Issuu

the pride

07.10.2020 – 07.23.2020 ISSUE NUMBER 38, VOLUME 9 | JULY 10 – JULY 23, 2020

WWW.THEPRIDELA.COM

LOS ANGELES

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THE LOS ANGELES LGBT NEWSPAPER

Black Trans Lives Continue to Be Targeted

Black transgender woman shot in Los Angeles By TimoThy miChaeL

Los Angeles is one of the most progressive cities in the country however trans people continue to be the target of violence. As was the case on June 30th when police responded to a call at 15th street/Hooper Avenue in the early evening around 7:10 p.m. Upon arriving they located a female Black transgender victim, who appeared to be in her 20’s, in an alley near an abandoned industrial building suffering from a single gunshot wound. The victim was transported to a local hospital and is in critical condition. LGBTQ+ liaison, LAPD Assistant Chief Beatrice M. Girmala noted that the type of weapon, motive, and the assailants were unknown and that LAPD Robbery-Homicide investigators from the department’s Central Division were in charge of the case. This is not the first time a transgendered woman has been attacked in the downtown LA area. On March 23rd, 2016 around 5 p.m. on a busy sidewalk in front dozens of witnesses, Kourtney Youchum was shot and killed while walking outside her home near downtown LA’s skid row. When police arrived Kourtney was pronounced dead at the scene. The number of transgender people who were crime victims in Los Angeles jumped 49 percent to 67 percent in 2019, highlighting the vulnerability this marginalized group faces. On the brighter side, one reason behind the sharp rise of cases, might be that law enforcement is taking crimes involving transgender victims more seriously and that victims are feeling more empowered to report them. According to the LAPD, in the case of the victim of the shooting on June 30th whose name has not been released, no arrests have

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

been made. An LA LGBT Center statement reads “Our grief is coupled with outrage at the epidemic of violence against trans people in this country, especially Black trans women.” The statement continued “We call upon all

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people of good conscience to work together to help end the senseless and tragic violence against transgender people. This will require addressing the underlying conditions of antitransgender bias and racism that increase the risk of violence for all trans women, particularly trans women of color.”

TAX

There have been 18 recorded murders of trans and gender non-conforming people in the U.S. in 2020, and five killings of Black trans and gender non-conforming people this year, according to the Los Angeles LGBT Center.

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LOS ANGELES

Virtual Fundraiser Held for Black Trans Organization Unique Woman’s Coalition holds first virtual fundraiser By Timothy Rodriguez According to HRC.org, 2020 has already seen at least 21 transgender or gender nonconforming people fatally shot or killed by other violent means. With the numbers of trans people being murdered through the United States especially targeting trans people of color on the rise, the Unique Women’s Coalition is holding a virtual fundraiser for black trans people. The Unique Woman’s Coalition (UWC) announced this month it will be holding their first virtual fundraiser event Unique Woman’s Coalition Community Celebration on July 11 at 3pm PT / 6pm ET. The fundraiser will be hosted by Drag Race alumna Gia Gunn and founder of Unique Woman’s Coalition Chela Demuir. It will be streamed on YouTube with all proceeds going to the Unique Woman’s Coalition. When speaking of UCW’s first attempt at doing a fundraiser online, Chela Dumuir stated, “It’s very different doing an event virtually. It’s uncharted territory. But we are excited. It’s downbeat productions which is the producer of our event and I’m so secure that we are going to have a highly successful, high energy event and it will set a standard for virtual events in the future.” The event will feature musical performances from notable black trans artists including: cultural ambassador of Bounce music Big Freedia, singer/songwriter Shea Diamond, Grammy-nominated songwriter Jaila Simms, drag queen Calypso Jete Balmain from HBO MAX’s Legendary, Atlanta-based artist/

Photo: Joshua Hunt

Founder of UWC Chela Dumuir.

musician Royce Hall, singer and poet Kyler O’Neal, musician Teyana Trendz, and singer/ songwriter Neverending Nina. Downbeat Entertainment LLC will produce the fundraiser event. The UWC was founded in 1997 as a direct response to a need to have coordinated efforts to empower, elevate and add to the quality of

life of black trans people. UWC is the first Los Angeles based supportive organization for and by Transgender people of color. UWC’s efforts aim to enhance and add to the quality of life by creating safe spaces and platforms to elevate and empower the voices and narratives of Trans people of color. When asked why this event was so

important founder Chela Dumuir said “First and foremost it’s important, as an organization, for us to have this ability. It’s important for us to establish equity. We want to be at the tables that make the decisions that go to our funding. Funding that we can use to elevate our lives such as funding for housing, education and healthcare.”

