The Pride LA November 4, 2022

the pride

Governor Signs Santa Monica-Sponsored Bill That Would Allow Cities to Required All Gender Public Restrooms

SB 1194 allows local governments to require that public restrooms be designed as all gender multistall restrooms

By Sam Catanzaro

Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed into law Senate Bill 1194. The bill–sponsored by the City of Santa Monica and authored by Senator Ben Allen–allows local governments to require that public restrooms be designed as all-gender multi-stall restrooms.

“I authored SB 1194 to give local governments the option to enact commonsense ordinances that ensure accessibility and inclusivity as new buildings are constructed,” Allen said. “All people deserve safe, equitable access to public restrooms regardless of age, gender identity, or health condition.”

The new state law authorizes a city or county to require, by ordinance or resolution, that public restrooms constructed within its jurisdiction comply with specified requirements rather than the state plumbing standards.

“These standards have, until now, been a barrier to municipalities converting gendered restrooms to gender universal. All gender restrooms are more inclusive facilities that benefit all, including gender diverse and transgender individuals, those individuals that require the assistance of a caregiver of a different gender, and for parents with children of different genders,” the City of Santa Monica said in a press release announcing the bill’s signing.

The bill was signed into law by Newsom on September 29, after passing through the state Senate and Assembly unopposed.

If a municipality decides to enact a law requiring public restrooms to be designed as all-gender, multi-stall bathrooms’ toilets would have to be located either in toilet rooms or grouped in an immediately adjacent common-use area accessible to all users.

According to the City of Santa Monica, City staff will bring forward an ordinance for

City Council consideration in 2023. If a local ordinance is adopted, the City says it will also have the authority to convert existing public restrooms and to construct new facilities that are gender universal.

“We are thrilled to have this bill signed into law so that we can deliver on more inclusive

public facilities that serve people of all genders and gender identities, while supporting families and those who need the help of a caregiver,” said Mayor Sue Himmelrich. “Santa Monica was proud to join West Hollywood and Senator Allen in advancing this meaningful step forward for equity and inclusion.”

Los Angeles LGBT Center’s ‘Models Of Pride’ Conference

Returns for the 30th Anniversary Celebration

youth and allies the opportunity to surround themselves with positive role models from the LGBTQ+ community, connect with peers, and attend life-enriching workshops—all designed to help them build confidence and self-esteem while developing valuable life skills.

By Sam Catanzaro

The Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Models of Pride returned for its 30th annual conference on Saturday, October 22, giving LGBTQ+

Presented by Glamazon L.A.—Amazon’s LGBTQ+ Affinity Group, the 30th anniversary conference also included carnival games and a DJ; a resource, college, and job fair; and a catered backyard BBQ lunch. RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Mayhem Miller hosted a Music Festival Celebration featuring a lineup of inspiring LGBTQ+ celebrities and influencers including DJ Brynn Taylor, a recent headliner

Event gives LGBTQ+ youth and allies the opportunity to surround themselves with positive role models

Photo: Sam Catanzaro

Photo: Twitter (@LALGBTCenter)

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. (bik-TAR-vee)

MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BIKTARVY

BIKTARVY may cause serious side e ects, including:

 Worsening of hepatitis B (HBV) infection. Your healthcare provider will test you for HBV. 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, and may give you HBV medicine.

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 a ect 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.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF BIKTARVY

BIKTARVY may cause serious side e ects, 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 that may have been hidden in your body. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new symptoms after you start taking BIKTARVY.

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 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, lightcolored stools, loss of appetite for several days or longer, nausea, or stomach-area pain.

 The most common side e ects of BIKTARVY in clinical studies were diarrhea (6%), nausea (6%), and headache (5%).

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You are encouraged to report negative side e ects 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.

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, GILEAD, the GILEAD Logo, GSI, and KEEP ASPIRING are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies. Version date: February 2021 © 2022 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. US-BVYC-0085 02/22

New Book ‘Brown and Gay in LA’ Highlights Experiences of Gay Filipino and Latino Men From Immigrant Families

By Susan Payne

Author Anthony Ocampo began writing his new book after the 2016 tragic shooting at the nightclub Pulse in Orlando.

“Brown and Gay in LA” is the story of Filipino Americans and Latinos experiences, including his own, coming from a family of immigrants.

