Los Angeles Blade, Volume 09, Issue 21, November 14, 2025

Changing the narrative (Guillermo Diaz photo by Fernando Guerrero - Harvey Guillén photo by Josue Lozado)

Guillermo Diaz and Harvey Guillén boosting Latino representation in entertainment, PAGES 16 & 17

NOVEMBER 14, 2025 • VOLUME 09 • ISSUE 21 • AMERICA’S LGBTQ NEWS SOURCE • LOSANGELESBLADE.COM

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LA Assessor Jeffrey Prang to be honored by Stonewall Democrats Prang is among America’s longest-serving openly gay elected officials #$%&'#%()*+&,' W&6* +()* 7&/* G1* /&&* 4(+=<=(,* :=/0* !$* #&67/)* $..1.> sor Jeffrey Prang.

W&6?91* A,&G(G<)* 7191,* 01(,'* &4* /01* office of the LA #&67/)* $..1..&,;* &,* )&6* +=80/* &7<)* 0(91*(*9(861*7&/=&7*&4*:0(/*=/*'&1.@ _6/*:=/0*(*5(,11,*=7*5=/)*A&<=/=5.*.A(77=78* 71(,<)* /0=,/)* )1(,.;* 01?.* (+&78* /01* <&7> gest-serving openly gay elected officials in /01* g7=/1'* B/(/1.;* (7'* 4&,* 0=.* :&,-* .1,9=78* /01*A1&A<1*&4*!&.*$781<1.*(7'*50(+A=&7=78* /01* ,=80/.* &4* /01* 5=/)?.* !M_%h* A1&A<1;* /01* B/&71:(<<*U1+&5,(/=5*#<6G*=.*0&7&,=78*0=+* (/* /01=,* JO/0* $77=91,.(,)* #1<1G,(/=&7* (7'* $:(,'.*C=80/*C&9*IJ*(/*_1(501.*%,&A=5(7(* =7*R1./*S&<<):&&'@ D,(78*+&91'*/&*!&.*$781<1.*4,&+*0=.*7(> tive Michigan after college in 1991, specifi5(<<)*.11-=78*(7*&AA&,/67=/)*/&*.1,91*=7*A&<> =/=5.*(.*(7*&A17<)*8()*+(7@*H7*Icc3;*01*:(.* 1<15/1'*/&*/01*R1./*S&<<):&&'*#=/)*#&675=<;* :01,1*01*.1,91'*4&,*IL*)1(,.;*=75<6'=78*4&6,*

./=7/.*(.*+()&,@ PH*:(.*(5/=91*=7*A&<=/=5.;*G6/*=7*X=50=8(7*(/* /01*/=+1*H*<14/;*)&6*5&6<'7?/*,1(<<)*G1*&6/*(7'* =79&<91'*=7*A&<=/=5.\*X)*<=41*:(.*.&*5&+A(,/> +17/(<=Z1'@*H*0('*+)*./,(=80/*4,=17'.;*+)*8()* 4,=17'.;* +)* A&<=/=5(<* 4,=17'.;* (7'* H* 5&6<'7?/* ,1(<<)*+=i*(7'*+(/50*/0&.1*/0=78.;Q*01*.().@ P"71* &4* /01* /0=78.* /0(/* :(.* ,1(<<)* =+> A(5/46<*:(.*(.*)&6*',&91*'&:7*B(7/(*X&7> ica Boulevard and saw those rainbow flags A<(51'*/01,1*G)*/01*8&91,7+17/*=7*/01*+1> '=(7* =.<(7'@* %0(/* ,1(<<)* .(=';* /0=.* =.* (* A<(51* :01,1* )&6* 5(7* G1* )&6,.1<4@* W&6* '&7?/* 0(91* to be afraid.”

"71* /0=78* /0(/?.* 50(781'* &91,* D,(78?.* time in office is West Hollywood’s unique71..*(.*(*A<(51*&4*.(41/)*4&,*/01*d611,*5&+> munity.

PH/*6.1'*/&*G1;*)&6*5&6<'*&7<)*G1*&6/*(7'* 8()*(7'*A&<=/=5(<<)*=79&<91'*=4*)&6*:1,1*4,&+* B=<91,* !(-1* &,* 4,&+* R1./* S&<<):&&'@* %01* /0&680/*&4*G1=78*(G<1*/&*'&*/0(/*=7*U&:71)* &,* X&7/1,1)* D(,-* &,* D&+&7(* :(.* 4&,1=87@* _6/*7&:*:1*0(91*!M_%h*517/1,.;*8()*A,='1* celebrations, and LGBT elected officials in (<<* /0&.1* N6,=.'=5/=&7.;* .&+1/0=78* /0(/* :1*

:&6<'7?/* 0(91* /0&680/* A&..=G<1* YO* )1(,.* (8&;Q*01*.().@ D,(78?.*N6+A*/&*5&67/)*A&<=/=5.*=.*1+G<1+> (/=5*&4*/0(/*.0=4/@*H7*KOIY;*(+='*(*.5(7'(<*/0(/* G,&680/*'&:7*/01*A,19=&6.*5&67/)*(..1..&,;* D,(78*/0,1:*0=.*7(+1*=7*5&7/17/=&7*4&,*/01* job, having worked in the assessor’s office (<,1(')*4&,*/01*A,19=&6.*/:&*)1(,.@*S1*G1(/* &6/* 1<1917* 5&7/17'1,.* =7* /01* 1<15/=&7;* :&7* ,11<15/=&7*=7*KOIL*(7'*KOKK;*(7'*=.*.11-=78*(* 4&6,/0*/1,+*71i/*)1(,@ %&* A6/* /0&.1* 9=5/&,=1.* =7* A1,.A15/=91;* (/* the time of his first election, Prang repre.17/1'*+&,1*A1&A<1*/0(7*(7)*&/01,*&A17<)* gay elected official in the world.

Beyond his office, Prang has lent his exA1,=1751*:=/0*G(<<&/*G&i*.6551..*/&*01<A=78* 81/* +&,1* !M_%* A1&A<1* 1<15/1'* /0,&680* 0=.* :&,-*:=/0*/01*B/&71:(<<*U1+&5,(/.*(7'*:=/0* (*71:*&,8(7=Z(/=&7*01*5&>4&67'1'*<(./*)1(,* called the LA County LGBTQ Elected Officials $..&5=(/=&7*E!$#!V"F@ LACLEO counts more than fifty members, including officials from all parts of the coun/);*+67=5=A(<*(7'*./(/1*<18=.<(/&,.;*(7'*+1+> G1,.*&4*.50&&<*G&(,'.;*:(/1,*G&(,'.;*(7'*5=/)*

clerks.

PH*(..1+G<1'*/0=.*8,&6A*/&*5&<<15/=91<)*6.1* our elected strength and influence to help =+A(5/*A&<=5)*=7*B(5,(+17/&*(7'*=7*R(.0=78> /&7;*U#;*/&*/(-1*('9(7/(81*&4*/01.1*1<15/1'* <1('1,.*:0&*0(91*(*G=881,*9&=51*=7*8&91,7> +17/*/0(7*/01*(91,(81*A1,.&7;*(7'*/&*/,(=7* /01+*(7'*1'65(/1*/01+*/&*G1*G1//1,*('9&> 5(/1.*&7*G10(<4*&4*/01*=..61.*/0(/*(,1*=+A&,/> (7/*4&,*6.;Q*D,(78*.().@ “I do believe as a senior high-level official H*711'*/&*A<()*(*,&<1*(7'*0(91*(7*=+A&,/(7/* voice in supporting our community,” he says.

"-;* G6/* :0(/* =.* /01* !$* #&67/)* (..1..&,;* anyway?

PC&G&')*-7&:.*:0(/*/01*(..1..&,*=.@*ccj* &4*A1&A<1*/0=7-*H?+*/01*86)*:0&*5&<<15/.*/(i> 1.;Q*D,(78*.().@ %01*(..1..&,*+(-1.*.6,1*/0(/*(<<*A,&A1,> /=1.*=7*/01*5&67/)*(,1*A,&A1,<)*,15&,'1'*(7'* 4(=,<)* (..1..1'* .&* /0(/* /(i1.* 5(7* G1* <19=1'* 5&,,15/<)@*H/?.*(*:&7-)*N&G;*G6/*&71*/0(/*0(.* (* G=8* =+A(5/* &7* 0&:* /01* 5=/)* ,(=.1.* +&71)* 4&,*A,&8,(+.@ 6$#78#9&1!27!0$12#3&0&1(024&56$'

SNAP benefits remain delayed — local leaders are creating their own solutions

$..1+G<)+1+G1,*X(,-*M&7Z[<1Z*0(.*(77&6751'*(*b3@J*+=<<=&7*A(,/71,.0=A*:=/0*/01*WX#$?.*a11'!$*4&&'*'=./,=G6/=&7*A,&8,(+ #$%-&.(/.+%(',0 %&'()* +(,-.* /01* 23/0* '()* &4* /01* 56,,17/* 8&91,7+17/* .06/'&:7;* /01* <&781./* :=/> 71..1'* =7* /01* 5&67/,)?.* 0=./&,)@* $.* (* ,1.6</;* A1&A<1* :0&* ,151=91* 41'1,(<* B6AA<1+17/(<* C6/,=/=&7* $..=./(751* D,&8,(+* EBC$DF* G171> fits have not received their monthly aid for C&91+G1,@* H7* !&.* $781<1.;* &91,* I@J* +=<<=&7* A1&A<1*,1<)*&7*/01.1*467'.*/&*A6,50(.1*8,&> ceries.

