The Pride LA June 4, 2021

the pride

6.4.2021 – 18.4.2021

ISSUE NUMBER 58, VOLUME 29 | JUN 4 – JUN 18, 2021

WWW.THEPRIDELA.COM

LOS ANGELES

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THE LOS ANGELES LGBT NEWSPAPER

LA Pride Goes Virtual for 2021

Charlie XCX, who will kick off this year’s event with a TikTok concert.

While LA Pride may not look like this this year, the same spirit will remain.

By Sam caTaNZaRo

LA Pride is back this month after being canceled last year, with a mix of virtual and in-person events.

Last month, Christopher Street West Association Inc (CSW), the nonprofit that produces LA Pride, announced its June Pride events, which will include a free streaming concert presented by TikTok, the Thrive with

“Thrive With Pride” theme for this year’s celebration

Pride Celebration one-hour special on ABC7, and LA Pride Makes a Difference, a new, month-long calendar of events focused on volunteering and community service around Los Angeles. In addition, two in-person events at Dodger Stadium and Hollywood Forever Cemetery are planned for LA Pride.

According to Sharon-Franklin Brown, CSW

Photos: LA Pride

Board of Directors President, the Thrive with Pride was chosen for this year’s theme, not just to highlight health and wellness as LA slowly emerge from the pandemic, but also to underscore the belief that thriving is an act of social justice within the LGBTQ+ community,

LA Pride, see page 8

Artists Featured For SaMo Pride Rainbow Road Art Walk Art walk displayed all month at Third Street Promenade

By TimoThy michael In honor of Pride month Santa Monica Pride (SaMo Pride) will feature a Rainbow Road Art Walk from June 4th- June 30th.

Beginning in 2019 The Santa Monica Pier, Downtown Santa Monica, and Santa Monica Place, in collaboration with the City of Santa Monica and Santa Monica Travel and Tourism organized SaMo Pride to safely celebrate Santa Monica’s inclusive and diverse spirit and raise awareness for the LGBTQIA+ community with a focus on family friendly displays and activities.

Spanning Third Street Promenade, through Santa Monica Place, and leading through the Santa Monica Pier, strollers can appreciate 13 incredible one-of-a-kind art installations by LGBTQIA+ artists throughout Pride month.

The art walk is presented in partnership with Allies in Arts, a local nonprofit whose mission is to support womxn, BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ artists who are often underrepresented in creative industries.

The 13 artists and a description of their work are listed below: “Rainbows of Resilience” by artist Parisa Parnian.

A technicolor, large-scale digital illustration of a fantastical PRIDE parade scene with Santa Monica as its backdrop. It is a celebration of the resilience and ability to continue to find joy that the QTBIPOC (Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous People of Color) communities of LA have displayed in the past year.

“Chosen Family” by artist Jeromy Velasco x Yaicecream.

Too often people in the LGBTQ+ community face rejection and abandonment from their biological families: chosen family can serve as an important method of survival as well as creating loving bonds. The idea of floating dance floors over the LA skyline came originally from the sentiment that “chosen families uplift one

another.” Dancefloors have always been a space for queer people to let loose and be themselves.

The artists wanted to transport their traditionally

SaMo Pride, see page 9

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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

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF BIKTARVY

BIKTARVY may cause serious side effects, 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.

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 that may have been hidden in your body. 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.

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.

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, and LOVE WHAT’S INSIDE are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies.

Version date: February 2021 © 2021 Gilead Sciences, Inc. All rights reserved. BVYC0369 04/21

BVYC0369_BIKTARVY_B_10X11-7_ThePrideLA_Hugo_r1v1jl.indd 1

5/24/21 3:35 PM

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HUGO LIVING WITH HIV SINCE 1995 REAL BIKTARVY PATIENT

KEEP CONNECTING. 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.

Ask your healthcare provider if BIKTARVY is right for you.

See Hugo’s story at BIKTARVY.com.

Featured patient compensated by Gilead.

Please see Important Facts about BIKTARVY, including important warnings, on the previous page and visit BIKTARVY.com.

BVYC0369_BIKTARVY_B_10X11-7_ThePrideLA_Hugo_r1v1jl.indd 2

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West Hollywood Declares May 23rd “Born This Way Day” City celebrates 10 year anniversary of Lady Gaga hit song

By Timothy Michael The City of West Hollywood celebrated the 10 year anniversary of Lady Gaga’s hit song Born This Way by announcing “Born This Way Day”.

This year, to recognize Harvey Milk Dayweekend with something extra, the City of West Hollywood conferred a special Proclamation officially declaring Sunday, May 23, 2021 as “Born This Way Day” to honor Lady Gaga and the Born This Way Foundation on the 10th anniversary of the iconic “Born This Way” album and to recognize its cultural impact on the LGBTQ+ community.

A temporary pride flag “Born This Way’’ street painting on Robertson Blvd. was also unveiled in tribute to both the LGBTQIA+ community and the album itself.

The colorful street painting also kicks off Pride season in West Hollywood with the annual One City One Pride LGBTQ Arts Festival, which runs from Harvey Milk Day (May 22) to the end of June Pride month (June 30).

West Hollywood Mayor Lindsey P. Horvath

also presented Lady Gaga with a key to the city and this note of thanks: “Thank you for encouraging us to love ourselves and be proud!”