“That event just really hit me pretty hard because a lot of the young men that I interviewed came of age in these kinds of places of queer Latinx or queer POC bars and clubs,” he said. “Myself included.”

Although he started writing this book 10 years ago, Ocampo, a college professor, was prompted by the shooting to change its direction.

“It kind of stopped me in my tracks,” he said. “It just felt like the version of the book that I had at that point was too academic. And so I did a little soul-searching after the Pulse shooting and I felt like I had to write the book in a completely different way with a sense of urgency.”

Although gay marriage became legal, and most people believed that meant everything

Models Of Pride,

From page 1

at the 2022 Seattle Pridefest; drag performer Dew Mi Moore; The Realm Company, an upand-coming LGBTQ+ dance group from West Hollywood; West Hollywood drag queen Jada Slayy; ally and supporter Mike Xavier; and more.

“Models of Pride was started 30 years ago by a group of Los Angeles teachers who knew LGBTQ+ youth needed a place to build community, hear from role models, and develop their sense of self,” said the Center’s Director of Youth Community-Based Programs Kevin

was fine, Ocampo said he wanted his writing to capture gay men had lived lies with extremely difficulties among their families, communities and schools long before that.

“For me, it was really important to really chronicle all the labor that goes into just plain existing because I felt like people were forgetting how hard it is to navigate those two identities,” he said.

Ocampo explores masculinity learned at a young age and dealing with pressure to excel in academics.

One of the main goals of his book, Ocampo wrote, is to “bridge scholarly and public conversations about race, immigration and LGBTQ issues.”

Ocampo decided his expertise in the field as he pursued his doctorate degree would be in immigration and race and said that these conversations around immigration and race rarely included the experiences of queer immigrants or queer children of immigrants.

Ocampo said the men featured in his new book are redefining what it means to be a man, gay and American.

McCloskey. “We’ve made great progress in 30 years, but as long as youth still experience rejection from families, bullying at school, and the effects of homophobia and transphobia, the Center will continue producing this incredible and life-affirming conference.”

“Amazon is incredibly proud of its ongoing support of the Center and the thousands of Angelenos it serves,” said Glamazon Los Angeles Chapter President Michael Dawson.

“There is no better way to demonstrate our commitment to the community and LGBTQ+ youth then to bring Amazon employees together for Models of Pride with the Center. This work is at the core of what Glamazon

stands for.”

Some of the workshops offered this year included: Coming Out in a Family of Color (how to navigate specific cultural considerations while sharing your identity with your family); Where Do You Fit In? (a guide to exploring the LGBTQ+ community’s subcultures to find your chosen community); The Power of Leadership (an introduction to the power of youth-led activism; and Dream Yourself Awake (how to effectively work with your dreams and messages from your subconscious to yield amazing results). Social Media influencer Brendan Jordan also hosted a workshop discussing his journey and sharing

tips on the art of authentic content creation. Carnival games included a mechanical unicorn ride, an 85-foot boot camp obstacle course, a money-blowing vault, skee ball, giant darts, ring toss, and more.

In addition to the youth-only portions of the single-day festival, parents, caregivers, educators, social service providers, and other youth-serving professionals are offered free workshops tailored to their roles and interests to better serve LGBTQ+ youth. Known as the Parent & Professional Institute (PPI), this programming for adults provides them with their own set of tailored workshops, discussions, and resources.

Historic Gay Sex Bathhouse Building in Downtown LA Rumored to Close Soon

By Susan Payne

A historic sex bathhouse catering to gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men, currently housing the Midtowne Spa Los Angeles, is up for sale.

The spa could be closing as early as October, according to sources curated by the WeHo Times. Spa vendors such as towel, linen and cleaning crew allege their services will not be needed past October as told by the spa.

An employee who has requested anonymity said they are aware of the sale and that workers sense the end is near although management isn’t disclosing information to them, and they may be out of a job, WeHo Times reported.

Two of the three spas in Southern California opened by Midtowne Spa have closed in May 2017 and the other in April of this year.

A recent guest of the spa told WeHo times the rooms were sold out by 7 p.m., and prices have increased, but the spa has plenty of customers.