"7*"5/@*KL/0;*M&91,7&,*M(9=7*C1:.&+*(7> 7&6751'*/0(/*#(<=4&,7=(*N&=71'*&91,*KO*&/01,* ./(/1.* =7* .6=78* /01* ('+=7=./,(/=&7* &91,* =/.* P67<(:46<*,146.(<Q*/&*A,&9='1*BC$D*(='*1917* /0&680*=/*0(.*/01*467'.*/&*'&*.&@*%:&*41'1,(<* N6'81.* ,6<1'* =7* 4(9&,* &4* /01* <(:.6=/;* /0&680* :017*(7'*0&:*+650*(='*:=<<*G1*'=./,=G6/1'* ,1+(=7.*=75&75<6.=91@ $/* (* press briefing on Tuesday;* R0=/1* S&6.1*A,1..*.15,1/(,)*T(,&<=71*!1(9=//*./(/1'* /0(/* /01* ('+=7=./,(/=&7* =.* P46<<)* 5&+A<)=78Q* :=/0* /01* 5&6,/* &,'1,@* P%01* ,15=A=17/.* &4* /01* SNAP benefits need to understand: it’s go=78*/&*/(-1*.&+1*/=+1*/&*,151=91*/0=.*+&71)* G15(6.1*/01*U1+&5,(/.*0(91*4&,51'*/01*('> +=7=./,(/=&7*=7/&*(*91,)*67/17(G<1*A&.=/=&7;Q* !1(9=//* 5&7/=761'@* PR1* (,1* '=88=78* =7/&* (* 5&7/=78175)*467'*/0(/*=.*.6AA&.1'*/&*G1*4&,*

emergencies, catastrophes, for war.”

"7* R1'71.'()* +&,7=78;* <&5(<* <1('1,.* =7* !&.*$781<1.*01<'*/01=,*&:7*A,1..*5&741,1751 (/* /01* R1=78(,/* V(./* !&.* $781<1.* WX#$* /&* '17&6751* /01* ('+=7=./,(/=&7?.* =7(5/=&7* (7'* to discuss alternative efforts that are trying to fill the gap as SNAP aid remains suspend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`=5/&,* U&+=7861Z;* (7'* a&&'* a&,:(,'* 4&67'1,*^=5-*C(0+=(.;*M&7Z[<1Z*(77&6751'* (* A(,/71,.0=A* :=/0* /01* WX#$?.* a11'!$* A,&> 8,(+@*b3@J*+=<<=&7*0(.*G117*.156,1'*/&*467'* food distribution efforts across the county’s

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Kc*WX#$*.=/1.@ ^1.='17/.* '&* 7&/* 711'* /&* 0(91* (* WX#$* +1+G1,.0=A*/&*/(-1*A(,/@*^1.&6,51.*<=-1*8,&> 51,=1.;*:(,+*+1(<.;*(7'*0&+1*'1<=91,=1.*:=<<* G1*(9(=<(G<1*(/*9(,=&6.*/=+1.*/0,&680&6/*/01* :11-@*%01,1*(,1*56,,17/<)*7&*:11-17'*'=./,=> G6/=&7*'(/1.*<=./1'@

Assemblymember 1)&-%0',23*+2 spoke about SNAP relief at a press conference on Nov. 5th. (Photo courtesy of Erika Aoki)

%0=.*(77&6751+17/*5&+1.*=7*/01*+='./*&4* other local efforts bolstering on-the-ground BC$D* ,1<=14@* "7* %61.'();* /01* !&.* $781<1.* #&67/)*_&(,'*&4*B6A1,9=.&,.*(AA,&91'*(*+&>

/=&7 that will strengthen the Office of Food B)./1+.*E"aBF;*(*A(,/71,.0=A*G1/:117*5&67/)* <1('1,.*(7'*<&5(<*A0=<(7/0,&A=5*&,8(7=Z(/=&7.* (=+=78*/&*5,1(/1*1d6=/(G<1*4&&'*.)./1+.*4&,* ,1.='17/.@*%01*+&/=&7*:&6<'*1./(G<=.0*'11A> 1,*5&7715/=&7.*G1/:117*"aB*(7'*(<<*#&67/)* '1A(,/+17/.;*(.*:1<<*(.*./,178/017*./(/1*(7'* federal food policy coordination. %01*5&67/)*0(.*(<.&*467'1'*(*bIO*+=<<=&7* 5&7/,(5/*:=/0*/01*!&.*$781<1.*^18=&7(<*a&&'* _(7-;* :0=50* :=<<* (<<&:* /01* &,8(7=Z(/=&7* /&* A6,50(.1*+&,1*A,&'651*(7'*5,1(/1*(''=/=&7> (<*A(7/,)*(7'*4&&'*'=./,=G6/=&7*A&A>6A*.=/1.@ For many, these solutions offer a tempo,(,)* <(7'=78* A('* (.* /01)* 0&<'* &6/* 4&,* /01=,* benefits to be reinstated. “Food pantries are 7&/*N6./*A<(51.*:01,1*(*G(8*&4*4&&'*=.*0(7'1'* &6/@*%01)*(,1*(*G,='81*&4*0&A1*4&,*&6,*+&./* 96<71,(G<1* 5&++67=/=1.;Q* .(='* $+('&,;* (/* R1'71.'()?.* A,1..* 5&741,1751@* PR017* (* 4(+=<)* 5&+1.* /&* (* A(7/,);* +(7)* /=+1.* /01)* '&7?/*N6./*G,=78*(7*1+A/)*G(8@*%01)*(<.&*G,=78* :&,,=1.;* ./,1..* (7'* e/01f* 41(,* &4* 7&/* G1=78* (G<1*/&*411'*/01=,*50=<',17@*%01)*<1(91*:=/0*(* G(8*&4*4&&'*e(7'f*/01)*/(-1*:=/0*/01+*(*G=/* &4* '=87=/);* ,1<=14;* (7'* (* 411<=78* /0(/* /01)* (,1* 7&/*(<&71@Q

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the world: “We are sworn that no boy or girl, approaching the :41=623(:& (C& A1)>42>(%,& %11A& 2(& :4F1& 2942& @3(66>%D& 4=(%1,& 4C34>A&4%A&>%&291&A43F&1)13&4D4>%*X V%&2942&(429&4I(<2&291&WI(8&(3&D>3=,X&291&?(3A&WA1)>42>(%X&31H verberates through a thousand years in the West of hetero suP31:4@8&4%A&1%C(3@1A&91213(61;<4=>6:&?>29&4==&2942&>:P=>16*& $==&!MNGO&P1(P=1&?131&(%@1&2942&WI(8&(3&D>3=*X&G9<6&I1D4%&4& @(31&P3>%@>P=1&(C&!MNGO&@(::<%>28&Y&?1&466<:1&316P(%6>H I>=>28&C(3&14@9&(2913* '()*&++,&Z/Z.,&:43F6&291&[.29&4%%>)136438&(C&2942&:(:1%2*& $6&C43&46&:8&>%C(3:42>(%&42&29>6&2>:1,&46&4&D48&1=A13,&V5:&1:H I4334661A&2(&31P(32&2(&29(61&61)1%&D48&4%@162(36R&%(2&4&6>%D=1& 1)1%2&>6&P=4%%1A&>%&!*$*&2(&@(::1:(3421&2942&9>62(3>@&A421,& just as L.A. Pride occurred in WeHo on the 50th anniversary of 291&L2(%1?4==&S1I1==>(%,&291&3146(%&C(3&E3>A156&1;>621%@1,&?>29H out ever mentioning a word about Stonewall.

Why is that erasure of important LGBTQ history happening >%&!*$*&4%A&1=61?9131\&V%&P31)>(<6&432>@=16&>%&291&!$&E3(D316H 6>)1,&V&94)1&23>1A&2(&1;P=4>%&2942&1346<31&I8&291&B=>21&#4P2<31& (C& 291& !MNGO& @(::<%>28& ?>29& 2(PHA(?%& =14A1369>P,& 4& 2(24=& I=4@F(<2&(C&=(@4=&%1?6&(3&>%)162>D42>)1&](<3%4=>6:,&@(::<%>28& :1:I136&I1@(:>%D&6P1@242(36&342913&294%&P432>@>P4%26,&4%A&

%1?&@(::<%>28&:(34=&)4=<16&2942&31A<@1&1)138(%1&2(&A(%(36& and consumers.