Senate Passes Senator Wiener’s Legislation on LGTBQ Data Collection

SB 932 will mandate the state collect sexual orientation/gender identity data of those being tested and treated for COVID-19 By Staff Writer

Last month Senator Scott Wiener’s legislation (D-San Francisco) SB 899, SB 855 and SB 932, passed the Senate. They will now head to the Assembly. All three are critical pieces of legislation that will help California mitigate negative ramifications of

COVID-19, including its health impacts on the LGTBQ community, and the increase of mental health challenges and substance use disorders as a result of COVID-19-related stress. Additionally, SB 899 will significantly increase the affordable housing supply in California, which will help address the severe housing crisis we currently face that will only be made worse by the economic fallout, increased poverty and job losses resulting from COVID-19 and the economic shutdown. SB 855, introduced in January with coauthor Senator Jim Beall (D-San Jose), will require insurance companies to cover all medically necessary mental health care and substance use disorder treatments, not just emergency crisis care treatment. SB 855 is

Data Collection, see page 8

Sen. Scott Wiener

Photo: Facebook

07.10.2020 – 07.23.2020

LOS ANGELES

WHEN IT’S HARD BELLY (EXCESS VISCERAL ABDOMINAL FAT)

IT MAY BE TIME FOR EGRIFTA SV

IF YOU ARE LIVING WITH HIV AND LIPODYSTROPHY ASK YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER ABOUT EGRIFTA SV TM.

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS ABOUT EGRIFTA SV (TESAMORELIN FOR INJECTION) TM

What is EGRIFTA SV (tesamorelin for injection)? • EGRIFTA SV is an injectable prescription medicine used to reduce excess abdominal fat in adult patients living with HIV and lipodystrophy. EGRIFTA SV is a growth hormone-releasing factor (GHRF) analog. • EGRIFTA SV is not for weight loss management. • The long-term safety of EGRIFTA SV on the heart and blood vessels (cardiovascular) is not known. • It is not known whether taking EGRIFTA SV helps improve how well you take your antiretroviral medications. • It is not known if EGRIFTA SV is safe and effective in children, do not use in children. TM

You should not take EGRIFTA SV if you: • Have a pituitary gland tumor, surgery, or other problems related to your pituitary gland, or have had radiation treatment to your head or head injury. • Have active cancer. • Are allergic to tesamorelin or any of the ingredients in EGRIFTA SV . • Are pregnant or become pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop using EGRIFTA SV and talk with your healthcare provider. • Are less than 18 years of age. TM

Before using EGRIFTA SV , tell your healthcare provider if you: • Have or have had cancer. • Have problems with blood sugar or diabetes. • Have scheduled heart or stomach surgery. • Have breathing problems. • Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. • Are taking any other prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

• Swelling or fluid retention. Call your healthcare provider if you have swelling, an increase in joint pain, or pain or numbness in your hands or wrist. • Increase in blood sugar (glucose) or diabetes. • Injection site reactions. Injection site reactions are a common side effect of EGRIFTA SV , but may sometimes be serious. • Increased risk of death in people who have critical illness because of heart or stomach surgery, trauma of serious breathing (respiratory) problems has happened when taking certain growth hormones.