“Through her music and activism, Lady Gaga has become a cultural icon for our generation,” said City of West Hollywood Mayor Lindsey P. Horvath. “The anthem ‘Born This Way’ has become an out-andproud declarative stance for countless LGBTQ people. The Born This Way Foundation fosters honest conversations about mental health with young people and seeks to eradicate the stigma around mental health struggles. I’m overjoyed to declare today ‘Born This Way Day’ and, on behalf of the entire City Council, give a Key to the City to Lady Gaga as we launch Pride this year in West Hollywood!”

Lady Gaga, the Grammy and Oscar Awardwinning superstar, is also well known as a supporter and ally of the LGBTQ community.

Ten years ago, on May 23, 2011, the “Born This Way” album was released and its lead single became an LGBTQ anthem. The song has encouraged people of all sexual orientations, genders, ages, and races to accept themselves and others, and to embrace differences, reject prejudices, and feel empowered.

The pop icon took to social media to explain the inspiration behind Born This Way posting, “Born This Way, my song and album, were inspired by Carl Bean, a gay black religious activist who preached, sung and wrote about

being ‘Born This Way.’ Notably his early work was in 1975, 11 years before I was born. Thank you for decades of relentless love, bravery, and a reason to sing. So we can all feel joy, because we deserve joy. Because we deserve the right to inspire tolerance, acceptance, and freedom for all.”

In 2012, Lady Gaga and her mother, Cynthia Germanotta, founded the Born This Way Foundation, which supports the mental health of young people and works with them to create a kinder and braver world. The Born This Way Foundation develops innovative programming and partnerships to model, convene, and support healthy conversations about mental wellness, to connect youth with resources

and services that support their mental health – online and offline, and to encourage and build communities that understand and prioritize mental and emotional wellness.

Gaga’s team has also put together a “series of surprises” rolling out over the next month, including a “very special collection of songs from the album reimagined by prominent artists from the LGBTQIA+ community and allies,” as well as various partnerships, products and merchandise that will be announced soon.

Born This Way has since racked up 5.8 billion global streams, 5.2 million physical albums sold and 31 million digital tracks sold.

It was also Gaga’s first No. 1 album and it debuted at #1 in 25 countries.

The Trevor Project’s 2021 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health World’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ young people releases annual report

By Timothy Michael The Trevor Project’s third annual National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health emphasizes the need for greater investment in mental health care and intersectional policy solutions to confront the public health crisis of suicide.

On May 19th The Trevor Project, the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people, released the findings of its 2021 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health, representing the experiences of nearly 35,000 LGBTQ youth (ages 13-24) across the United States.

It’s estimated that 42% of LGBTQ youth, including more than half of transgender and nonbinary youth, seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year. Yet, nearly

half could not access the mental health care they desired.

The 2021 survey performed by The Trevor Project on LGBTQ youth mental health gives

new research that underscores mental health disparities faced by diverse LGBTQ youth

Tervor, see page 22

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LA Based Gay Comedian Nicky Paris Is Breaking Barriers

Photo: Michelle Torres-Garcia Nicky Parris performing in April at the HaHa Comedy Club

Broadway Production of My Big Gay Italian Funeral, he quickly carved himself a space in Los Angeles’ stand-up comedy scene

after becoming a west coast resident and can be seen nightly in Los Angeles’ premiere comedy clubs.

LA comedian on the rise

By Timothy Michael Nicky Paris is an LA Based gay comedian on the rise.

Making waves performing throughout the country, Paris has been featured on Wendy Williams, MTV, The Daddy Issues Podcast with Dean McDermott and Adam Hunter.

For Pride Month Paris will be performing at the legendary Laugh Factory in Las Vegas June 21-23 and opening for Eric D’Alessandro at The Mayo Performing Arts Center in New Jersey June 11-13, New York City, as well as The St. George Theater in Staten Island this October.

Paris began his comedy career at the age of 17 where he quickly became a fixture in the Big Apple’s comedy circuit however comedy was not always easy he admits.

Telling The Pride LA how he was once turned away from a legendary NYC comedy club for being gay at 18 years old.

When asked how difficult it is being a gay

“I love the Los Angeles comedy scene

comic in a heterosexually male dominated field Paris said, “I don’t find it hard; I find it to be an exciting challenge. Sure, there were people and gatekeepers who may not have embraced me when I first started, heck- there was even a club in New York when I first started when I was a teenager that straight up told me they wouldn’t put me up because I was gay. Although I was disappointed, I look at every rejection as a challenge. I truly believe funny is funny and I knew that if I worked hard and was irrevocably committed, my work would eventually speak for itself. I’m a comedian because I’m funny, not because I’m gay, and I do think that’s what the game should be all about. I want to be the funniest person on a lineup regardless of race, gender, and who I’m disappointing in the bedroom.”

While the pandemic stripped many comics of their livelihoods, Paris accepted

the challenge to pivot and reinvent and has been performing for the last year in unique settings around the country including the New York City subway, the back of pick-up trucks, rooftops, socially distanced indoor shows and virtual shows around the country.

First introduced to television viewers on The Wendy Williams Show as on-air talent at 19, Paris used his sharp wit and love for juicy, celebrity gossip for Wendy’s “Street Talk” segments where he quickly became a regular for the segment on the hit talk show.

Soon after, Elite Daily tapped Paris to become one of their lead cast members for their hit web show GEN WHY, where he has represented millennials for over six seasons along with some of the biggest internet personalities on the web.