While a very short-lived effort was made in Chicago in the +-Z/6,& ?9>@9& ?46& ^<>@F=8& I3(F1%& <P& I8& 291& P(=>@1,& 291& K42H tachine represents the first successful attempt in the U.S. at (3D4%>_>%D&9(:(61;<4=&:1%&4%A&?(:1%*&G918&<61A&291&(PH P3166(356&?(3A,&W9(:(61;<4=,X&2(&A16@3>I1&291:61=)16*&$C213& World War II, several of the men had been members of or had flirted with the U.S. Communist Party or were members of (2913&P3(D3166>)1&(3D4%>_42>(%6,&?9131&2918&=143%1A&(3D4%>_H >%D&6F>==6,&4%4=86>6&(C&6(@>4=&P3(I=1:6,&4%A&61@312&(3D4%>_>%D*&V2& ?46&2942&61@312&(3D4%>_>%D,&46&%1@166438&46&>2&:48&94)1&I11%,& 2942&I1@4:1&>26&$@9>==165&J11=*&J48&?46&F>@F1A&(<2&(C&291&#E&I8& #E&=14A13&M<6&J4==56&P<3D1&(C&F%(?%&(3&6<6P1@21A&9(:(61;<H al men and women after World War II. G91& %4:1& WK4224@9>%1X& @4:1& C3(:& 291& ?(3A& W:422>@>%>,X& (%1&(C&291&%4:16&C(3&]162136&>%&3(84=&@(<326&(C&:1A>1)4=&B<H 3(P1&?9>@9&J48&A1A<@1A&C3(:&9>6&316143@9&?131&9(:(61;<4=& men.

G91&K4224@9>%1&>6&>:P(324%2&C(3&:(31&294%&]<62&1;>62>%D&C(3& 29311&81436&`+-./H+-.ab*&V%&>26&(3>D>%4=&(3D4%>_>%D&W:4%>C162(,X& written by Hay, for the first time in U.S. history, homosexuals identified themselves as an oppressed minority group.

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War II by the French Resistance. The original seven members were on level-five and newcomers on level one, not know>%D&?9(&?46&(%&291&=1)1=6&4I()1&291:*&L<@9&(3D4%>_42>(%,&>2& ?46&C1=2&291%,&?46&%1@166438&A<1&2(&291&)>@>(<6%166&4%A&=>C1& A1623(8>%D&@(%61^<1%@16&42&2942&2>:1&I8&Q*L*&91213(&6<P31:H 4@>626&>C&9(:(61;<4=&>A1%2>28&?131&1)13&:4A1&P<I=>@*&Q%2>=&291& +-c-& L2(%1?4==& S1I1==>(%& 4%A& >26& 4C213:429,& 64%1& P434%(>4& I461A&(%&>%A>)>A<4=&P3(21@2>(%&4%A&6<3)>)4=&@9434@213>_1A&9(H :(61;<4=&314=>28* G91&K4224@9>%156&:(62&>:P(324%2&@(%23>I<2>(%&291%&?46&291& <61&(C&P3>)421&A>6@<66>(%&D3(<P6&2942&D4)1&D48&:1%&4%A&=16I>H ans, for the first time, an opportunity to talk with each other 4I(<2&291>3&=>)16&4%A&9(?&91213(&(PP3166>(%&?46&A>31@2=8&>:H pacting them. But these groups often met cautiously.

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2:+LA/.J<*)/Q@:0)*9E/#@:P<../*@+,G/;$S1/+-/@/Q)(A/2(+Q+:)3),/*2<./ OJ)()/ $/ C@-/ *2)@^/ ():@.+Q):A/ <2)-:A/ @P<0./ .J+*/ )B2)(+)-C)/ @-,/OJ@./$S1/,<+-3G/$.S*/Q)(A/)12<O)(+-3/.</P)/@P:)/.</*.@-,/ 029/-<./<-:A/L<(/1A*):L9/P0./L<(/.J)/<.J)(/.(@-*3)-,)(/*)(Q+C)/ 1)1P)(*/<0./.J)()/OJ</J@Q)/,<-)/-<.J+-3/P0./*)(Q)/O+.J/ J<-<(/@-,/,+3-+.A/@-,/P(@Q)(AGE The ban has created significant uncertainty for transgen,)(/*)(Q+C)/1)1P)(*9/OJ</-<O/L@C)/.J)/2<**+P+:+.A/<L/*)2@? (@.+<-/*<:):A/P)C@0*)/<L/.J)+(/3)-,)(/+,)-.+.AG ;_+.J/ .J+*/ P@-b/ O)/ @()/ @::/ T.(@-*/ 1+:+.@(A/ 1)1P)(*U/ <-/ .(@C^/.</P)/*)2@(@.),/L(<1/.J)/1+:+.@(AG/]</+.S*/*0CJ/@/3()@./ ,)@:/ <L/ 0-C)(.@+-.Ab/ $S1/ *.0C^/ O@+.+-39/ -<./ ^-<O+-3/ OJ@./ .<1<((<O/1+3J./P(+-3G/$/C<0:,/()C)+Q)/@/2J<-)/C@::/@-A/,@A/ *.@.+-3/.J@./.J)/*)2@(@.+<-/2(<C)**/J@*/P))-/+-+.+@.),GE While the Department of Defense specifies that most serQ+C)/1)1P)(*/O+::/()C)+Q)/@-/J<-<(@P:)/,+*CJ@(3)9/.J)/2<:? +CA/@::<O*/L<(/@/:<O)(/CJ@(@C.)(+=@.+<-/+L/@/()Q+)O/,))1*/+./ O@((@-.),G/Compensation and benefits differ depending on OJ).J)(/*)(Q+C)/1)1P)(*/<2./L<(/Q<:0-.@(A/<(/+-Q<:0-.@(A/ *)2@(@.+<-G/R<:0-.@(A/*)2@(@.+<-/C<1)*/O+.J/L0::/*)2@(@.+<-/ 2@A/@-,/-</<P:+3@.+<-/.</()2@A/P<-0*)*9/OJ+:)/+-Q<:0-.@(A/ *)2@(@.+<-/C@((+)*/:<O)(/2@A9/2<.)-.+@:/()2@A1)-./<L/P<-0*? )*9/@-,/0-C)(.@+-/*0CC)**/+-/,+*CJ@(3)/()Q+)O/2(<C)**)*G h)@:.JC@()/C<Q)(@3)/.J(<03J/#D$["D4/C<-.+-0)*/L<(/57V/ days post-discharge, but reduced benefits, including VA eli3+P+:+.A9/()1@+-/@/C<-C)(-G/#J<*)/O+.J/57iHV/A)@(*/<L/*)(Q+C)/ 1@A/ a0@:+LA/ L<(/ )@(:A/ ().+()1)-.9/ .J<03J/ )Q)-/ .J+*/ +*/ -<./

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30@(@-.)),/0-,)(/.J)/2<:+CAG #@:P<../)12J@*+=),/.J)/2)(*<-@:/@-,/2(<L)**+<-@:/.<::/<L/ the ban, reflecting on the fairness and capability of transgen,)(/*)(Q+C)/1)1P)(*G ;Z0+.)/L(@-^:A9/.J)/)Q+,)-C)/.J@./O)/J@Q)/@./J@-,/2<+-.*/ +-/.J)/C<12:).)/<22<*+.)/,+()C.+<-b/.J)()/@()/-</,<C01)-.? ),/C@*)*/.J@./$S1/@O@()/<L/<L/@/.(@-*3)-,)(/2)(*<-/J@Q+-3/@/ -)3@.+Q)/+12@C./<-/0-+./C<J)*+<-/*+12:A/PA/P)+-3/.(@-*3)-? ,)(b/Y)+-3/.(@-*3)-,)(/+*/g0*./@-<.J)(/<-)/<L/.J<*)/O@:^*/ <L/:+L)GE “When we’re losing thousands of those qualified, experi)-C),/+-,+Q+,0@:*b/.J<*)/@()/*)@.*/.J@./@()/-<./g0*./3<+-3/.</ be able to be filled by anybody … military training that’s not 3<+-3/.</P)/@P:)/.</P)/()2:@C),/L<(/A)@(*/@-,/A)@(*/.</C<1)GE #@:P<../@:*</J+3J:+3J.),/.J)/0-+a0)/,+*C+2:+-)9/,),+C@.+<-9/ @-,/ Q@:0)/ <L/ ,+Q)(*+.A/ .J@./ .(@-*3)-,)(/ *)(Q+C)/ 1)1P)(*/ bring—especially in identifying problems and finding solu.+<-*9/ ()3@(,:)**/ <L/ OJ@./ <.J)(*/ .J+-^/ <(/ *@AG/ #J@.9/ J)/ )B? 2:@+-),9/O@*/2@(./<L/J+*/g<0(-)A/<L/*):L?,+*C<Q)(A/@-,/@/^)A/ ()@*<-/J)/O@-.*/.</C<-.+-0)/*)(Q+-3/,)*2+.)/J@(*J/O<(,*/<L/ ,+*@22(<Q@:/L(<1/.J)/1)-/:)@,+-3/.J)/)B)C0.+Q)/P(@-CJG ;Y)+-3/.(@-*3)-,)(/+*/-<./*<1)/*@,/.J+-3/.J@./2)<2:)/3</ .J(<03Jb/#J+*/+*/*<1).J+-3/.J@./J@*/.@^)-/A)@(*/@-,/A)@(*/ @-,/A)@(*/<L/,),+C@.+<-/@-,/,+*C+2:+-)/@-,/()*)@(CJ/@-,/02*/ @-,/,<O-*/.</3)./.</.J)/2<+-./OJ)()/$/@1/.<,@Ab/1A/@P+:+.A/ .</.(@-*+.+<-/O@*/)**)-.+@:/.</3)..+-3/1)/.</.J@./2<+-./OJ)()/ $/@1/.<,@AGE h)/*))*/.J@./@*/@-/@**)./(@.J)(/.J@-/@/:+@P+:+.AG/YA/J@Q+-3/ @/1<()/,+Q)(*)9/O)::?(<0-,),/3(<02/<L/2)<2:)9/.J)/1+:+.@(A/ C@-/Q+)O/CJ@::)-3)*/L(<1/2)(*2)C.+Q)*/.J@./O<0:,/<.J)(O+*)/ P)/<Q)(:<<^),G/#J@./@P+:+.A/.</:<<^/@./.J+-3*/+-/@/L()*J/O@A9/ J)/)B2:@+-),9/C@-/.(@-*L<(1/@/3<<,/*)(Q+C)/1)1P)(/+-.</@/ 3()@./<-)G ;$/.J+-^/.J)/1<()/,+Q)(*)/<0(/1+:+.@(A/+*9/.J)/*.(<-3)(/<0(/ military is… We need people from all different experiences and all different perspectives, because somebody is going .</*))/.J@./CJ@::)-3)/<(/.J@./2(<P:)1/+-/@/O@A/.J@./$/O<0:,/ -)Q)(/)Q)-/.J+-^/<Lb/@-,/.J@./+*/OJ@./O)/-)),/1<()/<L/+-/ .J)/\G]G/1+:+.@(AGE Beyond operational effectiveness, Talbott emphasized .J)/*<C+@:/+12@C./<L/Q+*+P+:+.A/@-,/:)@,)(*J+2/O+.J+-/.J)/(@-^*G/ `)::<O/*<:,+)(*/<L.)-/@22(<@CJ),/J+1/L<(/30+,@-C)9/*))+-3/ J+1/@*/@/.(0*.),/()*<0(C)/P)C@0*)/<L/J+*/.(@-*3)-,)(/*.@.0*G ;$/C@-/.J+-^/<L/*)Q)(@:/+-*.@-C)*/+-/OJ+CJ/$/J@Q)/P))-/@2?