EGRIFTA SV may cause serious side effects including: • Increased risk of new cancer in HIV positive patients or your cancer coming back (reactivation). Stop using EGRIFTA SV if any cancer symptoms come back. • Increased levels of your insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). Your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check your IGF-1 levels while you are taking EGRIFTA SV . • Serious allergic reaction such as rash or hives anywhere over the body or on the skin, swelling of the face or throat, shortness of breath or trouble breathing, fast heartbeat, feeling of faintness or fainting, itching and reddening or flushing of the skin. If you have any of these symptoms, stop using EGRIFTA SV and get emergency medical help right away.

The most common side effects of EGRIFTA SV include: • Pain in legs and arms • Muscle pain These are not all of the possible side effects of EGRIFTA SV . For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or to THERA patient support® toll-free at 1-833-23THERA (1-833-238-4372). This information is not intended to replace discussions with your doctor. For additional information about EGRIFTA SV , go to: www.egriftasv.com for the full Prescribing Information, Patient Information and Patient Instructions for Use, and talk to your doctor. For more information about EGRIFTA SV contact THERA patient support® toll-free at 1-833-23THERA (1-833-238-4372).

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LOS ANGELES

WeHo Commends the Supreme Court Supreme court strikes down Alabama abortion law By TimoThy RodRiguez The city of West Hollywood voiced its opinion on the Supreme Courts’ decision to strike down Louisiana abortion law. In a statement released to the press, The City of West Hollywood commended the Supreme Court for its ruling that repeals the highly restrictive Louisiana Law (Act 620) that would have required physicians performing abortions in clinics to have admitting privileges and to be a physician in good standing at a local hospital in order to be able to perform abortions. City of West Hollywood Mayor Lindsey P. Horvath said “Today’s Supreme Court decision is enormously important in the fight to protect access to safe and legal abortion,”

Horvath continued saying, “The Court’s ruling re-affirms a woman’s right to choose to seek an abortion, as in both the landmark Roe v. Wade U.S. Supreme Court decision issued on January 22, 1973 and the 2016 ruling in the Whole Woman’s Health case in Texas. Act 620 was a blatant attempt by anti-choice extremists to close abortion clinics, intimidate medical professionals, and oppress women in Louisiana, with the goal of making it federal court precedent. While we cannot take anything for granted, today’s decision is a sign of hope that the Supreme Court will continue to affirm the precedent set forth in Roe v. Wade. We will not sit by and we will not back down. All women everywhere must have control over our bodies, our decisions, and our lives. We must remain vigilant to guard a woman’s right to reproductive freedom.” The City of West Hollywood has always supported women and women’s fight for equal rights. In 1993 it was the first city in the nation

to declare itself pro-choice and the City of West Hollywood has continually supported state and federal legislation protecting and advancing women’s reproductive rights and access to healthcare. The City also has a Women’s Advisory Board, which is involved in a myriad of programming and events that recognize and support women in the community. Melaney

Lubey, chair of the women’s advisory board shared her feelings on the SCOTUS’s decision saying. The City of West Hollywood prides itself on the inclusivity of its 35,000 residents that include LGBT activists, seniors and advocates for affordable housing as well as it’s strong progressive political voice.

First and Only Gay Sports Bar in LA Closes COVID-19 impacting West Hollywood bar and dining scene By TimoThy RodRiguez

COVID-19 has taken a harsh toll on the United States economy and because of mandatory closures restaurants and bars in cities like West Hollywood and others throughout Los Angeles County are beginning to feel the pressure, including the closures of

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other indoor activities. The closure of indoor in-person dining at restaurants includes restaurants in the City of West Hollywood, which is in the jurisdiction

WeHo bar, see page 5

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National Center for Lesbian Rights Responds to Supreme Court Decisions on Religious Employers and Contraceptive Coverage Under ACA The Supreme Court issued two important decisions this week that significantly change the relationship between freedom of religion and anti-discrimination protections. In Our Lady of Guadalupe School v. Morrissey-Berru, the Court ruled 7 to 2, in an opinion authored by Justice Alito, in favor of two religious schools who argued that they had a constitutionally protected right to fire teachers whose duties included teaching religion, even if the schools’ actions would otherwise violate federal anti-discrimination laws prohibiting discrimination based on age or disability. The Court held that religious employers may avoid anti-discrimination laws that protect employees if the employer believes that particular employees play an “important” religious role. Justices Sotomayor and Ginsburg dissented. “While the immediate impact of the Court’s ruling is limited to teachers who were required to teach religion and lead prayers as part of their duties, the Court’s analysis is disturbingly broad and appears to open the door to sweeping new exemptions to anti-