After appearing on a handful of specials such as MTV’s Epic Fails of 2015, 2016, It’s Complicated and Video Love and the Off-

“I want to be the funniest person on a lineup regardless of race, gender, and who I’m disappointing in the bedroom.”

and I feel so grateful to be a part of it. It’s

been very kind to me while at the same time

challenging me. In LA, I’ve been the only person on a lineup without a TV show or

a special and it’s forced me to step up my game and grow to hold my own on these

monster lineups.” Paris added, “In Los

Angeles, you can literally be on a show at a comedy club with people you always looked up to and idolized – that never gets old for

me! New York’s comedy scene is different

but just as special. I will say there is nothing like a New York audience. I started doing standup in New York City when I was 17 and I used to work at Broadway Comedy

Club in the heart of Manhattan when I first

started. I worked for stage time instead of money. That’s how bad I wanted to do this.

Every four hours I worked I got 5 minutes

on stage and looking back, I was so lucky that I got that opportunity because it really gave me the chance to get up regularly and find my voice very early in my career.”

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LA Pride Announces LGBTQ Cinespia Event At Hollywood Forever Cemetery June 26, movie not yet announced

By Timothy Michael In honor of 2021’s “Thrive With Pride” theme LA Pride has announced a special night at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

LA Pride will not host their annual parade in West Hollywood in a departure from tradition, but organizers are planning other things to commemorate the moment.

LA Pride also announced a partnership with Cinespia for an LGBTQ+ movie night at the

Hollywood Forever Cemetery. The event will take place on June 26, with the movie title and tickets to be announced soon.

“It was always our intention to offer our community opportunities to safely celebrate Pride together in accordance with safety guidelines by both the CDC and Los Angeles County,” said Sharon-Franklin Brown, board president of the Christopher Street West Association, the nonprofit that produces the annual LA Pride celebration.

“It’s been two years since we all came together to celebrate in person. We know our community wants to be together and we want to do everything we can to create these moments,” she continued. “This is

why we’re providing other larger capacity, outdoor entertainment for all ages of our community. We’re working closely with city officials and local organizations to make sure these programs provide adequate safety and accessibility as well as reflect the resilience of all our people.”

In July of last year, festival organizer Christopher Street West announced that LA Pride would move its annual LGBTQ parade and celebrations out of West Hollywood after more than four decades in the city, but a new location has not been announced. The parade and festival were canceled for 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

LA Pride, from page 1

especially for underserved or overlooked members.

“To thrive means to flourish and progress despite the circumstances. Pride this year is a moment for you to stop and breathe,” Brown said. “It’s a moment to remember you’re not just surviving one of the hardest years in recent memory, but growing into your truth. If we as a community can come together, even for a moment, to realize we’ve broken down some barriers put on us, it’ll strengthen our resolve to continue tearing more down for those to come after us.”

Charli XCX will kick off LA Pride 2021 on Thursday night, June 10 with a free Thrive with Pride Concert, live streamed exclusively on TikTok. According to CSW, Charli XCX will perform “from a fabulous LA location.”

The 28-year-old British singer has spent last year working on new tracks by sharing and collaborating with her fans on Zoom. The resulting new album, How I’m Feeling Now received critical acclaim.

Next up is a weekend television special. LA Pride’s broadcast partner, ABC7/KABC-TV Los Angeles will air a one-hour primetime special, Thrive with Pride Celebration, on Saturday, June 12 at 9:00pm. Hosts Ellen Leyva and Brandi Hitt will be joined by Karl Schmid and Eric Resendiz as they present the best of LA Pride’s LGBTQ+ Los Angeles community.

Trans profiles, celebrity shout-outs, spotlights on LA Pride’s 2021 Honorees, a performance by the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles from the Getty Center, and much more.

There are also two in-person events planned. The first in-person event for LA Pride since 2019 will be June 11 with longtime community partner, the World Series-winning Los Angeles Dodgers. The second confirmed in-person event on June 26 represents a new collaboration with Cinespia, the producers of the legendary Hollywood Forever Cemetery outdoor movies. See more about these events on page 8 (cemetery) and page 10 (dodgers).

In addition CSW is partnering with Big

On June 12 ABC 7 will broadcast a one-hour primetime special for LA Pride

Sunday for the entire month of June to create Pride Makes a Difference, a 30-day calendar of events focused on volunteering, community service, and opportunities to donate time, goods and money to worthy causes that benefit the LGBTQ+ community, and Los Angeles nonprofits.

Pride Makes a Difference will have its own website with calls-to-action in the areas of food insecurity, housing insecurity, mental health and wellness, and abuse. A list of selected local organizations will be available to choose from, as well as event details, fun group

opportunities, and sign-up forms. CSW intends to make Pride Makes a Difference a permanent part of its Pride programming going forward.

“Part of the impact of Pride is giving back, so we’re excited to launch a new initiative to help support the LA community. We’ve partnered with a wonderful local nonprofit, Big Sunday, to create a special 30-day campaign to provide support, kindness, compassion, and help to those that need it most,” Big Sunday said. “We invite the Southern California community to join us in giving back by volunteering, donating resources and money to

the opportunities highlighted by LA Pride, with a focus on organizations that actively work with LGBTQ+ community.”

Visit lapride.bigsunday.org for volunteer opportunities.

All LA Pride 2021 events will use the hashtag #ThrivewithPride.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Los Angeles Pride parade in West Hollywood was cancelled, which would have been its 50th anniversary, and in its place a protest march was held on June 14th for All Black Lives Matter.

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“Love Letters” by artist Chris Classen.