2(<@CJ),/PA/L)::<O/*<:,+)(*b/$/L)):/:+^)/A<0/@()/@/2)(*<-/$/C@-/ C<1)/.</+L/$/J@Q)/@/2(<P:)1/O+.J/j9/f/<(/kb/*<1)/2)<2:)/.@^)/ 1A/.(@-*3)-,)(/*.@.0*/@-,/,)*+3-@.)/1)/@*/@/*@L)/2)(*<-9/ *</.</*2)@^GE _+.J/.J)/@((+Q@:/<L/R).)(@-*/K@A9/.J)/Y:@,)/@*^),/OJ@./J)/ wishes the public knew about the sacrifices of transgender *)(Q+C)/1)1P)(*G/h+*/@-*O)(/O@*/1<,)*.G ;4Q)(A/ 2)(*<-/ OJ</ 20.*/ <-/ .J)/ 0-+L<(1/ +*/ )B2)C.),/ .</ make a tremendous amount of sacrifice,” Talbott said. “Who $/@1/0-,)(/.J+*/0-+L<(1/*J<0:,/J@Q)/-</P)@(+-3/<-/.J@.b/ _)/ *J<0:,-S./ P)/ 2+C^+-3/ @-,/ CJ<<*+-3/ OJ+CJ/ Q).)(@-*/ @()/ O<(.JA/<L/<0(/.J@-^*/<-/.J@./,@AGE [<-.+-0)*/@./:<*@-3):)*P:@,)GC<1G

!"#$%!"&

Supreme Court rejects Kim Davis’s effort to overturn marriage equality The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal from Kim Davis, the former Rowan County, Ky., clerk best known for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples after the landmark 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.

Following the Obergefell ruling, Davis stopped issuing marriage licenses altogether and has since filed multiple appeals seeking to challenge same-sex marriage protections. The court once again rejected her efforts on Monday. $'()*+,(-.)/,)(.00/.-, Davis sought to overturn a $100,000 monetary award she was ordered to pay to David Moore and David Ermold, a same-sex couple to whom she denied a marriage license. Her petition also urged the court to use the case as a vehicle to revisit the constitutional right to same-sex marriage.

The petition, along with the couple’s brief in opposition, was submitted to the Supreme Court on Oct. 22 and considered during the justices’ private conference on Nov. 7. Davis needed at least four votes for the court to take up her case, but Monday’s order shows she fell short.

Cathy Renna, the director of communications for the National LGBTQ Task Force, a non-profit organization that works towards supporting the LGBQ community through grassroots organizing told the Washington Blade:

“Today’s decision is not surprising given the longshot status of Davis’s claim, but it’s a relief that the Supreme Court will not hear it, given the current make up of the court itself. We hope that ),-&./0,1 at 2015 Values Voters this settles the mat17889:5!!(Blade photo by Michael Key) ter and marriage equality remains the law of the land for same-sex couples.”

Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson released the following statement: “Today, love won again. When public officials take an oath to serve their communities, that promise extends to everyone — including LGBTQ+ people. The Supreme Court made clear today that refusing to respect the constitutional rights of others does not come without consequences.

Thanks to the hard work of HRC and so many, marriage equality remains the law of the land through Obergefell v.

Hodges and the Respect for Marriage Act. Even so, we must

remain vigilant.

It’s no secret that there are many in power right now working to undermine our freedoms — including marriage equality — and attack the dignity of our community any chance they get. Last week, voters rejected the politics of fear, division, and hate, and chose leaders who believe in fairness, freedom, and the future. In race after race, the American people rejected anti-transgender attacks and made history electing pro-equality candidates up and down the ballot.

And from California to Virginia to New Jersey to New York City, LGBTQ+ voters and Equality Voters made the winning difference. We will never relent and will not stop fighting until all of us are free.”

The Log Cabin Republicans, a organization dedicated to conservative LGBTQ people, praising the Court’s decision.

“After months of hand-wringing and fear-mongering by Gay Inc., Democrats, and the media, the conservative majority on the Supreme Court sided with the American people and common sense and declined to revisit marriage equality,” Interim Executive Director Ed Williams said in a statement. “Just like Justice Amy Coney Barrett hinted at earlier this year, Obergefell is settled. Marriage equality has been, and will continue to be, the law of the land.” #$%&'%(%')%**+

Pelosi won’t seek re-election next year Rep. Nancy Pelosi, the nation’s first and only female speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and a lifelong LGBTQ ally, announced Thursday that she will not seek re-election next year, after 38 years in Congress, many of them as House party leader.

“I have truly loved serving as your voice in Congress, and I have always honored the song of St. Francis, ‘Lord make an instrument of thy peace,’ the anthem of our city. That is why I want you, my fellow San Franciscans, to be the first to know.

I will not be seeking reelection to Congress,” Pelosi, 85, announced in a video.

Pelosi has represented San Francisco in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1987.

Her time in Congress began with the AIDS crisis, and she has kept up the fight ever since, as the Washington Blade reported in an exclusive and wide-ranging 2023 interview conducted just after she left House leadership.

Some excerpts from that interview: “After committing herself and Congress to the fight against HIV/AIDS during her first speech from the floor of the House in 1987, Pelosi said some of her colleagues asked whether she thought it wise for her feelings on the subject to be “the first thing that people know about you” as a newly elected member.

“They questioned her decision not because they harbored any stigma, but rather for concern over how “others might view my service here,” Pelosi said. The battle against HIV/AIDS, she told them, “is why I came here.”

“It was every single day,” she said.

“Alongside the “big money for research, treatment, and prevention” were other significant legislative accomplishments, such as “when we] were able to get Medicaid to treat HIV [patients] as Medicaid-eligible” rather than requiring them to wait

until their disease had progressed to full-blown AIDS to qualify for coverage, said Pelosi, who authored the legislation.

“That was a very big deal for two reasons,” she said. First, because it saved lives by allowing low-income Americans living with HIV to begin treatment before the condition becomes life-threatening, and second, because “it was the recognition that we had this responsibility to intervene early.”

“Other milestones in which Pelosi had a hand include the Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS program, President Bush’s PEPFAR (President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief) initiative, the Affordable Care Act (which contains significant benefits for Americans living with HIV/AIDS), and funding for the Ending the Epidemic initiative.

“Outside the U.S. Capitol building, Pelosi has also been celebrated by the LGBTQ community for signaling her support through, for example, her participation in some of the earliest meetings of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, her meeting with the survivors of the 2016 Pulse nightclub massacre, and her appearance at a host of LGBTQ events over the years.

