections for immigrants, with special protections for trans and LGBT immigrants in ICE custody. Hernández’s lawful permanent residency Green Card is expected to be approved soon.

A NEW CENTER PERK

Scheduled to open this spring, the Center’s new Liberation Coffee House will serve Verve Coffee and a full selection of artisan pastries, sandwiches, salads, flatbreads, and delectable snacks. The 1,641-squarefoot space located on the street level of the Anita May Rosenstein Campus’ southwest corner will be staffed primarily with graduates of the Center’s Culinary Arts program. The business name is an homage to the Center’s Liberation Houses, which provided room and board for $1.50 per day in the early 1970s to LGBT people experiencing homelessness.

EMBRACING OUR ROOTS

As part of Black History Month, more than 400 guests attended the Center’s fourth annual The Future is Black celebration. This year’s theme was “Embracing Our Roots” and keynote speaker was Yazmin Monet Watkins, author of Love Without Limits: The Bi-Laws of Love. Princess Arthur was honored with the Marsha P. Johnson Award, given to a burgeoning youth community activist. Actress and activist Jazzmun Crayton was saluted with the Bayard Rustin Award for her prominence in advancing black and LGBT rights. The Village Health Foundation received the Freedom Riders Award for providing outstanding and impactful work in the black community. Guests also enjoyed performances, resource fair, gallery exhibit, and local soul food.

CAMPING OUT

The Center’s Senior Services co-hosted a groundbreaking conference geared for LGBT widows and widowers at the Anita May Rosenstein Campus in February. Produced by Soaring Spirits International, the daylong Camp Widow featured workshops, discussions, and resources for those who have lost a partner, spouse, or significant other. The keynote speaker was award-winning designer, author, and advocate Nate Berkus, who lost his partner in 2004.

A RUN FOR YOUR MONEY

For the first time, the Center registered as an Official Charity Partner for the iconic LA Big 5K, held in conjunction with the Los Angeles Marathon. More than 75 members joined the Center Crew team. Adorned with specially designed Center Crew T-shirts and a pair of branded running socks, the Crew raised more than $32,000 to benefit the Center’s vital programs and services.