The work is text based, messages of love and 2D work into a 3D, interactive space that loss, cut into colored transparent film, and placed encourages the public to take photos with their on borosilicate glass tubes (just larger than a fluorescent light bulb). The tubes are then slipped chosen families and loved ones. over bulbs in existing spaces to be found. Like a “The Mothers of Pride Pearly Gateway” by contemporary message in a bottle. artist Grey.

“Queer Bodies / Queer Identities” by artist Katt In many indigenous cultures queer beings were Fox. considered holy and to be gatekeepers in between “Queer Bodies / Queer Identities” is a personal this world and the rest. This piece is a play on exploration of body and mind. This body of work that indigenous ideology and western religions started as a way of creating identifiable imagery iconography and how they resonate within self that more so reflected a vision of the artist in their and our community. Where do our mothers go? mind’s eye. Over many years, and numerous Home. contributions later, we find a full breathe “The ArtsNotParts Archive” also by artist Grey. representing a community yearning for healing “ArtsNotParts” was a collective street art and liberation. movement made in response and defense of the “Protest and Pageantry” by artist trans community in 2017. An anti-trans bathroom UnderNewMGMT. bill was just passed inspiring Grey… to coInspired by trans performers turned activists, conspire with fellow artists and establishments “Protest and Pageantry” is both a memorial and to collaborate and reclaim space in communities celebration. This work aims to provide a space around the world by tagging streets, bathrooms, where the viewer can celebrate iconic trans and infamously Trump Tower in NYC in defense persons-of-color performers such as Marsha P. of trans rights. This archive symbolizes a step Johnson, Sir Lady Java, and Sylvia Rivera, as ISO 12647-7 Digital Control Strip 2009 taken to space and 100reclaim 100 70well pay 30 tribute 100 60 to the 40 100 3 60 100public70 30 share 100 60collective 100 numerous 10 25 50 75 90 100 70 30 100 40lost40 100 40 70 40 70 40 40 40 70 40 40 70 40 70 40 40 A trans lives love. to violence. This work is a collaboration by Queer “I Stand With Trans Youth” and “I’m Love My artists UnderNewMGMT and ShakesTheArtist.

Queer Family” by artist James Kinsley Daniel.

“Where Will U Take You” by artist Annie Allies in Arts wanted to respond to current Hong aka “Hootnannie”. are 10all40 40 different.

100 100 60 100 100 70 70 30 30 100 100 60 100 100 10.2 7.4 7.4every 25 19 19corner.

50 40 40 75 66 66 100 100 100 80 70 70 100 70 70 30 30 100 100 60 100 100 70 70 30 30 100 40 100 40e(we) 40 100 20 70 70 E(we) 70 70 40 are 70 40all 40 queer.

0 0 0 0 It’s 3.1 2.2 2.2around rises in transphobic legislation and rhetoric This piece is a colorful reminder to allow because of our differences that we are connected.

“A Very Gay Mural” by artists Jenson Titus and with interactive pieces visitors could pose with yourself to explore the infinite possibilities that Because of our differences, e(we) are all crazy Nic Scheppard. and photograph to show their support for trans exist within yourself. Where will you go, who will beautiful.

Nicholas Scheppard and Jenson Titus are Los youth and queer family. James Kinsley Daniel’s you be if you allow yourself to be free?

“Together forever” by artist Erick Luis.

Angeles based comedians who, through the use vision was to create a clean, simple backdrop “E(we) are all Crazy Beautiful!” by artist Ricky Supporting one another, spreading love of ancient gay wizardry, began turning walls gay with dimension and visual excitement. “”I love Sencion. a pattern and repeating geometric shapes. And a The installation features 21 of Ricky’s SHEEPT:10"and peace to the world. Together we’ll make with paint in 2020.

1970s throwback is always fun.” said Daniel.

MOONSTERS. Behind the series, is the idea that a difference by celebrating with Pride and Joy For more information visit smpride.com.

SaMo Pride, from page 1

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LGBTQ+ Night At Dodger Stadium June 11 against Texas Rangers

By Timothy Michael LA Pride has announced an LGBTQ+ Night at Dodger Stadium in lieu of its annual parade in West Hollywood.

The Los Angeles Dodgers and LA Pride invite fans to the eighth annual LGBTQ+ Pride Night at Dodger Stadium, presented by Blue Shield of California.

Ahead of the Los Angeles Dodgers June 11 game against the Texas Rangers, an LGBTQ+ artist yet to be announced will take the field to sing the National Anthem. The Dodgers will also sell a Pride Night ticket pack that includes a Dodgers Pride t-shirt, and after the game, vaccinated fans can take the field to watch the season’s first Friday Night Fireworks show featuring a mix from DJ Bowie Jane.

The event will also feature drink specials in the pavilion bars, a recognition of First Responders from the Los Angeles LGBTQ+ community and additional surprise guests featured during pregame ceremonies.

According to the LA Pride website in an effort to accommodate as many fans as possible for this popular event, the majority of tickets

available through the special event ticket pack link will be located in the fully-vaccinated only sections. In the fully-vaccinated only sections, social distancing will not be required, and fans will be seated directly next to other parties.

These sections will be reserved for fullyvaccinated patrons (i.e., patrons age 16 and older for whom at least two weeks have passed since they received their final vaccine dose) and children between the ages of 2 and 15 who can provide proof of having tested negative for COVID-19. Children under the age of 2 do not need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19

Dodger Stadium, May 29 2021

test. Face coverings are still required except while eating or drinking.

More information on the fully-vaccinated

Photo: Sam Catanzaro

only sections is available at Dodgers.com/ vaccinationzone and fans can visit dodgers. com/LAPride to learn more.