“Of course, at the same time, Pelosi has been a constant target of attacks from the right, which in the past few years have become increasingly violent. During the siege of the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, her office was ransacked by insurrectionists who shouted violent threats against her. A couple of weeks later, unearthed social media posts by far-right Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (Ga.) revealed she had signaled support for executing Pelosi along with other prominent House Democrats. And last October, the speaker’s husband Paul Pelosi suffered critical injuries after he was attacked by a man wielding a hammer who had broken into the couple’s San Francisco home.

“Pelosi told CNN last week that her husband is “doing OK,” but expects it will “take a little while for him to be back to nor-

!"!"!#$%&'(&)!*+,!-.-/!"!0$12#3&0&1(024&56$'

*/*2+&3%4$1, is retiring after nearly 40 years in Congress.

(Photo courtesy of the Office of Nancy Pelosi)

mal.”

“Among her fans in progressive circles, Pelosi – who has been a towering figure in American politics since the Bush administration – has become something of a cultural icon, as well. For instance, the image of her clapping after Trump’s State of the Union speech in 2019 has been emblazoned on coffee mugs.

“What is so funny about it,” Pelosi said, is rather than “that work [over] all these years as a legislator,” on matters including the “Affordable Care Act, millions of people getting health care, what we did over the years with HIV/AIDS in terms of legislation, this or that,” people instead have made much ado over her manner of clapping after Trump’s speech. And while the move was widely seen as antagonistic, Pelosi insisted, “it was not intended to be a negative thing.”

“Regardless, she said, “it’s nice to have some fun about it, because you’re putting up with the criticism all the time – on issues, whether it’s about LGBTQ, or being a woman, or being from San Francisco, or whatever it is.” #$%&'%(%')%**+

Choosing you means focusing on yourself first.

Talk to your doctor today about an HIV treatment that’s right for you for the long-term.

Learn move about HIV at ChooseUHIV.com

People featured compensated by Gilead Sciences, Inc.

GILEAD, the GILEAD Logo, CHOOSE U, and the CHOOSE U Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. © 2025 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. US-UNBC-3561 10/25

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0(*%0+6+(1')$)0,-(,)#$ 0(*%0+%7%3.,)8% SHANA WONG SOLARES swong@losangelesblade.com, 808-386-0872 '(-9%,)$5+1)-%3,#STEPHEN RUTGERS srutgers@washblade.com, 202-747-2077 x 8077 $(,)#$(*+(18%-,)0)$5 RIVENDELL MEDIA sales@rivendellmedia.com, 212-242-6863 (1')$)0,-(,)#$ PHILLIP G. ROCKSTROH prockstroh@washblade.com, 202-747-2077 x 8092 3-%(,)8%+1%0)5$:!-#1.3,)#$ MEAGHAN JUBA production@azercreative.com 1)0,-)/.,)#$ CHRISTOPHER JACKSON, 562-826-6602 All material in the Los Angeles Blade is protected by federal copyright law and may not be reproduced without the written consent of the Los Angeles Blade. The sexual orientation of advertisers, photographers, writers and cartoonists published herein is neither inferred nor implied. The appearance of names or pictorial representation does not necessarily indicate the sexual orientation of that person or persons. Although the Los Angeles Blade is supported by many fine advertisers, we cannot accept responsibility for claims made by advertisers. Unsolicited editorial material is accepted by the Los Angeles Blade, but the paper cannot take responsibility for its return. The editors reserve the right to accept, reject or edit any submission. A single copy of the Los Angeles Blade is available from authorized distribution points, to any individual within a 50-mile radius of Los Angeles, CA. Multiple copies are available from the Los Angeles Blade office only. Call for rates. If you cannot reach a convenient free distribution point, you may receive a 26-week mailed subscription for $125 per year or $5.00 per single issue. Checks can be sent to Phil Rockstroh at prockstroh@washblade.com. Or send him an email to request directions to make a payment online. Postmaster: Send address changes to the Los Angeles Blade, PO BOX 60664 Washington, DC 20039. The Los Angeles Blade is published bi-weekly, on Friday, by Los Angeles Blade, LLC. Rates for businesses/institutions are $450 per year. Periodical postage paid at Los Angeles, CA., and additional mailing offices. Editorial positions of the Los Angeles Blade are expressed in editorials and in editors’ notes as determined by the paper’s editors. Other opinions are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Los Angeles Blade or its staff. To submit a letter or commentary: Letters should be fewer than 400 words; commentaries should be fewer than 750 words. Submissions may be edited for content and length, and must include a name, address and phone number for verification. Send submissions by e-mail to gpalomera@losangelesblade.com.

2023 GLAAD Media Awards

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u’s op-ed was presented on behalf of the California LGBTQ+ HHS Network in honor of Transgender Awareness Week 2025

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%789:7!%;::9:7!:<=>8?:@!A:@=?B9!=>C:D in new film ‘Christy’ Christy Martin’s life story an inspirational tale of survival #$%&'&()%*+,)-. !"#$%&'&()*#+$,#"-&../"(*%$0"1&#$23#/.4+$5*#4/(6$(&7&#$/($*$8/%%/"($+&*#.$)/)$.3&$&1,&94$4"$ .&&$43&$#/7&4/('$.4"#+$"-$3&#$#*,/)$#/.&$4"$-*8&$"(.9#&&(: “When somebody first contacted me about turning my life into a movie, I thought they ;&#&$<"=/('6>$5*#4/($.*/)$*4$*$#&9&(4$?"%)&($?%"0&.$,#&..$&7&(4$-"#$3&#$8"7/&6$@23#/.4+:> “I was so afraid that my life would be as I call it, Hollywoodized.”

Martin was put at ease once she saw how committed co-screenwriters Mirrah Foulkes, and Australian filmmaker David Michôd were to the material, and how relentless actress Sydney Sweeney was to accurately portray her.

“Mirrah was very fair to me and treated me great on the paper … I feel like this is the most powerful group that could ever come together to tell my story,” she acknowledged.

Professional boxer Christy Martin’s life is the subject of a new film.

(Image courtesy of Black Bear - Photo by Eddy Chen)

In “Christy,” viewers see Martin’s combative spirit, in her ongoing quest to win each fight. Under her demanding coach turned manager-husband A/8$ 5*#4/($ B,%*+&)$ 0+$ C&($ !".4&#D6$ 23#/.4+$/.$-&*#%&..$/($43&$0"1/('$#/('6$ yet increasingly troubled as she deals with the pressure of her mother, sexual identity issues, drugs, and a physically abusive marriage that almost &()&)$/($)&*43: “It’s crazy to see anybody, but espe9/*%%+$ E+)6$ 0&9"8&$ 8&6>$ .3&$ 4"%)$ 43&$ Los Angeles Blade. “It’s overwhelming! A little much for a coal miner’s daughter from a small town in southern West Virginia.”

For Sweeney, who is also a produc-

(Image courtesy of Black Bear - Photo by Eddy Chen)

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er on the film, playing the courageous lesbian boxer has been a life-changing experience. “This is the most important character I have ever played.

It’s the most important story I have ever told or will tell. It’s an immense 3"("#$4"$0#/('$3&#$4"$%/-&:> F"$ 0&9"8&$ 5*#4/(6$ E;&&(&+$ worked hard to absorb as much information on her as possible.

“I had the real Christy, and then I had years and years of interviews and fight footage and her book and her documentary on Netflix that I was (Image courtesy of Black Bear - Photo by Eddy Chen) able to pull from. I like to build books for my characters, to create their entire life, from the day they’re born until the first time you meet them onscreen. So just kind of filling out the entire puzzle of Christy here.”

E;&&(&+$ .*/)$ 43&$ 8*(+$ .9&(&.$ where Martin’s mom couldn’t accept she was gay were immensely chal%&('/('$4"$0&$*$,*#4$"-: @F3*4$ ;*.$ ,#"0*0%+$ "(&$ "-$ 43&$ hardest scenes for me,” Sweeney noted. “I have very supportive parents, and I can’t imagine what it would be like to not have your mom or dad to turn to ask for help or guidance or just need support. So it was a very dif(Image courtesy of Black Bear) ficult scene to process.”

Equally challenging was the rigorous process Sweeney went through in order to become Martin in the movie.

“It was a huge physical transformation for me. I trained for two-and-a-half months before we even started filming, and I put on 35 pounds for the role, so it was a big transformation.”

As difficult as it was to deal with a film that dives into domestic violence, Sweeney was able to shake the character off when she was done at the end of each day.

“I have a rule for myself where I don’t allow any of my own thoughts or memories into a character. So when the moment they call ‘cut,’ I’m back to being Syd, and I leave it all in the scene, and that’s the story that I’m telling. Otherwise I’m just me; so I go home when I’m me.”

Martin hopes that audiences leave the theater with a sense of faith.

“I think we showed a path of how to get out of any situation that you might be in. And also, it’s very important to be true to you. Sometimes that takes a while — it took me a little while — but I’m happy to be true to me. And that’s what we want; the whole story is about being who you are.”

Sweeney would love viewers to walk away and demand to be “Christy Strong.”