Crediting Midtowne for its cleanliness, the guest said the areas are as clean as possible,

Georgia Added to California Travel Ban Post Anti-Trans Youth Sports Law Passage

By Susan Payne

California is restricting state-funded travel to Georgia as a result of its anti-LGBTQ+ legislation recently passed within the state.

it is the policy of the state to “avoid supporting or financing discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender Americans,” according to a press release from Bonta’s office.

and that the clinic also provides STD testing and counseling.

“It’s not just about STD/AIDS, but the counselors also will talk to people, like gay people just coming out, which is so important for some people who may be reluctant to go to other places,” the guest said. “This is a safe place for queer expression that will be a loss to the community and also has historic value. The original owner, Marty, really wanted Midtowne to stay open long after his demise as an outlet for the queer community.”

Built in 1914, the 22,419 square foot property is located downtown on top of 30,160 square foot land size. The current asking price is $6,500,000.

In April of this year, Republican lawmakers in Georgia added language to House Bill 1084 that allowed the Georgia High School Association the ability to ban transgender girls from competing in public school sports, according to The Los Angeles Blade.

“Blocking transgender youth from playing sports isn’t just discriminatory, it’s government overreach — and it’s happening in states across the country,” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta. “Rather than protecting personal freedoms, state legislatures are going out of their way to invent a problem and target the rights of children. It’s a gross misuse of public resources. California refuses to take part. As required under AB 1887, we’re restricting state-funded travel to Georgia as a result of Governor (Brian) Kemp’s new transphobic law, HB 1084.”

California’s Assembly Bill 1887, enacted in 2016, requires the restrictions to take place as

The law restricts state agencies, departments, boards or commissions from authorizing state-funded travel to a state that has enacted a law authorizing or repealing existing protections against, discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

“Georgia’s passage of HB 1084 is part of a recent, dangerous wave of discriminatory new legislation signed into law in states across the country that directly works to roll back hard-won protections. Many of these laws specifically target and marginalize transgender youth by preventing them from playing sports in line with their gender identity,” the press release stated.

Georgia’s HB 1084 repeals existing protections for transgender youth and requires all public high schools to adhere to the GHSA’s policies governing gender participation.

California’s state-funded travel restrictions under AB 1887 went into effective on Aug. 20.

Hammer Museum Gala Centers Power of Art, Activism

First gala since 2019 at museum

By Susan Payne

Hammer Museum held its first gala since 2019 with three new exhibitions dedicated to the power of activism and art.

The exhibitions “Picasso Cut Paper,” “Joan Didion: What She Means” and “Bob Thompson: This House is Mine” celebrated the core values of the museum.

“Embedded in the DNA of the Hammer are the twin engines of art and activism,” Hammer Director Ann Philbin told the Los Angeles Times.

Honoring Charles Gaines, artist and CalArts educator, and Chase Strangio, a transgender rights litigator and deputy director for transgender justice with the ACLU’s LGBTQ & HIV Project, the gala raised $2.2 million, according to the LA Times.

Will Ferrell, Mark Bradford, Hilton Als, Steven Spielberg, Laverne Cox, Colman Domingo, Andrea Bowers and Annabeth Gish were on the guest list gazing at the colorful, vibrant and uplifting exhibits, curated by Erin Christovale and Vanessa Arizmendi.

Thompson died at age 28 held a brief career that examined themes of justice and bearing witness.

Thompson, who died at 28, had a brief, prolific career that examined themes of justice and bearing witness. “I like to think about different ways that we can disrupt the violent systems of power and connect with people who care about telling artistic and creative stories,” Strangio said during the cocktail party.

Domingo, was moved by Didion’s “Goodbye to All That” on the wall.

“This one stopped me because this is one of my favorite quotes,” Domingo said, recalling his transition from New York to Los Angeles.

“All I mean is that I was very young in New York, and that at some point the golden rhythm

was broken, and I am not that young anymore,” he said

Martin Creed attended the gala wearing a suit made by “adapting clothes” and said, “If you feel like a fool, you should dress like a fool.”

While curated Philbin opened the show on a personal note, she said she was expelled from the University of New Hampshire in the early 1970s for starting a gay student organization on campus. While they won the battle in the U.S. Supreme Court, that fight is still being fought today.

“The fight is long from done,” she said. “But we are very fortunate to have warriors like Chase [Strangio] and the ACLU on the frontlines.”

Cox then took stage and introduced Strangio, praising his “unconditional love for trans and queer people.”