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Welly Partnering With PFLAG For Pride Month “None of us can do everything to overcome this injustice, but all of us can do something.”

By Timothy Michael Premium first aid brand, Welly is excited to announce they have partnered with PFLAG to celebrate Pride month.

Founded in 1973 after the simple act of a mother publicly supporting her gay son, PFLAG is the nation’s first and largest organization for LGBTQ+ people, their parents and families, and allies.

With over 400 chapters and 200,000 members and supporters crossing multiple generations of families in major urban centers, small cities, and rural areas across America, PFLAG is committed to creating a world where diversity is celebrated and all people are respected, valued, and affirmed.

Starting June 1st through the end of the month, a special product bundle will be available for purchase on the Welly website, including the Heroic Kit and Colorwash Onthe-Go Kit and a PFLAG “Pride Comes In All Colors” T-Shirt.

A percentage of proceeds, up to $10,000 will go directly to support PFLAG National and the amazing work they do to make sure

that all people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer are not only valued by society, but take pride in and value themselves.

According to its website PFLAG Los Angeles is “committed to the work of ending the violence and systemic racism that daily injures Black people, Indigenous people,

and People of Color. We welcome people of all ethnic groups, cultural backgrounds and nationalities, caring deeply for their dignity, equality and well-being.”

“Reaching communities of color with the PFLAG message of support, education, and advocacy has been and remains a priority of

our chapter, led by our African American and Latino board members.

While supporting LGBTQ individuals and their families in communities of color is our mission, we cannot be blind to the crushing inequality that burdens them. None of us can do everything to overcome this injustice, but all of us can do something.”

Welly was founded on the belief that people wear their bumps and scrapes like badges of honor. They were founded on the principle of helping people in pursuit of a well-lived life and never having a “skin tone” bandage – that their first aid would be as bright and bold as the communities where they live, work, and play.

Welly and PFLAG National believe wellness comes from love, affirmation, and celebration of people as they are. “Let’s wear our bandages like badges of honor for a life fully loved.”

Visit https://www.getwelly.com/collections/ bundles for more information.

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LOS ANGELES

6.4.2021 – 6.18.2021

Not eligible for all property types. Eligible for fixed rate, jumbo loans on primary or second homes only. Applicant subject to credit and underwriting approval. Not all applicants will be approved for financing. Receipt of application does not represent an approval for financing or interest rate guarantee. Restrictions may apply, contact Guaranteed Rate Affinity, LLC for current rates and for more information.

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6.4.2021 – 18.4.2021

LOS ANGELES

VGL LA: Queer+ Draft Kickball League 2021 Varsity Gay League is holding its annual Draft League

MAKE 2021 T N U O C

GET YOUR

By TimoThy michael Varsity Gay League is holding its annual Draft League held on Wednesday nights for 6 weeks.

Draft League means that all players register as “free agents” and will be drafted onto different teams to create balanced play.

Random strangers will be placed together on a team to create a new, exciting social sports experience.

The six week event is open to veteran players as well as brand new players.

Draft League will start Wednesday June 2nd and end July 7th at Poinsettia Park between 6:30pm-9:30pm. Early bird registration is $50 per player while regular registration is $55 per player. Late registration will cost $60 per player.

All players will be required to sign multiple covid waivers which are required by the city.

In addition, players are asked to sign the VGL Pledge, an agreement to respect the diversity of the community.

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STUDENTATHLETE

Teams are encouraged to create their own apparel and look and all sexualities, genders and personalities are welcome.

Unfortunately due to COVID-19 there will be no weekly after parties during this season however VGL encourages every team to support queer run businesses and bars to ensure the LGBTQ community has a community to go back to.

Varsity Gay League (VGL) is the nation’s original Queer+ recreational sports leagues, founded in 2007 and proudly representing over 25,000 LGBTQIA+ & allied athletes across the US. To register visit bit.ly/ VGLLosAngelesQueerSports

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6.4.2021 – 6.18.2021

LOS ANGELES

14

Drag Queen Bingo Supporting Ruff Patches

Popular LGBTQ spot Hamburger Mary’s West Hollywood hosting drag bingo

By TimoThy michael

Popular LGBTQ spot Hamburger Mary’s West Hollywood will be hosting its regular drag bingo to support Ruff Patches animal rescue.

Hamburger Mary’s West Hollywood’s Legendary Bingo was named “Best Bingo” by Los Angeles Magazine and L.A. Weekly and on June 2nd bingo lovers can attend to support a good cause.

The $20 suggested donation will benefit

Ruff Patches animal rescue and gets players 10 games of bingo, including the grand prize round. There will also be a live auction for amazing items.

Ruff Patches is a nonprofit organization that empowers Los Angeles area pet owners to keep their pets and help stem the flow of animals entering the City and County shelter systems and nonprofit rescue organizations.

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6.4.2021 – 18.4.2021

LOS ANGELES

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6.4.2021 – 6.18.2021

LOS ANGELES

16

Venice Pride Big Beach Clean Up June 5 at Pride Lifeguard tower in Venice

By Timothy Michael

In honor of Pride 2021 Heal the Bay and Venice Pride are organizing a beach cleanup called Venice Pride’s BIG Beach Cleanup.

On Saturday June 5th volunteers will meet at the Venice Pride Flag Lifeguard Tower north of the Skate Park at the end of Brooks Avenue at 8:30 a.m. All participants must register and sign a mandatory waiver.