“I hope that they want to be kind and compassionate to others around them, and be that helping hand. Christy’s story is singular, and yet her story of triumph, survival and continuation, supports those who are in experiences of domestic violence behind closed doors. She /.$"(&$"-$43&$'#&*4$93*8,/"(.:> E;&&(&+$%"7&.$43*4$5*#4/($/.$*%."$*$'#&*4$*)7"9*4&$"-$(&;$0"1/('$4*%&(4:$@F3*4$.,*#=$"-$%/-&$ is something that I think at the end of the day, ‘Christy’ is about– it’s the spark to keep going and be who you are proudly.”

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Guillermo Diaz reflects on his role as a queer, Latino actor in the biz while taking on the director’s hat

-)./&0.1&.&".%++%&#0.#&1D.31&$:+%&]T&8+.%1L&0+N1&10.##+%+7&1#+%+$#8D+1&.37&O$**84$$7&3$%,1&4)#0&0)1&*$36&*)1#&$9&4$%5 #$%&'()&*+(,%,-+,./0(1 !"#$%& '()**+%,$& -)./& 0.1& 2++3& 4$%5)36& 0.%7& )3& #0+& +3#+%#.)3,+3#& )37(1#%8& 9$%& $:+%& #0%++& 7+".7+1;& <%$(7& $9& 0)1& 0+%)#.6+& .37& =(++%& )7+3#)#8>& 0+& 0.1& 2%$5+3& #0%$(60& ,.38& glass ceilings to have a prolific career that includes tentpole moments such as roles in the films !"#$%&'(#)>&*")+&,"-./>&.37&,#01>&.37&)3&,.?$%&@A&10$41&*)5+&2../1&.37&34"5/")>&.37& +:+3&)3&.&B%)#3+8&CD+.%1&,(1)"&:)7+$;&@0)1&1+.1$3>&0+&,.7+&0)1&9+.#(%+E*+36#0&7)%+"#$%).*& debut with the film 6."#&78-.9&70:.&;.; F3&.3&)3#),.#+&1)#E7$43&4)#0&#0+&B*.7+>&-)./&10.%+1&#0.#&0+&.##%)2(#+1&.&*$#&$9&0)1&1(""+11& #$&0)1&G(2.3&(D2%)36)36; HI+**>&)#&D%+D.%+7&,+&#$&*+.%3&0$4&#$&*)+&%+.**8&4+**&.37&2+&.&6$$7&."#$%&2+".(1+&)#&4.1&.& *$#&$9&."#)36&*)5+&8$(&4+%+&1#%.)60#>&2."5&)3&#0+&+)60#)+1&.37&3)3+#)+1&J*.(60K;&!3$#0+%&#0)36& F&*+.%3+7&9%$,&,8&G(2.3&),,)6%.3#&D.%+3#1&)1&#0.#&#0+8&4$%5&1(D+%&0.%7;&@0+8&2$#0&0.7& #4$&?$21L&4+&4+%+&*.#"05+8&5)71>&.37&F&?(1#&1.4&#0+,&"$31#.3#*8&4$%5)36&.37&4.3#)36&#$& D%$:)7+&9$%&(1&28&.38&,+.31;&C$&#0.#&4.1&1(D+%&)31#)**+7&)3&,+;&@0.#&4.1&#0+&$3+&#0)36&#0.#& %+.**8&1#("5&$(#&#0.#&F&.7,)%+&.37&%+1D+"#;M B+1)7+1&-)./N1&%+"(%%)36&%$*+1&$3&@A>&0)1&%+1(,+&)3"*(7+1&.DD+.%.3"+1&)3&?(1#&.2$(#&+:E +%8&6+3%+&$9&D%$6%.,,)36&$(#&#0+%+;&F9&#0+%+&)1&.&,.?$%&10$4&$(#&#0+%+>&0+&4.1&D%$2.2*8& $3&)#;&7"<&"5/&=#/.#>&'(#)1>&>?.&@)01.#>&@?"AA.)).B1&3?0<>&CD>&!"#$%&0+&E(:.>&.37&#0+&*)1#&6$+1& $3;&O+N1&.""$,D*)10+7&,$%+&)3&0)1&".%++%&#0(1&9.%&#0.3&,$1#&."#$%1&7$&)3&.&*)9+#),+;&@0+%+& )1&3$&7$(2#&0+&)1&.&0.%7&4$%5+%; HF#N1&.&1)63&#0.#&F&?(1#&*$:+7&#$&4$%5>&.37&)#N1&9(338&*$$5)36&2."5&.#&)#&3$4&2+".(1+&8$(&1++& all those things, but at the time it was just the next gig, the next job. I was just wanting to keep working and acting and learning and doing all that stuff. Then it sort of accumulates, and you look back and you’re like, damn! That’s a lot of stuff!”

Acting was never on Diaz’s radar until he was asked to fill in for a friend in a Beastie Boys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hen he first hit the industry, diversity and positive representation were not a thing in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not going to hide his sexuality. Diaz appeared in the film 3$05.<")). That was the defining D$)3#&9$%&0),&)3&10.%)36&0)1&)7+3#)#8; HB+)36&".1#&)3&#0.#&0)1#$%)".*&1$%#&$9&7%.,.#)/.#)$3&$9&#0+&WSXS&C#$3+4.**&%)$#1&E&F&"$(*73N#& 2+*)+:+&F&4.1&)3&#0+&,)71#&#0.#&F&4.1&)3&#0+&,)77*+&$9&7$)36&#0)1&.37&D*.8)36&#0+&*+.7&7%.6& queen on the film. I just felt so honored, and I knew it was important, and I knew I need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!1&.&=(++%>&Q.#)3&."#$%>&-)./&)1&.**&#$$&.4.%+&$9&40.#&)1&0.DD+3)36&D$*)#)".**8&.37&1$").**8& )3&#0+&4$%*7&#$4.%71&,)3$%)#8&"$,,(3)#)+1;&-$+1&0+&#0)35&."#$%1&0.:+&.&D*."+&)3&D$*)#)"1Z “For sure. I mean, we’re people first, right? Like, I hate when people sort of are like, oh, 8$(N%+&.3&."#$%>&10(#&(D;&FN,&1(D+%&D$*)#)".*&.37&$(#1D$5+3>&.37&FN,&#0.#&6(8&40$&4)**&1.8& 10)#;&FN,&$3&#0+&%)60#&1)7+&$9&0)1#$%8>&.#&*+.1#;&FN,&3$#&2+)36&"$,D*)")#&.37&1)*+3#;&C$>&8+.0>&F& #0)35&."#$%1&9$%&1(%+&0.:+&.&D*."+&)3&D$*)#)"1;&!21$*(#+*8;M

I0)*+&7)%+"#)36&4.1&$3&-)./N1&%.7.%>&)#&4.13N#&1$,+#0)36&#0.#&0+&4.1&."#):+*8&1+.%"0)36& $(#;&B(#&.1&*)9+&4$(*7&0.:+&)#>&0)1&9%)+37&[.**)+&["G$43&1+3#&0),&0+%&1"%)D#&9$%&6."#&78-.9& 70:.&;., a film she would play the lead in. Diaz was hooked.

HF#&4.1&$3+&$9&#0$1+&1"%)D#1&#0.#&F&0.7&#$&5++D&D(##)36&7$43&+:+%8&*)5+&\T&D.6+1;&F&4$(*7& D(#&)#&7$43&2+".(1+&F&7)73N#&4.3#&)#&#$&+37;&F#&4.1&1$&6$$7;&Y%)6)3.**8>&F&4.1&?(1#&6$)36&#$& come on as a producer of the film, and then the director dropped out, and then Mallie .15+7&,+&)9&F&4.1&)3#+%+1#+7&)3&7)%+"#)36;&F&4.1&1".%+7&.1&10)#;&F&0.7&3+:+%&7)%+"#+7&.&9+.#(%+& film. But I was like, it’s now or never.”

The film covers a decade of the friendship between Penny and Luke, covering themes of platonic love, asexuality, co-dependence, and self-identity. With most of the film focusing on just the two leads, Diaz has crafted an intimate and raw film. What is his message with the film?

