Center Voices

ANALYSIS &

INSIGHT

Los Angeles Police Department data indicates that 58 percent of reported crimes against transgender people were violent, ranging from robbery to assault with a deadly weapon. Media coverage of these crimes— particularly the murders of black trans women—has left the community on edge. As reported in Crosstown, people need to reexamine their anti-trans prejudices:

Excerpt: “Imagine living a life where you are constantly having to be hyper-aware of your surroundings and whom you interact with out of fear that some sort of retaliation will occur for just living our authentic lives. You probably know a trans person. Talk to someone. Read something. Learn before you hate.”

Read more at bit.ly/antitranscrimes GINA BIGHAM

Manager of Trans Lounge & Education Empowerment Programs Cultural Arts

There is an STI epidemic in Los Angeles. As infection rates continue to rise, it’s important that fighting the epidemic remains at the forefront of public health policy decisions, which should include the role the community can play in helping to fight the epidemic, as discussed on Channel Q radio:

Excerpt: “We need to support each other in getting routine regular testing—whether we have symptoms or not. Eighty percent of STIs don’t have any symptoms so if you’re just waiting until you have a symptom, you can be passing this along and absolutely have no idea that you’re doing it.” DR. WARD CARPENTER

Co-Director Health Services After receiving a $3,000 grant from the Hate Crime Security Fund—awarded to organizations vulnerable to hate crimes within L.A.’s Fourth Council District—the Center is installing security cameras at one facility following a vandalism incident. As reported by KNBC-TV, the safety of staff and clients among the Center’s 10 locations is a priority:

Excerpt: “We always do a security assessment, especially in these modern times with the current federal administration. We have seen a rise in rhetoric against the LGBT community. Education [about our community] leads to tolerance and understanding."

Watch more at JESSICA STONEHAM

Director Facilities

bit.ly/hatecrimesecurityfund

Together for more than six decades, a gay couple— one of whom fought in the Korean War and one who survived the battle off Samar in World War II—came to the Center in 2014 to get help accessing Veterans benefits with help from the Senior Services Department. Many LGBT veterans, regardless of their age, fear living their authentic lives, as reported by the Palos Verdes Peninsula News:

Excerpt: “There’s a lot of veterans who don’t want to identify with military because of the bad experiences they had with being pushed out. [This couple was] a beacon of light to be able to live that life together.”

Jesse Ortiz-Barreto

Activities Coordinator Senior Services