WeHo bar, from page 4

of Los Angeles County. Takeout, pickup, curbside, and outdoor dining will be continued to be permitted at restaurants in adherence with infection control protocols established by LA County Public Health. The decision by Governor Newsom was made after information, according to LA County Public Health, showed that there has been a sharp increase in new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. The timing of these increases is in line with the reopening of key sectors, including bars and restaurants, which are places where people remove their face coverings to eat and drink while they may be socializing with people not in their households. Due to the decision many bars and

discrimination laws,” said Shannon Minter, NCLR Legal Director. “Depending on how the Court applies this decision in future cases, it may enable religious employers to evade civil rights laws simply by claiming that virtually any employee is somehow fulfilling an important religious function. Protecting religious liberty is important, but this decision goes too far and leaves far too many employees vulnerable to being fired or abused for reasons that have nothing to do with religious beliefs. The ruling is particularly harmful for LGBT employees who already face a pervasive threat of being singled out for discriminatory treatment by religious schools and other religious employers. “Coming so soon on the heels of the Court’s recent decision in Bostock, which held that LGBT workers are protected under Title VII, today’s decision effectively takes away with one hand what it gave with the other for the many LGBT people who work for religious employers. For these LGBT workers, the victory in Bostock may end up meaning very little if a religious employer can fire them at

will merely by invoking today’s decision.” In Little Sisters of the Poor Saints Peter and Paul Home v. Pennsylvania, the Court, in a 7 to 2 opinion authored by Justice Thomas, upheld the Trump administration’s promulgation of a rule creating extremely broad exemptions to the Affordable Care Act’s requirement that all health insurance plans must provide contraceptive coverage to female employees. Justices Ginsburg and Sotomayor dissented. “The Court today gave a green light to the Trump administration’s rules that grant sweeping religious and moral exemptions to employers who want to deny their employees coverage for birth control, a benefit otherwise guaranteed by the Affordable Care Act,” said Julianna S. Gonen, NCLR Federal Policy Director. “While prior regulations and court decisions had limited such exemptions to religious entities or companies controlled by a small group of people with shared religious beliefs, today’s decision allows any employer to cite religious or moral objections and withhold coverage for essential preventive services. Women should not have their health

restaurants across Los Angeles and specifically in West Hollywood have had to close their doors for good. Ago restaurant, created in partnership with Robert De Niro, an upscale Italian trattoria established back in 1997, and Gym Sports Bar, the first and only gay sports bar in Los Angeles are only a few of the places that have closed to the public permanently. “There is no path forward for us in this location. We will always be a part of West Hollywood. We don’t know what the future holds,” Gym Sports bar owners said in a Faceook video. “We just know that we need to close here.” With the temporary closure of restaurants and bars throughout Los Angeles county and some succumbing permanently due to the lack of business, along with strict guidelines once they are allowed to open, its certain to say the

restaurant and bar scene of Los Angeles will

Photo: Courtesy

Shannon Minter.

care decisions dictated by the beliefs of their bosses. We are gravely troubled that the Court has once again allowed religious beliefs to trump access to reproductive health care.”

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07.10.2020 – 07.23.2020

LOS ANGELES

IMPORTANT FACTS FOR BIKTARVY®

This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY and does not replace talking to your healthcare provider about your condition and your treatment.