H@0.#&*$:+&)1&"$,D*)".#+7>&2(#&)#N1&2+.(#)9(*&.37&%+4.%7)36&.37&4$%#0&.**&#0+&0+.%#."0+;& I believe that. I don’t want to give away too much in the film either, but I think everyone ".3&%+*.#+&#$&)#&2+".(1+&#0+%+N1&0+.%#."0+&.37&#0+%+N1&D.)3>&.37&#0+%+N1&2+.(#8&.37&#0+%+N1& *$:+;M !37&)3&*$$5)36&.#&0)1&D.1#&4$%5&.37&)3&*$$5)36&#$4.%7&0)1&9(#(%+&".%++%>&40.#&5)37&$9& *+6."8&7$+1&-)./&4.3#&#$&2()*7Z H@0.#&F&2%$5+&1$,+&6%$(37>&#0.#&F&53$"5+7&7$43&1$,+&4.**1&.1&.3&.%#)1#L&FN,&0$D)36&#0.#& made a difference. It’s funny because when you’re in it, you’re not thinking about all this stuff that could possibly pave the way for other people. You’re just kind of moving along .37&*):)36&8$(%&*)9+;&B(#&8+.0>&F&4$(*7&0$D+&#0.#&F&2%$5+&7$43&1$,+&4.**1&.1&.&=(++%&Q.#)3$; F&0$D+&#0.#&D+$D*+&".3&1$%#&$9&6+#&1$,+#0)36&$(#&$9&,+&#%8)36&#$&*):+&.1&.(#0+3#)".**8&.1& F&".3>&?(1#&2+)36&,8&=(++%&1+*9;&O$D+9(**8>&#0.#&0+*D1&1$,+$3+&.*$36&40$&)1&0.:)36&1$,+& #%$(2*+1&2+)36&.""+D#+7&$%&2+)36&"$,9$%#.2*+&4)#0&40$&#0+8&.%+;M

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By MATT MINTON !"#$%&' ()*++,-' ."/' ."0' 1)*2%' 2.%' %32#"4#0*-"#&' &%"#5' 6#47'7"8*-9'4-%'+"/2'/24:'"2'2.%';77&/'64#'2.%'/*32.'"-0' final season of the hilarious !"#$%!&%'(%)*%$"&%+"#,(-.5'"<2= *-9'"+4-9/*0%'>)8"/'("9%'"-0'?4:.*%'@."2<.%#'*-'2.%'.4#= #4#'<47%0&'/(01#*)(*5 24'<4-2*-)*-9'24'$4*<%'"<2'*-'/.4A/' +*8%'2#34&5%67)**%"-0'8)9:&5%8(7.&%;7*"(7.&B C)2'.%D/'4-+&'E)/2'9%22*-9'/2"#2%0B FG'9)%//'*-'7&'.%"05'G'."$%'/4'7)<.'74#%'24'045H'()*++,-' 2%++/'<"&%=4#,&%"62%#'#%<%*$*-9'2.%'@#)2.'G<4-'IA"#0'"2'2.%' J"*K"04' L%/2*$"+' M"<8' *-' I)9)/2B' FGD7' E)/2' 9%22*-9' /2"#2%05' and then when they read out 70-something film and show <#%0*2/'24'7&'-"7%5'G'A"/'+*8%5'NO."2PD'C%<")/%'GD7'-42'8%%:= *-9'/<4#%'46'2.%':#4E%<2/'GD7'04*-9B'G2'M+%A'7&'7*-0'M%<")/%' *-'7&'.%"05'G'<4-/2"-2+&'2.*-8'2.*/'*/'E)/2'2.%'M%9*--*-9BH Guillén brings flair to every red carpet and has the goal of becoming the first queer Latino person nominated at 2.%';77&/'64#'M%/2'/)::4#2*-9'"<24#'*-'"'<47%0&B'C)2'M%= &4-0'.*/'4-=/<#%%-'$*/*M*+*2&5'2.%'>BIB=-"2*$%'#%<49-*K%/'2.%' )-*1)%'4::4#2)-*2&'$4*<%'"<2*-9':#4$*0%/B FG7"9*-%' "' :+"<%' A.%#%' &4)' <"-' M%' <#%"2*$%5' A.%#%' "++' &4)#'2"+%-2'*/'M"/%0'-42'4-'A."2'&4)'+448'+*8%5'-42'.4A'2"++' &4)' "#%5' -42' &4)#' M"<89#4)-0' Q' E)/2' &4)#' $4*<%5H' ()*++,-' says, reflecting on notable roles in >7..% )*% =(($.?% <"&% @#.$% !)."%"-0'!)."B'FI-0'2."2D/'"::%"+*-95'M%<")/%'$4*<%4$%#'*/' 2.%'."#0%/2':+"<%'24'9%2'*-24B'G2D/'2.%'4-%':+"<%'2."2D/'%$%-' 74#%'A%+<47*-9'2."-'"-&'46'2.%'42.%#'0%:"#27%-2/BH ()*++,-'/"2'04A-'A*2.'<"&%=4#,&%24')-:"<8'2.%'%$4+)2*4-' 46'.*/'#%0'<"#:%2'+448/5'/"&*-9'9440M&%'24'.*/'!"#$%!&%'(% )*%$"&%+"#,(-.%6"7*+&5'4-+&'#%<%-2+&'M%*-9'"++4A%0'M"<8'*-' his Altadena home following the devastating wildfires, and A"-2*-9' 24' *-/:*#%' 42.%#' 1)%%#' >"2*-4' 7%-' A*2.' M42.' .*/' 4-=/<#%%-'"-0'$4*<%'"<2*-9'A4#8B'@.*/'*-2%#$*%A'."/'M%%-' %0*2%0'"-0'<4-0%-/%0B

!"#$%&' ()*' )+' ,+-.&*,/0&' 1&).2' )+*' 3$*' 0"%&' 4"' 54).4' off by hearing about the inspiration for your red carpet fashion. It really stands out. @."2'A"/'!"##&'!"+%%-5'"-0'G'2.*-8'.%D/'"'9#%"25'"7"K*-9' 0%/*9-%#B'O%'E)/2'A4#8'A*2.'A."2'A%'"+#%"0&'."$%B'I/'"'M*9' M4&5'G'"+A"&/'+*8%'24'"<<%-2)"2%'<)#$%/5'"-0'A%'A"-2%0'24' 04'2.*/'/."#:'/.4)+0%#5'M#*-9*-9'*2'M"<8'24'2.%'NRS/''5*#.$5 747%-25'M)2'"+/4'"':+)-9*-9'-%<8+*-%5'A.*<.'7"0%'*2'*-24' "'<4#/%2=+448*-9'24:B'@.%'.*9.=A"*/2%0':"-2/'9"$%'2.*/'<44+5' almost triangle-cinch look. The pants and outfit were re= "++&' <4764#2"M+%' 24' M%' *-5' "-0' G' ."0' "' +4-95' 0#":*-9' <":%' "22"<.%0'24'2.%/%':"-2/B'O.%-'&4)'+448'*-'2.%'6#4-25'&4)' /%%':"-2/5'"-0'2.%-'A.%-'&4)'A"+8'"A"&5'&4)'/%%'"'94A-B G' /2"#2%0' A4#8*-9' A*2.' 7&' /2&+*/25' T%+$*-5' "62%#' &%"#/' 46' styling myself. I finally found someone who wanted to show off and make a good impression with fashion choic= %/B'@."2'A"/'-%$%#'"-'4:2*4-'64#'7%'M%<")/%'-4'4-%'A"-2= %0' 24' 0#%//' ):' "' M*9' 9)&B' U4' 4-%' A4)+0' A"-2' 24' 2"8%' "' <."-<%5' 4#' 2.%*#' "-/A%#' A"/' "+A"&/5' FO%' E)/2' 04-D2' 8-4A' A.%#%'24'/.4:'64#'&4)BH'@."2D/'#*0*<)+4)/'Q'6"/.*4-'/.4)+0' M%' 64#' %$%#&4-%5' -42' E)/2' 64#' /"7:+%=/*K%' 740%+/B' ?4' 2.*/' A.4+%'&%"#5'A%D$%'2"8%-'2."2'E4)#-%&'249%2.%#B'O%'A"-2'24' 7"8%'*2'<+%"#'2."2'6"/.*4-'*/'64#'%$%#&4-%5'"-0'2.%'M*9'M4&/' <"-'M%'6"/.*4-"M+%B !"#$%!&%'(%)*%$"&%+"#,(-.%ended this past year with its sixth season. How do you look back on your experi6 ence being a part of that show for so many reasons and receiving so many Emmy nominations?

O%D$%' M%%-' 04*-9' 2.*/' 64#' /*3' /%"/4-/5' "-0' *2' #%"++&' 6%+2' M*22%#/A%%2' M%<")/%' %$%#&' 2*7%' A%' 94' 24' 2.%' ;77&/5' A%' /%%'"'-%A'/.4A'<47%'4-'M4"#05'A%'7%%2'2.%7'"-0'2.%&D#%' "+A"&/'/4'-*<%B'L#47'ABB($$%C4&0&*$#35%"-0'V)*-2"'C#)-= /4-'<47*-9'):'24')/'"-0'/"&*-9'.4A'7)<.'2.%&'+4$%'2.%' show when their first season was on the air — now she’s M%<47%'"'6#*%-0'Q'24'?%2.'J49%-'6#47'<"&%+$7,)(%/"&*-9' .4A' 7)<.' .%' +4$%/' 2.%' /.4AB' I-0' $*<%' $%#/"B' W4)' 8-4A5' <47%0&'*/'."#0B'I7&'X4%.+%#'#%<%-2+&'/"*0'2."2'/47%2*7%/' 2.%'I<"0%7&'IA"#0/'/-)M'<47%0*%/'"-0'04-D2'#%"++&'2"8%' 2.%7'/%#*4)/+&B'G'2.*-8'2."2D/'-42'6"*#'M%<")/%'7"8*-9':%4= :+%'<#&'*/'%"/&5'7"8*-9':%4:+%'+")9.'*/'."#0B'C%<")/%'4)#' show had such a specific storyline with vampires, some= 2*7%/' A."2' 942' +4/2' *-' 2.%' #%<49-*2*4-' A"/' 2"8*-9' *2' "/' "' /%#*4)/'/.4AB'C%<")/%'2.%'A#*2*-9'*/'*-<#%0*M+%5'2.%'"<2*-9' */':.%-47%-"+5'&%2'%$%#&2.*-9'M)2'2.%'"<24#/'942'-47*-"2= ed. We never got nominations except last year, for the first 2*7%5'T"22'C%##&'942'2.%'-47*-"2*4-B'O%'A%#%'#442*-9'64#' .*75'A%'A%#%'"++'#442*-9'64#'&4)P'O%'A"-2%0'.*7'24'2"8%' .47%'2.%'"A"#05'"-0'*2'0*0-D2'."::%-B'C)2'A%'"2'+%"/2'942' 2.%'-47*-"2*4-B L4#'7%':%#/4-"++&5'*2'A"/'"'94"+'M%<")/%'G'A"-2%0'24'M%' the first queer Latino to be nominated for a supporting role *-'"'<47%0&B'@."2'A4)+0'."$%'7"0%'.*/24#&B'I-0'/4'%$%-' *6'G'0*0-D2'A*-5'G'A"/'+*8%5'FI2'+%"/2'*6'G'9%2'-47*-"2%05'A%D++' 7"8%'.*/24#&BH'@."2D0'M%'<44+'24'4:%-'2.%'044#'64#'"-42.%#' 1)%%#'>"2*-4'A.4'<47%/'"62%#'7%5'"-0'*2'0*0-D2'."::%-B