Venice Pride’s BIG Beach Cleanup will be easy, fun and kick off the weekend with some excellent karma. It will be a great way to give back to the community given the “Thrive with Pride” theme for this year’s 2021 Pride. People are encouraged to get their family, friends or colleagues involved.

Cash is required if volunteers are planning to park in a parking lot (unfortunately there is no discounted parking). Street metered parking is also available and ride-sharing is encouraged.

Volunteers 12 and younger must be accompanied by an adult and volunteers under

18 must have a waiver signed by parent or guardian.

Venice Pride would also like to remind volunteers that they will be outside for 2-3 hours so wearing sunscreen is highly recommended. Beach weather can be unpredictably hot or cold, so dressing in layers is also recommended. They also encourage people to bring a filled reusable water bottle to stay hydrated (water is available at all cleanup sites), and to bring a snack.

According to Venice Pride’s website “Venice’s first Pride celebration took place on June 3, 2016, in an effort to protect an LGBTQ community at risk of extinction.

“A year later Venice Pride unveiled the Venice Pride Flag Lifeguard Tower, scored the first NFL team in history to sponsor an LGBT Pride event, promoted the opening of a new gay bar in Santa Monica, The Birdcage.

Venice Pride’s biggest accomplishment

was yet to come. In Fall 2017, Venice Pride announced amid much fanfare the return of Roosterfish. Made possible through a unique nonprofit partnership with the new operator, the beloved gathering place held its grand reopening in June 2018 to coincide with the third annual Venice Pride.

“What began as a grassroots push to promote visibility and a renewed sense of community

among Westside queer Angelenos each June is blossoming into a year-round organization with programming dedicated to saving lives through acceptance and diversity.”

Venice Pride is a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives through acceptance and diversity.

Visit venicepride.org/cleanup to register.

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6.4.2021 – 18.4.2021

LOS ANGELES

Crimson & Clover Studio De-stigmatizing Sex Through Humor

By Timothy Michael Crimson and Clover Studio is an online retailer that sells goods to invoke laughter and destigmatize sex through humor featuring many LGBTQ items for pride month.

Founder Rachel Khona, a woman who grew up in an Indian household where sex was taboo says, “I created Crimson and Clover Studio a) because I like to laugh and b) I want to make others laugh too. I also wanted to destigmatize

sex through humor. Sex is kinda funny, isn’t it?

Crimson and Clover Studio is irreverent, fun, sassy, silly, and funny and most importantly meant for everyone.”

Crimson and Clover Studio’s website features an array of kitschy-quote emblazoned goods ranging from apparel to accessories and

Clothing, see page 18

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6.4.2021 – 6.18.2021

LOS ANGELES

Column: Malibu is Poison Free, Are You? By aNDy loPeZ

I tell folks that I heal the soil. Healing the soil is really an art that has to be developed over time much like a doctor gains experience over time. I started early in my life healing the soil but I did not realize that is what I was doing until 1970 ( I started in 6th grade around 1966), however, I knew then that using chemical fertilizers was bad for the soil and in turn bad for the plants. My relationships with the plants and the soil started early in my life. I would see healthy plants or healthy trees and I would also see unhealthy plants and healthy trees and would wonder what was wrong with the sick ones. It didn’t take me long to realize that it all came down to what they were eating or rather what they weren’t eating.

At that time, I didn’t know about compost or about the little invisible army of the soil. I never used chemical fertilizers or any of those things. I was always natural and organic. So I began to look for the best sources of organic fertilizers. What really helped me in this search was a farmer I ran into one day. My dad would always take me to the local farmers market because I

was organic fruit and vegetables instead of the store bought junk. I knew that you are what you eat and figured it has to be the same with plants. One day on the way to the farmers market, I noticed a farmers stand selling organic produce, fruit and organic fertilizer. So I had my dad stop and check it out. He gave me a piece of fruit that tasted so amazing I had to have more.

I bought a lot from him that day (rather my dad did). I also asked him about what organic fertilizer he was selling. Turns out it was rock dust! That changed my life. The name is a general term for rocks that have been crushed into fine powder. Not just any rock, but rocks that are rich in minerals. We all need minerals but have you tried eating rocks?

The living soil is very good at turning rocks into a source of food for plants. That is why we eat plants and animals, for the minerals. The microbes in the soil have evolved over time to take rocks and convert them into an available source of food for the plants. It is important that all life gets the minerals they need to be healthy. We and the plants all need the identical trace minerals to be healthy. All plant and human diseases start in the soil. It is the microbes

Clothing, from page 17

home/office goods. With pride month right around the corner you can find a perfect gift for your LGBTQ+ friends and allies.

When speaking about her childhood Khona admitted she didn’t have an ideal childhood.

Growing up in a strict Indian household with a bipolar father and parents who were constantly fighting, she learned to find humor in the little things.

“The only thing that got me through it all (besides my dog Sparky, RIP), was humor” says Khona. “I would crack jokes constantly making fun of everything and everyone including myself, much to my parents’ chagrin.”

In her adulthood she found the opportunity to travel the world gaining self confidence and became a writer.

While watching an episode of Oprah “learning to become her best self” it dawned on Khona that she should take the large amount of sassy quotes she saved on her phone and turn them into greeting cards. That is how Crimson and Clover (named after the Jimmy Eat World song “A Praise Chorus”) was born.

Taking global warming into consideration and wanting to be environmentally conscious,, Crimson and Clover Studio is committed to minimizing its environmental impact as the company grows.

To mitigate the effects of shipping they offer carbon offsets with every purchase via Offset + Pachama. Offset combines industry

that control these diseases. Kill off these microbes and they will not be there to make the food that plants and us in turn need.