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MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BIKTARVY

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF BIKTARVY

BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including:

BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, including:  Those in the “Most Important Information About BIKTARVY” section.  Changes in your immune system. Your immune system may get stronger and begin to fight infections. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new symptoms after you start taking BIKTARVY.  Kidney problems, including kidney failure. Your healthcare provider should do blood and urine tests to check your kidneys. If you develop new or worse kidney problems, they may tell you to stop taking BIKTARVY.  Too much lactic acid in your blood (lactic acidosis), which is a serious but rare medical emergency that can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: weakness or being more tired than usual, unusual muscle pain, being short of breath or fast breathing, stomach pain with nausea and vomiting, cold or blue hands and feet, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat.  Severe liver problems, which in rare cases can lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get these symptoms: skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, dark “tea-colored” urine, light-colored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain.  The most common side effects of BIKTARVY in clinical studies were diarrhea (6%), nausea (6%), and headache (5%). These are not all the possible side effects of BIKTARVY. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new symptoms while taking BIKTARVY. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Your healthcare provider will need to do tests to monitor your health before and during treatment with BIKTARVY.

 Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. If you have both HIV-1 and HBV, your HBV may suddenly get worse if you stop taking BIKTARVY. Do not stop taking BIKTARVY without first talking to your healthcare provider, as they will need to check your health regularly for several months.

ABOUT BIKTARVY BIKTARVY is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in adults and children who weigh at least 55 pounds. It can either be used in people who have never taken HIV-1 medicines before, or people who are replacing their current HIV-1 medicines and whose healthcare provider determines they meet certain requirements. BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS. HIV-1 is the virus that causes AIDS. Do NOT take BIKTARVY if you also take a medicine that contains:  dofetilide  rifampin  any other medicines to treat HIV-1

BEFORE TAKING BIKTARVY Tell your healthcare provider if you:  Have or have had any kidney or liver problems, including hepatitis infection.  Have any other health problems.  Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if BIKTARVY can harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking BIKTARVY.  Are breastfeeding (nursing) or plan to breastfeed. Do not breastfeed. HIV-1 can be passed to the baby in breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take:  Keep a list that includes all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, antacids, laxatives, vitamins, and herbal supplements, and show it to your healthcare provider and pharmacist.  BIKTARVY and other medicines may affect each other. Ask your healthcare provider and pharmacist about medicines that interact with BIKTARVY, and ask if it is safe to take BIKTARVY with all your other medicines.

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HOW TO TAKE BIKTARVY Take BIKTARVY 1 time each day with or without food.

GET MORE INFORMATION  This is only a brief summary of important information about BIKTARVY. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to learn more.  Go to BIKTARVY.com or call 1-800-GILEAD-5  If you need help paying for your medicine, visit BIKTARVY.com for program information.

BIKTARVY, the BIKTARVY Logo, DAILY CHARGE, the DAILY CHARGE Logo, KEEP SHINING, LOVE WHAT’S INSIDE, GILEAD, and the GILEAD Logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. Version date: February 2020 © 2020 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. BVYC0218 04/20

6/23/20 3:41 PM

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LOS ANGELES

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D’EVA LIVING WITH HIV SINCE 2009 REAL BIKTARVY PATIENT

KEEP SHINING.

Because HIV doesn’t change who you are. BIKTARVY® is a complete, 1-pill, once-a-day prescription medicine used to treat HIV-1 in certain adults. BIKTARVY does not cure HIV-1 or AIDS.

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Data Collection, from page 2 part of a growing movement to reverse the stigmatization of mental illness and addiction. This legislation is even more important in light of the COVID-19 crisis, given the significant mental health challenges that increased isolation, illness, job loss, and grief pose to people everywhere – many of whom have never struggled with mental illness before. A new study predicts that COVID-19 could cause up to 154,000 “deaths of despair.” SB 855 would allow for easier access to nonemergency mental health services, to stop mental health challenges from escalating with early intervention and treatment. Substance use disorder (SUD) numbers are also expected to rise, and for some living with SUD, these issues have worsened and will continue to pose a serious challenge. SB 855 is sponsored by the Kennedy Forum and the Steinberg Institute. It passed with a vote of 28-2 with more votes to be counted. SB 899 would allow churches, synagogues, mosques and other faith institutions and

The bill now sits before the state assembly.