“This has been an unprecedented year for any trans legislation at the state level,” Cox said. “Over 250 pieces of anti-trans legislation were introduced this year alone, and far too many bills signed into law, and Chase, the ACLU and others

are challenging in our very conservative court.”

Closing the night was the band Gabriels that made the audience stand tall. Bowers then closed with a sentiment to Gaines for going so long without being recognized.

“Nobody deserves it more than Charles [Gaines] and he has so long gone unrecognized,” Bowers said. “He was in his early 50s before he had a career, and he educated and changed the lives of so many of us, so to see him honored makes me think the world’s going to be OK.”

Leslie Jordan, Beloved ‘Will & Grace’ Actor, Queer Icon Dies at 67

By Susan Payne

A queer icon, known for his roles in “Will & Grace” and “American Horror Story” passed

away Oct. 24.

Jordan, 67, was driving a BMW when he crashed into the side of building at Cahuenga Boulevard and Romaine Street at 9:30 a.m.,

according to a police officer who spoke with the Los Angeles Times.

The longtime, Emmy Award-winning actor was pronounced dead at the scene.

A source from the law enforcement said the condition of his vehicle suggested Jordan may have lost control before slamming into the building, the LA Times reported.

Jordan’s crash scene had been replaced by bundles of flowers and a handwritten note that read, “Thank you being a light in this world! You will be missed. RIP!”

The makeshift memorial donned silence as several people visited and took photos.

Dan Mryglot, managing editor of the WeHo Times visited the crash site, and told the LA Times, “he was in on the joke. He knew he was a little effeminate man and he profited from it –it’s great.”

Another West Hollywood resident said he felt a strong connection to Jordan and told the LA Times he was a “gay icon” who opened a lot of doors for the whole community.

Jordan was also known for his uplifting pandemic Instagram videos that tuned millions of views.

“I think it brought a lot of us together in a time when we were not sure what was going,” said Joey Wiser, at the crash site.

In 1989, Jordan was cast in the first season of “Murphy Brown” and held roles in other TV shows such as “Bodies of Evidence” and “Hearts Affire.”

Growing fame came to him during his starring role in NBC’s “Will & Grace.” He also played in “American Horror Story” and “The Cool Kids.” Recently, he starred in “Call Me Kat.”

Jordan’s iconic Instagram videos began with, “Well (expletive), what are yall doin’?” and would have a day-to-day focus. Sometimes he genuinely reacted to music or created dance montages to pop music.

“A friend of mine called from California and said, ‘You have gone viral.’ And I said, ‘No,

Queer Icon Dies, see page 8

Photo: Facebook

By Susan Payne

LA Strippers Win Approval to Unionize Netflix Drops LGBTQ Tag on ‘Dahmer’ Series After Criticism

An official from the National Labor Relations Board gave strippers at a Los Angeles club approval to unionize earlier this month.

Mori Rubin, the regional director of NLRB, scheduled a mail ballot for exotic dancers and disc jockeys at Star Garden Topless Dive Bar to be mailed by Oct. 14 and counted on Nov. 7, according to Bloomberg News.

The order setting an election for the dancers to possibly select Actors’ Equity Association as the bargaining representative is a step forward to

Queer Icon Dies,

From page 6

honey, I’m fine. I don’t have COVID,’” Jordan joked in one of the videos. “I don’t know how I did it because now I scramble for content.... Every day, I’m thinking, ‘Oh, my God! I need to post. What should I come up with?’”

A statement from David Shaul, Jordan’s representative, was made in his honor.

“The world is definitely a much darker place today without the love and light of Leslie Jordan,” Shaul said. “Not only was he a mega talent and joy to work with, but he provided an emotional sanctuary to the nation at one of its most difficult times. What he lacked in height he made up for in generosity and greatness as a son, brother, artist,

making Star Garden the first unionized strop club since 1996, according to Bloomberg.

Union campaigns are taking off among retail and service industries, including the most recent at Starbucks Corp. coffee shops, Apple Inc. retail stores and Trader Joes grocery stores. Bloomberg reported that while employment classification is a heavily litigated issue in the exotic dancing industry, a Trump-era NLRB decision found dancers to be employees under the NLRA.

Star Garden’s attorneys were not immediately responsive to request for comments to Bloomberg.

that he has left the world at the height of both his professional and personal life is the only solace one can have today.”