Let me help your soil to come back to life. My services are safe for the earth, safe for you. If you have a tree or plant let me heal them. I do a whole property natural microbial spraying on a monthly basis.

Andy Lopez For more information, please visit InvisibleGardener.com Any questions visit my website and use the contact form.

Photo: Courtesy

Andy Lopez, the founder of Invisible Gardener.

The Santa Clarita Valley (SCV) Pride Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to diversity, inclusivity and pride in oneself. The SCV Pride Center provides education, linkage to resources, support and advocacy for members of gender and sexual minority communities and their allies.

We are looking to connect with the community, local businesses and organizations. Please contact us: Email: Info@scvpridecenter.org Phone: 661-360-6638 Instagram: @scvpridecenter

PALM SPRINGS AIR MUSEUM data with data from businesses on Shopify to determine how much CO� emissions your shipments release into the atmosphere.

All of their apparel such as tee shirts are ecofriendly and sweatshop free and their apparel manufacturer uses solar energy, skylights, and LED to power it’s operations.

Crimson and Clover packaging is also plastic free. Cartons are made from a percentage of recycled content, which is recyclable. Their warehouse recycles between 80-100 tons of corrugate a year as well as 8-10 tons of clear plastic shrink wrap a year.

You can find Crimson & Clover products throughout certain stores in Los Angeles as well as online.

Visit their website https:// crimsonandcloverstudio.com.

Be inspired by one of the world’s largest collections of flying World War II combat aircraft, plus Korea & Vietnam. Photographs, memorabilia, volunteer docents and Warbird Rides for sale enhance your visit.

9,500 volume resource library with computer flight simulators, kids? area and unique gift shop.

Open daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas & February 18, 2022 745 N. Gene Autry Trail Palm Springs 760-778-6262 www.palmspringsairmuseum.org

6.4.2021 – 18.4.2021

LOS ANGELES

Dream Vacations on Sale

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How to Know if Your Child is Ready for Summer Camp

Book by June 22nd, 2021!

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The value listed is per booking and equals the total of the Pay in Full Offer2 plus the Dream Vacations Offer3 plus for the participating Hawai’i properties when you add air. 2Offer only valid on qualified bookings made through your AAA Travel Advisor. Minimum purchase required to qualify for offer. Maximum one (1) travel credit per booking. Offer valid only on new bookings made on or after February 1, 2021 with full deposit no later than June 30, 2021 for travel commencing no later than December 31, 2021. Incentive will be provided to lead client/trip payee following trip departure. Deposited bookings of $2,000 – $3,999 qualify to receive a $50 credit; bookings of $4,000 – $7,999 qualify to receive a $75 credit; bookings of $8,000 – $9,999 qualify to receive a $100 credit; bookings of $10,000 – $11,999 qualify to receive a $150 credit; bookings of $12,000 – $14,999 qualify to receive a $250 credit; bookings $15,000+ qualify to receive a $375 credit.

Booked and paid-in-full travel credit value requires payment-in-full at time of booking. Paid-in-full bookings of $2,000 – $3,999 qualify to receive a $100 credit; bookings of $4,000 – $7,999 qualify to receive a $150 credit; bookings of $8,000 – $9,999 qualify to receive a $200 credit; bookings of $10,000 – $11,999 qualify to receive a $300 credit; bookings of $12,000 – $14,999 qualify to receive a $500 credit; bookings $15,000+ qualify to receive a $750 credit. Valid only on cruise or tour bookings provided through one of AAA’s preferred travel providers; not valid on Fly/ Drive packages. Incentives cannot be substituted, are nonrefundable, and nontransferable. The promotion’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 promotion. AAA disclaims responsibility for any products or services purchased using a gift card provided under the promotion. Gift cards/certificates are subject to the issuing merchant’s terms and conditions, which are subject to change at merchant’s sole discretion. A U.S. address is required for delivery. 3Valid on new bookings made April 23, 2021 – June 22, 2021 for travel April 23, 2021 – December 14, 2021. Minimum five nights’ accommodations at a participating resort or hotel and round trip airfare required (excludes Hawai’i inter-island flights). $150 activity voucher is nonrefundable, nontransferable, has no cash value and applies to Hawai’i destination with participating resorts. Savings of $100 is not reflected in rates shown and applies to Mexico and Caribbean destinations with participating resorts AAA Travel Alert: Many travel destinations have implemented COVID-19-related restrictions. Before making travel plans, check to see if hotels, attractions, cruise lines, tour operators, restaurants and local authorities have issued health and safety-related restrictions or entry requirements. The local tourism board is a good resource for updated information. Unless otherwise indicated: Rates quoted are accurate at time of publication & are per person, based on double occupancy. Airfare, taxes, fees, surcharges, gratuities, transfers & excursions are additional.Advertised rates do not include any applicable daily resort or facility fees payable directly to the hotel at check-out; such fee amounts will be advised at the time of booking.

Rates, terms, conditions, availability, itinerary, taxes, fees, surcharges, deposit, payment, cancellation terms/conditions & policies subject to change without notice at any time. Cruise rates capacity-controlled. Advance reservations through AAA Travel required to obtain Member Benefits & savings which may vary based on departure date. Rates may be subject to increase after full payment for increases in government-imposed taxes or fees & supplier-imposed fees. Blackout dates & other restrictions may apply. Not responsible for errors or omissions. Your local AAA club acts as an agent for Pleasant Holidays®. CST 1016202-80. To learn how we collect and use your information, visit the privacy link at AAA.com. ©2021 Auto Club Services, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

1

From Stratford School, West Los Angeles When your child hits a certain age, you might think that they’re ready for summer camp or sleepaway camp. However, being ready for camp isn’t as clear as reaching an age. Many kids start summer camp when they’re 8 to 10 years old. Other kids aren’t ready until they’re 11 or 12. To figure out if your child is ready for summer camp, take a look at their maturity level and personality by asking yourself these questions below.