07.10.2020 – 07.23.2020

LOS ANGELES nonprofits colleges to build 100% affordable housing on their property. These institutions would be able to build this affordable housing by right, even if local zoning prohibits it. SB 899 would significantly increase the state’s affordable housing supply. According to a recent study by the Terner Center for Housing Innovation at UC Berkeley, “approximately 38,800 acres of religious institutions’ land – equivalent to the size of the City of Stockton – could potentially support new housing development, including in some of the state’s highest-cost counties.” SB 899 is sponsored by the Nonprofit Housing Association of Northern California and the Southern California Association of Non-Profit Housing. It passed with a vote of 34-0 with more votes to be counted. Senator Wiener authored SB 932 in early May. Given that California is collecting data on race, age, and sex with regards to cases of COVID-19, it would require the state additionally collect sexual orientation and gender identity data for all COVID-19 patients. Because rates of respiratory issues

(from smoking), HIV/AIDS, cancer, and homelessness are higher in the LGBTQ community, LGBTQ people are likely experiencing greater health impacts from COVID-19. Additionally, LGBTQ people are more likely to work in the service industry and in front-line jobs. But there is currently no state or national effort to collect data on how COVID-19 is impacting the LGTBQ community – a group that has historically been overlooked by our public health infrastructure. SB 932 will crucially allow healthcare providers and public health officials to understand rates of COVID-19 in the LGTBQ community, and help LGBTQ people get the resources and support they need. SB 932 is sponsored by Equality California and the California LGBTQ Health & Human Services Network, and passed unanimously, with a vote of 40-0. “COVID-19 has deeply impacted every part of our society in ways we could not have predicted just a few months ago,” said Senator Scott Wiener. “These three bills – SB 855, SB 899 and SB 932 – will help

address some of these negative impacts, and are key pieces of legislation in our fight to ensure that marginalized communities are not forgotten as we face the continued challenges of the pandemic. The LGTBQ community needs to be counted and COVID19’s particular consequences for LGBTQ individuals understood. Mental health and substance use disorders cannot be ignored, and we must ensure that, especially in these stressful and isolating times, people are getting the treatment they need, and aren’t going bankrupt to get it. And finally, we must ensure that low-income individuals and families can access affordable housing as so many struggle with rent payments and housing security especially during what will likely be the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. These pieces of legislation, today passed by the Senate, will address different but very important pieces of the fallout from COVID-19. We must always fight for those who might otherwise be forgotten, and these bills do just that.”

Photo: Getty Images

07.10.2020 – 07.23.2020

LOS ANGELES

New UCLA Health Center Brings LGBT Health Services to Westside

UCLA’s Marina del Rey Immediate Care Center opens By Staff Writer

UCLA Health has made its world-class services more convenient for residents of the Venice-Marina del Rey-Playa Vista corridor with the opening of UCLA HealthMarina del Rey Primary Care. Featuring pediatric and adult primary care, the new practice complements UCLA Health’s Marina del Rey Immediate Care Center. Located at 13160 Mindanao Way, Suite 301, in Marina del Rey, the 5,000-squarefoot facility is staffed by Drs. Max Goldstein, Young E. Jeon, and Tannaz Zahirpour. A board-certified family physician, Goldstein provides care for all ages, from newborns to the elderly. “Preventive health and family planning, including contraceptive management, are areas of particular interest to me,” he said. “I also focus on sports medicine and LGBT health.” Jeon, board-certified in pediatrics, said she is passionate about getting to know each patient well to understand their unique needs, and providing both preventive and acute care through each stage of childhood to adolescence. “My priorities are providing evidence-based medicine and empowering families by addressing their concerns,” she added. “I feel incredibly privileged to be part of their care.” Board-certified in family medicine, Zahirpour cares for patients of all ages,

