Center Voices

ANALYSIS &

INSIGHT

Mi Centro, the Center’s facility formed in partnership with Latino Equality Alliance in Boyle Heights, provides a space for LGBTQ youth and their families to feel safe and empowered. It offers Familias Afortunadas, a Spanish-language support group, as told in LA Metro’s Community Conversations:

Excerpt: “Let’s bring this conversation into our community and welcome folks to be able to be vulnerable, to be themselves, to come in without having this agenda of ‘I have to come in and know the proper terms,’ or ‘I have to be able to feel a certain way because I’m going to be judged for not knowing or for saying hurtful things.’ I wanted to create a safe space for all folks to come into the conversation authentically and say whatever they feel.’”

Listen more at bit.ly/micentro JO CERDA

Youth & Family Connections Manager Children, Youth & Family Services

The Biden administration is receiving praise for its diverse Cabinet picks and pledge for inclusiveness for the next four years. One of the first Executive Orders signed by President Biden ensured anti-discrimination protection for the LGBT community at schools and workplaces, among others, as seen on KABC-TV:

Excerpt: "We are now with an administration that is willing to put the lived experiences of LGBT people at the forefront—where we deserve to be—and be able to get the resources and demand for those resources in order for us not just to survive, but to thrive."

JOEY HERNÁNDEZ

Director of Advocacy and Mobilization Public Policy The vicious attacks and murders of transgender women, particularly trans women of color, continues to escalate—2020 marked the worst year on record for transphobic violence nationwide. In order for people to live their lives authentically and courageously, others need to understand trans and nonbinary folks have always existed, as seen on KTTV-TV’s Good Day LA:

Excerpt: “We have just as much right to exist as everyone else. It’s really important to recognize the intersections of identity that are playing here when we talk about privilege and power. Trans women are too often marginalized and ostracized, and we need to change that fundamentally by recognizing their humanity.”

Watch more at bit.ly/translives CAMERON VARNEY

Trans Wellness Center Site Manager Health Services

Excessive alcohol consumption disproportionately impacts LGBTQ people—a reality made worse during the COVID-19 pandemic, as reported by Queerty:

Excerpt: “People have had to confront their drinking in a way they hadn’t prior because they’re at home all the time. Their family, or partner, are maybe seeing behaviors they might not have noticed before. There’s more attention being paid to that, and so people are having to confront their alcohol consumption. Some people crossed that invisible line during the pandemic, and I think we will see the repercussions of that for a long time. Isolation is a huge indicator of alcohol abuse.” SARAH McCUSKER

Mental Health Clinician V Health Services