Tributes from Hollywood mounted over social media for the star, strongly about his representation of the LGBTQ community.

Sarah Kate Ellis, president and chief executive of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, said Jordan “was a multi-talented entertainer who charmed audiences for decades with heartfelt characters on-screen and passionate LGBTQ advocacy off-screen.” The advocacy group called him “a loyal friend to so many LGBTQ organizations including GLAAD,” who also “made it a priority to help increase visibility for LGBTQ for people in the South.”

By Susan Payne

While Netflix’s recently released “Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story” has shocked viewers, the streaming platform has taken fire for initially categorizing it as an LGBTQ show.

Here are a series of the complaints:

“If I need to stay in my lane absolutely tell me but anyone else think it’s pretty gross of @netflix to list Dahmer under #LGBTQ, especially when the True Crime tag would have worked?,” tweeted writer Frances Danger on the series premier date.

“Nah Netflix wrong for filing dahmer under LGBTQ,” said another Twitter user.

“Hey hi @netflix I IMPLORE you please reconsider having Dahmer with the LGBTQ tag, especially as one of its tags right when you open the app,” said @Sinuzaki.

On Tiktok, one user said although the label is “technically true,” the context is “not the representation we’re looking for.”

Netflix gave the series other labels such as “Crime TV Shows” and :Social Issue Drama,” but it’s unclear when Netflix dropped the “LGBTQ” label, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Before the show was released, the trailor sparked controversary as well.

“Idk about some of y’all but I don’t think the murders of black, gay men should be used for entertainment or profit,” one Twitter user said.

“Do serial killers really need this much screen time?” said another Twitter user.

A relative of one of Dahmer’s victims tweeted that the series is making his family relive the murder of Errol Lindsey’s murder and the trauma his sister Rita Isbell faced, according to the LA Times.

“I’m not telling anyone what to watch, I know true crime media is huge rn, but if you’re actually curious about the victims, my family (the Isbell’s) are pissed about this show,” he said in a Tweet. “It’s retraumatizing over and over again, and for what? How many movies/ shows/documentaries do we need?”

comedian, partner and human being. Knowing

East Los Angeles College First LACCD College to Raise LGBTQ+ Progress Pride Flag in Solidarity College

makes history October 11

By Susan Payne

On October 11, 2022, East Los Angeles College (ELAC) made history by becoming the first Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) college to raise the LGBTQ+ Progress Pride Flag in solidarity. ELAC President Alberto J. Román was joined by LACCD Board of Trustees Vice President David Vela, CA Assemblymember Mike Fong, and Monterey Park Mayor Henry Lo who all spoke and participated in the flag raising.

This took place on National Coming Out Day, and ELAC’s Husky Pride Center had a full day of activities. After the flag raising and press conference, attendees headed to the Husky Pride Center for a ribbon cutting and open house. This was a chance to showcase the new Husky Pride Center and for the ELAC LGBTQ+ community to welcome all participants.

“As an individual with a stigmatized identity, coming from the trans community, I continue hoping that my proximity around cisgender individuals lessens otherization practices

imposed onto trans bodies. This October 11th marks the day which allows for a recognition of the queer body community in not being constrained as an individual existing in the theoretical world, but rather a recognition of being authentically real in both the material world in which we live and to ourselves within our bodies,” said ELAC Student Thursday Storm.

After the open house, there was a film screening of L.A. A Queer History. This film sheds light on the part of American history and historical figures who are largely unacknowledged. In turn, it creates a newfound dialogue about not only LGBTQ history but how our Gay and Lesbian brothers and sisters are affected by the world we live in today. The film adds a better understanding of the truly unique and utterly American culture

of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender community.

“I am proud to show solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community. This flag raising is historic for ELAC and another step towards progress for our LGBTQ+ students. I want to thank the Husky Pride Center for continuing to be a safe space for all our students,” said ELAC President Alberto J. Román

Kingsley Manor is an eclectic, friendly senior living community filled with joy, diversity and acceptance. It is exactly the welcoming home I was looking for. The residents here are some of the most interesting I have ever met. People representing so many cultures and lifestyles make Kingsley their home, and I fit right in.

-resident John H.