with a special focus on preventive medicine and patient education. “For me, it is so important to help patients understand how their lifestyle, family dynamics and unique backgrounds contribute to overall health,” she said. Ardalan Haghighat, clinical director of the UCLA Health Community Physician Network, says the new medical practice gives Marina del Rey, Playa Vista and Venice Beach residents access to UCLA Health’s full spectrum of medical specialists. Physician visits are available in person or via telehealth for those who prefer the convenience of a telephone or video consultation. “We’ve recently added a new feature where even first-time patients may schedule their appointment online,” said Haghighat. This is done through UCLA Health’s mychart app, a secure portal that enables patients to connect with their doctor’s office online to make appointments, check lab results, request prescription refills, ask questions or leave messages. As with all UCLA Health medical facilities, the new Marina del Rey practice has taken steps to protect patients and staff from COVID-19. “For everyone’s safety, we are screening patients, visitors and staff before they enter the building,” said Haghighat. “Some of our other safety measures include universal masking, physical distancing in our waiting room and enhanced disinfection and sterilization procedures.” The new practice is open weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Appointments may be made online or by calling 310-301-0230. Parking is available in the structure adjacent to the building.

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John Tan

Beverly Hills Brokerage | 9665 Wilshire Blvd. Ste. 400 | Beverly Hills, CA| |310.880.0234 sothebyshomes.com/socal john.tan@sir.com Beverly Hills Brokerage | 9665 International Wilshire Blvd. Ste.are400 | Beverly Hills, CA | sothebyshomes.com/socal Sotheby’s International Realty and the Sotheby’s Realty logo registered (or unregistered) service marks used with permission. Operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. Real estate agents affiliated with

S o t h e by ’ s In te rn at i o n a l Re a l t y, In c . a re i n d e p e n d e n t c o n tra cto r s a l e s a s s o c i ate s a n d a re n o t e m p l oye e s o f S o t h e by ’ s In te rn at i o n a l Re a l t y, In c . E q u a l Ho u s i n g O p p o r t u n i t y. Jo s i e To n g D R E : 14 403 10 Jo h n Ta n D R E : 2 03 3 0 0 6 Sotheby’s International Realty and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered (or unregistered) service marks used with permission. Operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. Real estate agents affiliated with S o t h e by ’ s In te rn at i o n a l Re a l t y, In c . a re i n d e p e n d e n t c o n tra cto r s a l e s a s s o c i ate s a n d a re n o t e m p l oye e s o f S o t h e by ’ s In te rn at i o n a l Re a l t y, In c . E q u a l Ho u s i n g O p p o r t u n i t y. Jo s i e To n g D R E : 14 403 10 Jo h n Ta n D R E : 2 03 3 0 0 6

Beverly Hills Brokerage | 9665 Wilshire Blvd. Ste. 400 | Beverly Hills, CA | sothebyshomes.com/socal Sotheby’s International Realty and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered (or unregistered) service marks used with permission. Operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. Real estate agents affiliated with S o t h e by ’ s In te rn at i o n a l Re a l t y, In c . a re i n d e p e n d e n t c o n tra cto r s a l e s a s s o c i ate s a n d a re n o t e m p l oye e s o f S o t h e by ’ s In te rn at i o n a l Re a l t y, In c . E q u a l Ho u s i n g O p p o r t u n i t y. Jo s i e To n g D R E : 14 403 10 Jo h n Ta n D R E : 2 03 3 0 0 6