Hopefully, that history can be made soon. I also know you’re an L.A. native, and your Altadena house was damaged in the January fires. There have been struggling production rates, and the ICE raids. What has it been like to see all these changes in L.A. and also these moments where people have come together to support the community?

G2D/'M%%-'24)9.B'G2D/'M%%-'"'#4)9.'&%"#B'G'A"/'E)/2'"++4A%0' to come back to my home about a month ago. They finally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went back home and saw a red ball of fire in the dis= 2"-<%B' G' A"/' +*8%5' F@."2' */' A"&' 244' <+4/%5H' "-0' 2.%&' 0*0-D2' %$"<)"2%')/B'@.%'A*-0/'A%#%'ZSS'7*+%/':%#'.4)#'2."2'-*9.25' "-0' 2.%#%' A%#%' /:"#8/' *-' 2.%' "*#5' "7M%#' 6"++*-9' 6#47' 2.%' /8&B' G' #%7%7M%#' 2.*-8*-95' FG' E)/2' M4)9.2' 2.*/' .4)/%B' GD7' "' first-generation homeowner.” I had just shown this house 24' 7&' T47' "-0' 2#*<8%0' .%#' 4$%#' 2.%' [.#*/27"/' M#%"8' 24' 2.*-8'2."2'G'."0'#%-2%0'"-'I*#M-M5'"-0'2.%-'A.%-'/.%'942' 24'2.%'I*#M-M5'G'24+0'.%#'G'M4)9.2'*2B'@4'/%%'.%#'6"<%5'24'/%%' that her son bought a home in America for the first time… *2'A"/'$%#&'/%-2*7%-2"+B'G'E)/2'#%7%7M%#'2.*-8*-9'46'"++'2."25' 94*-9' M"<8' *-' 2.%' M"<8&"#0' "-0' "/8*-9' "-<%/24#/' 24' +448' "62%#'7&'.4)/%B G2D/' "+74/2' +*8%' "' 0*/2#"<2*4-' 24' 7&/%+6' 24' <#%"2%' "' 0*/= 2#"<2*4-'64#'42.%#/5'M%<")/%'G'0*/2#"<2'7&/%+6'M&'<#%"2*-9'"' 74$*%5'/.4A5'4#'<47%0&B'G2D/'2.%#":%)2*<'64#'7%'24'-42'M%' 64<)/%0' /4' 7)<.' %$%#&' 0"&' 4-' 2.%' *-/"-*2&' 2."2' */' *-/)#= ance and fire and all that. But along the way, we wanted to )/%'2.%'"#2/'24'.%+:5'/4'G'0*0'"-'%$%-*-9'A.%#%'A%'#"*/%0' money for street vendors, who are also being affected by G[;'*-'?4)2.%#-'["+*64#-*"B'O%'"+/4'0*0'"'#%"0'46'+71&3B#,% /2#%"7*-9' 4-+*-%' A*2.' (+4#*"' ["+0%#\-' ]^%++%22_' 24' #"*/%' 74-%&5' 24' 04-"2%' 74-%&' 24' 4#9"-*K"2*4-/' 2."2' .%+:' :%4= :+%B' Y)/2' 9%22*-9' M"<8' 24' /47%' 8*-0' 46' -4#7"+*2&5' A.*<.' */' hard this year with ICE and the fires and everything. And "+/45'A.%#%'A%'"#%'A*2.'2.%'?2"2%'46'2.%'`-*4-'"-0'E)/2'*-' 9%-%#"+'"/'.)7"-'M%*-9/B'G2D/'M%%-'"'24)9.'&%"#5'M)2'4-%' 2.*-9'GD$%'+%"#-%0'*/'2."2'*-'2*7%/'+*8%'2.*/'Q'*-'.*/24#&5'*-' 2.%'6)2)#%'Q'&4)D++'"+A"&/'-%%0'"-'%/<":%B'@."2'7%"-/'%-= 2%#2"*-7%-2'"-0'"<24#/'"#%'74#%'*7:4#2"-2'2."-'%$%#B'O%' are needed. I’m not a first responder, but what I can do is :#4$*0%'"-'%/<":%5'"-0'GD++'<4-2*-)%'24'04'2."2'"/'+4-9'"/'G' <"-B !"#$%#&'()*$)+"(*#,'+'(-+*.'/!"0

+"(*#,'+'(-+*.'/!"0)1)#"2'0-'3)456)7879)1)78

BOOKS

'<?!@;;A!:BC:=BC:9D! =;8C!:BD9;E7!;F #(*GH!;IIE<DDB;8 ‘Queer Enlightenments’ a reminder that /1+54%6/"7#/(#1'"$/18#1+, A7(B)CCD(EF49DF4)GH)I)C !"#$%&#"'#("%)"#('*+,$+)+.$+#&/(0)/*/1%"/'12#"$+#3+)(+04"/'12#"$+#/1+54%6/"72#/"#$%&#%#6%410$/18#3'/1"-#9%1#7'4#34"# your finger on that date? Was it DADT, the 1950s scare, the Kinsey report? Certainly not Stonewall, or the Marriage Act, so where did it come from? In “Queer Enlightenments: A Hidden History of Lovers, Lawbreakers, and Homemakers” by Anthony Delaney, the story of queer oppression goes back so much farther.

The first recorded instance of the word “homosexual” arrived loudly in the spring of 1868: Hungarian journalist Károly Mária Kerthbeny wrote a letter to German activist Karl Heinrich Ulrichs referring to “same-sex-attracted men” with that new term. Many people believe that this was the “invention” of homosexuality, but Delaney begs to differ.

“Queer histories run much deeper than this…” he says.

Take, for instance, the delightfully named Mrs. Clap, who ran a “House” in London in which men often met other men for “marriage.” On a February night in 1726, Mrs. Clap’s House was raided and 40 men were taken to jail, where they were put in filthy, dank confines until the courts could get to them. One of the men was ultimately hanged for the crime of sodomy. Mrs. Clap was pilloried, and then disappeared from history.

William Pulteney had a duel with John, Lord Hervey, over insults flung at the latter man.

The truth: Hervey was, in fact, openly a “sodomite.” He and his companion, Ste Fox had even set up a home together.

Adopting your lover was common in 18th century London, in order to make him a legal heir. In about 1769, rumors spread that the lovely female spy, the Chevalier d’Éon, was actually Charles d’Éon de Beaumont, a man who had been dressing in feminine attire for much longer than his espionage career. Anne Lister’s masculine demeanor often left her an “outcast.” And as George Wilson brought his bride to North American in 1821, he confessed to loving men, thus becoming North America’s first official “female husband.”

Sometimes, history can be quite dry. So can author Anthony Delaney’s wit. Together, though, they work well inside “Queer Enlightenments.”

Undoubtedly, you well know that inequality and persecution aren’t new things - which Delaney underscores here - and queer ancestors faced them head-on, just as people do today. The twist, in this often-chilling narrative, is that punishments levied on 18th- and 19th-century queer folk was harsher and Delaney doesn’t soften those accounts for readers. Read this book, and you’re platform-side at a hanging, in jail with an ally, at a duel with a complicated basis, embedded in a King’s court, and on a ship with a man whose new wife generously ignored his secret. Most of these tales are set in Great Britain and Europe, but North America features some, and Delaney wraps up thing nicely for today’s relevance.

While there’s some amusing side-eyeing in this book, “Queer Enlightenments” is a bit on the heavy side, so give yourself time with it. Pick it up, though, and you’ll love it til the end.

!"!"!#$%&'()#)%*#&+),-$.!"!'$/).*)0!123!4546

#$%&&'()*+,-./&*0&*/12(3(4,55&*(4,1/6'7(68(96:&'1; 9<=>'&<?&'1;(<*5(460&0<?&'1@ *7!&89:;87!+<=>8<7

c.2025, Atlantic Monthly Press : $30 : 352 pages

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