Venice Family Clinic

Honors Outgoing CEO’s Elizabeth Benson Forer 28 Years of Service

AAA Member Choice Vacations Offers are valid on new retail bookings only made October 21 – November 5, 2022, for travel through April 30, 2024. Offer code ACEFALL22 must be used at the time of booking for savings. USA, Canada and Central America departures are land only savings of $100 per person, extension savings of $50 per person; purchase two tours back-to-back with savings of $100 per person and air savings of $50 per person with the purchase of Economy and $100 per person with the purchase of Business Class. Exotics, Europe and Australia & New Zealand departures are land only savings of $200 per person, extension savings of $100 per person; purchase two tours back-to-back with savings of $100 per person and air savings of $100 per person with the purchase of Economy, $150 per person with the purchase of Premium Economy and $250 per person with the purchase of Business Class. AAA members will receive an additional $50 savings per person as part of the ® Amenity. Back-to-back tour offer valid for back to back departures only. Offers can expire earlier due to space or inventory availability. Space is limited and savings are only available on select departures. Space is on a first come, first served basis. Offers are not valid on group or existing bookings. Offers are combinable with Member Benefits only. Offer is not combinable with

of $125 onboard credit per stateroom, and Celebrity Cruises $75 onboard credit per veranda stateroom Travel Sale offer. Travel Sale offer is valid on new bookings only made October 21 – November 5, 2022. All Included offer includes Classic Beverage Package with service charges, Wi-Fi, and gratuities. Offer value amounts may vary by length of sailing, sail date, stateroom category, based on availability, and are subject to change at any time without notice. Ask your AAA Travel Advisor for complete details of each offer. ©2022 Celebrity Cruises. Ships’ registry: Malta. AAA Travel Sale Gift Card offer (“Offer”) only valid on bookings made through Automobile Club of Southern California. Minimum purchase required to qualify for Gift Card offer. Maximum one (1) Gift Card offer per household. Offer is combinable with AAA Travel Sale offers only. Offer valid only on new bookings made on or after October 21, 2022, which are under full deposit no later than November 5, 2022, for travel commencing no later than March 31, 2023. Gift Card will be provided to lead client/trip payee following trip final payment. Bookings of $5,000 – $9,999 qualify to receive a $50 Gift Card; bookings of $10,000+ qualify to receive a $100 Gift Card. Valid only on cruise or tour bookings provided through one of AAA’s preferred travel providers; not valid on Fly/Drive packages. The program’s gift card merchants are subject to change at any time and are not endorsed by or affiliated with AAA, nor are such merchants considered sponsors or co-sponsors of this program, and AAA disclaims responsibility for any products or services purchased using a gift card provided under the program. Gift cards/certificates

Gina Yashere and more

Venice Family Clinic, a nonprofit community health center providing comprehensive care to over 45,000 people in need from the Santa Monica Mountains through the South Bay, celebrated the collective impact of its community and paid tribute to CEO Elizabeth Benson Forer’s 28 years of visionary leadership at the Power of Us event on Sunday, Oct. 23.

The celebration included appearances by Billy Gardell, Folake Olowofoyeku and Gina Yashere, who star in “Bob Hearts Abishola.” Health care is a central theme for the series because Olowofoyeku’s character, Abishola, is a registered nurse who met Gardell’s character, Bob, after he suffered a heart attack. Yashere is also a co-creator, co-showrunner and executive producer on the series.

Prolific television producer Chuck Lorre also honored his long-time friend, Forer, during the event. For the past 20 years, Lorre has been a major donor to the Venice Family Clinic. Lorre has created and written numerous award-winning series, including “Bob Hearts Abishola,” “The Big Bang Theory,” “Mom,” “The Kominsky Method,” “Young Sheldon,” “Grace Under Fire,” “Two and Half Men” and many more.

The festivities included live music, immersive entertainment and a reception catered by Wolfgang Puck. The event honored Forer, who is retiring at the end of the year, and celebrated the Power of Us, Venice

Family Clinic’s fundraising initiative that demonstrates the impact a united community can have on advancing health equity

“I am so proud of what we have been able to accomplish with the support of our generous donors, wonderful volunteers and dedicated staff. I am leaving this incredible organization secure in the knowledge that Venice Family Clinic is on a trajectory to accomplish even more,” said Forer. “The Power of Us speaks to our collective determination to find solutions to the challenges outlined in this powerful initiative: achieving health equity, building mental health access, controlling pandemics and epidemics, defeating homelessness, ending hunger and fighting for our children.”