07.10.2020 – 07.23.2020

LOS ANGELES

⚫ 11

Jeremy Hersh’s Quietly Powerful “The Surrogate” CENTER STAGE

With Beverly Cohn, Editor-At-Large

There is something uniquely theatrical in writer/director Jeremy Hersh’s intimate film, The Surrogate. This insightful story unfolds almost as if you were watching a play with the highly professional acting associated with that art form. The characters are totally developed, supporting the believable, excellent dialogue. The wellhoned script presents a penetrating look at the struggle between three friends who are faced with an ethical and perhaps even a moral dilemma. Jess, exquisitely brought to life by a very talented Jasmine Batchelor is best friends with Josh, tenderly played by Chris Perfetti, and his husband Aaron, well played by Sullivan Jones. They want to have a baby and Jess has agreed to be the egg donor and surrogate. The dipstick turned pink and they are jubilant that she tested positive and a new life has begun. They have agreed to cover all the attendant expenses to having their baby and the three of them are delighted. Jess continues her work as a web designer for a local non-profit and it seems all is well. There are lots of fun dinners, yoga classes, laughter, and great excitement over the arrival of the baby. All is well until they receive some unsettling news. After the third month, the prenatal test is positive for Down syndrome and thus begins a painful decision journey for the three friends. Jess wants more information and the three of them go to a community center that specializes in working with Down children. It appears to be a happy place and the children are engaged in all sorts of activities. There Jess meets young, really adorable Leon, beautifully played by Down actor Leon Lewis, and his devoted mother Bridget, excellently played by Brooke Bloom. Jess asks if she could visit their home. Bridget says yes and invites her for dinner during which she shares her experiences in raising her child, some of which are quite challenging. Leon is reasonably verbal and cheerfully responds to whatever instructions he receives from his mom. Back at Josh and Aaron’s apartment in Williamsburg Brooklyn, the guys are clearly conflicted and are having second thoughts on the prospects of raising a Down child, citing what they perceive to be the on-going attendant costs. With much sadness, they tell her that they decided they don’t want to have the child and ask her to abort the fetus and, at the moment, she agrees. To find a temporary respite from the horrible choice that lies before her,

L-R: Aaron played by Sullivan Jones, Jess characterized by Jasmine Batchelor and Josh, Aaron’s husband, played by Chris Perfetti - good friends entering into an arrangement that doesn’t appear to have the happy outcome they expected.

Jess has sex with her old boyfriend Nate, a really sweet guy characterized by Brandon Micheal Hall. He wants to marry her and says he will be supportive of whatever she decides, whether her decision is to abort or not to abort, in which case he would help her raise the child. At 29 years of age, and apparently commitment phobic, Jess doesn’t want to get married or even have a steady boyfriend. After giving it a great deal of thought, she decides that she does not want to abort and goes to her mother, Karen (Tonya Pinkins) to seek $100,000 from the trust fund left by her grandparents and would use the funds to buy a house for she and the baby. With a Masters Degree from Columbia, her mom patiently points out the pitfalls of raising a special needs child and refuses the request. She defends herself pointing out all the money she donates to charities with Jess shooting back that such generosity was to “assuage guilt for living a privileged life.” In the meantime, Josh and Aaron are under the impression that she is going to have an abortion. The day before the scheduled procedure, Jess goes back to her friends to try to reason with them, saying they could co-parent the child, but Josh has an unpleasant memory from his childhood of a Down kid named Devon and doesn’t want that for his child. In a heartfelt plea, he tries to explain that being a gay married couple was hard enough which is why they want to at least have a normal kid. She doesn’t

Photo: Courtesy of Monument Releasing

L-R: Surrogate Jess (Jasmine Batchelor) meets with Aaron (Sullivan Jones) and his husband Josh (Chris Perfetti) who present a compromise on how to deal with the unborn child.

commit one way or the other and moves in with her loving sister Samantha, sympathetically played by Eboni Booth. The guys visit Jess at her sister’s house and propose that instead of aborting the child that they put it up for adoption. At that point, Jess gets angry and refuses that suggestion telling them she is going to have the child and that they will never be allowed to visit. Still there is the slightest question mark as to what action she will ultimately undertake and we are left with a lovely cliffhanger. The Surrogate, which is director Hersh’s first feature, is a pitch perfect, fascinating, well-crafted, highly intelligent film. His narrative does not take a moral position on

abortion and allows each of his characters to

make his or her own case, as to abort or not

to abort, in non-diatribe, non-exploitative, crisp dialogue, with valid points of view. Enhancing

this

captivating,

excellent

movie with his extremely fine theatre trained acting ensemble, is his production crew starting with Mia Cioffi Henry’s

sensitive cinematography, D’Vaughn Agu’s

delicate production design, culminating

with Cecilia Delgado’s spot-on editing, all working together for this absorbing

93-minute Indy film which can be viewed through the Vimeo on Demand platform.

⚫ 12

07.10.2020 – 07.23.2020

LOS ANGELES

SANTA MONICA COLLEGE

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