The celebration offered guests the opportunity to support The Community Connection, a comprehensive model of care Venice Family Clinic launched earlier this year. The goal of The Community Connection is to deliver quality health care, mental health care and early childhood programming to children and families to ensure they have the tools to build healthy and successful lives. The Community Connection will expand across the Clinic’s sites, with a hub at the Clinic’s new building in Inglewood. The Clinic will honor donations to the “The Liz Forer Community Connection Fund” by naming “Liz’s Playground” at the Inglewood site.

The Power of Us event was presented by UCLA Health and championed by LA Care Health Plan. Other sponsors were California Community Foundation, Cedars Sinai, Health Net and Kaiser Permanente.

Newsom’s Bill Protects Transgender Young and Families Fleeing Red-State Policies

By Susan Payne

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill into law that aims to protect transgender youth and families fleeing from red-state policy bans against gender-affirming care.

Senate Bill 107 provides safeguards meant to block out-of-state-attempts to penalize families that come to California seeking medical treatment for transgender children and teens, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Newsom said in message that state laws attempting to ban medical care for transgender people younger than 18 “demonize” the community and are an act of hate.

“In California we believe in equality and acceptance. We believe that no one should be prosecuted or persecuted for getting the care they need — including gender-affirming care,” Newsom said. “Parents know what’s best for their kids, and they should be able to make decisions around the health of their children without fear. We must take a stand for parental choice.”

California courts and attorneys are prohibited from enforcing subpoenas requested by other states about gender-affirming care for minors and healthcare providers releasing medical information, according to the LA Times.

Any potential out-of-state arrest warrant for violating laws related to such are will be given “the lowest law enforcement priority,” according to Newsom.

“While attacks on the transgender community are not new, we are experiencing alarmingly blatant attempts to use legislation, policy and political rhetoric to restrict or eliminate the autonomy, freedom and existence of transgender people across the country,” the advocacy group Equality California said in a statement of support for the bill.

More than 20 Republican-led states have introduced legislation to outlaw genderaffirming care for young people and to penalize parents and healthcare providers who allow it, according to the LA Times.

Long Beach Wants Your Feedback on the New LGBTQ+ Cultural District

“We don’t know what’s going to play out in appeal or if states will find other kinds of laws they can get through to courts,” Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) said in an interview before the bill’s passage. “It would be absolutely negligence for us to say we’re not going to do anything until one of these laws gets upheld and someone gets put in prison.”

“We can’t solve everything in one bill. We’re making sure that people who are being criminalized have a place to go,” Wiener said. “This bill is about giving people refuge.”

Forms of gender-affirming care include social, psychological, behavioral and medical interventions designed to support and affirm gender identity.

State Sen. Brian Dahle (R-Bieber), who is running against Newsom for governor, said that children “really don’t know what their identity is,” and that the legislation would insert the state into family custody battles, according to the LA Times.

“If one parent is for it and the other is against it, the state now will be in the middle of that decision,” Dahle said on the Senate floor before voting against the measure. “This bill is basically putting the state in your home.”

By Susan Payne

Long Beach’s LGBTQ history will soon be memorialized by the city with its new LGBTQ Cultural District.

Recommended by Mayor Robert Garcia, city staff were set to work with stakeholders to create the vision for the district along the Broadway corridor.

Last week, the city held a visioning event for the cultural district at Bixby Park Community Center.

LGBTQ+ community members who were unable to attend can participate in the visioning process through a survey that will be available until Nov. 9.

The session and the survey are designed to solicit feedback on LGBTQ+ priorities for the new district. Final recommendations and possible options will be presented to the council in the coming months.

Questions can be directed to LGBTQVisioning@longbeach.gov.

SANTA MONICA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Dr. Louise Jaffe, Chair; Barry Snell, Vice Chair; Dr. Susan Aminoff; Dr. Nancy Greenstein; Dr. Margaret Quiñones-Perez; Rob Rader; Dr. Sion Roy; Catalina Fuentes Aguirre, Student Trustee; Kathryn E. Jeffery, Ph.D., Superintendent/President Santa Monica College | 1900 Pico Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90405 | smc.edu