How independent is my child?

Independence is a big factor when determining if your child is ready. At summer camp, and especially sleepaway camp, your child must be independent enough to do some things, like brush their teeth, shower or bathe, dress themselves, and navigate most of their daily routine on their own. Camp counselors may remind campers about their personal hygiene, but it’s most important that kids already know how to do this.

Is my child confident when trying new things?

For most children, going to summer camp or sleepaway camp is an opportunity to experience new things. Is your child ready to handle it with confidence?

Your child will likely participate in many activities that they haven’t tried before, from archery and sailing to pottery and ceramics.

If your child reacts positively when being introduced to brand new things, they’re likely ready for camp.

Does my child take direction well?

Camp life is filled with schedules, planned activities, and rules. Does your child follow instructions well? Do they listen, remember directions, and follow through on what they’re

told? If your child has a stubborn streak or still has tantrums when they’re told what to do, they may not be ready yet.

Is my child asking to go to camp?

Here’s a sign as clear as day that your child is ready for camp: they’re asking you to go!

Maybe they’ve never experienced camp before and they’ve heard about it from their friends at school. Or maybe your child has been to day camps and is ready for a new adventure at an overnight camp. In either case, if they’re asking to go, that’s a very good sign that they’re ready for it.

What do I want my child to learn?

When you’ve determined that your child is ready, ask yourself what you want them to learn at camp. Many summer camps and sleepaway camps are tailored towards certain activities, educational subjects, or adventures.

If you want your child to spend more time outdoors and moving around, an adventure camp with hiking, canoeing, and survival skills is a good option. Is your child a budding creative type? Check out the arts summer camps that focus on theater, dance, art, or writing.

Try Summer@Stratford Summer@Stratford infuses a STEAM curriculum into an enriching, fun summer camp experience. Summer@Stratford has designed subject-based, engaging camp experiences for preschoolers and kindergarteners, elementaryage kids, and middle schoolers. Learn more about Stratford’s West Los Angeles summer camp program today!

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6.4.2021 – 6.18.2021

LOS ANGELES

LGBTQ Owned High Hemp Features First Organic Hemp Wrap

By Timothy Michael

A Yacht Experience Like No Other

The Duchess Yacht Charter Service is the area’s premier, and preferred, upscale yacht charter service, serving guests from our local areas and around the world for the past 8 years. The Duchess Yacht Charter Service owns and operates the 3 most popular vessels on the entire coast, serving group sizes from intimate couples to groups as large as 41 passengers. Our vessels are consistently Captained and crewed with the same highly trained and properly licensed crews, creating a relationship with our guests while providing experiences tailored to their individual desires. All of our vessels are inspected and examined by the US Coast Guard and held to the highest standards of safety, while creating a variety of experiences on the ocean from Sunset and Coastal Cruises, Whale and Dolphin viewing, Marriage proposals, Weddings, Watersports and Fishing, to Catalina Island day trips and extended overnight trips as far away as the Channel Islands and Morro Bay. Being an owner operated service with complete control of scheduling, we are able to enhance our guests’ experience by giving them what they want, not what we want. This combined with beautiful, highly maintained vessels, experienced crews and a large menu of services, will allow most anyone to create their time on the water to be the experience they are looking for. Please contact our office, 7:00am.-7:00pm. 7 days a week at 310-571-8902 for information, pricing and booking. You may also view one of our many websites starting with www.theduchessyacht.com.

High Hemp features the world’s first ever organic hemp wrap which is revolutionizing the cannabis industry by offering a cleaner and more flavorful experience.

Since California voters passed the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, or Proposition 64, on November 8, 2016 which established sales and cultivation taxes and legalized the sale, possession, growing, and consumption of cannabis for adults 21 and older for nonmedical purposes several entrepreneurs jumped at the new money making opportunity.

Paula Fernandez, a 30-year-old entrepreneur and member of the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities founded High Hemp.

Herbal wraps can be used to smoke herbs (or marijuana if you’re in a legal state). Similar to rolling paper (i.e.,” rolling a joint”), their wraps are a bit thicker and made from hemp.

Containing zero traces of nicotine, tobacco, or toxic additives they are also certified organic, vegan, gluten free and GMO-free.

High Hemp wraps are the best alternative to all the harsh toxic ingredients used in traditional wraps today. They have the smooth taste of traditional hemp rolling paper, but the even slow burn of a traditional tobacco wrap.

Retailing for $15.99 for 10 pouches which include 2 Wraps & 2 tips per pouch.

The High Hemp Co, is the first ever all organic herbal wrap company. We’re breaking the trend of tobacco based products and creating brands like High Hemps. We pride ourselves in creating tobacco free organic wraps that contain zero traces of nicotine, tobacco, or toxic additives. We’re opening the door to a whole new market without the need

of historically used tobacco based products.

Unfortunately due to the Coronavirus pandemic California’s legal marijuana industry faced a year of declining sales last year as a result.

Gov. Gavin Newsom projected in January 2020 that the state’s cannabis excise tax would bring in $479 million last year and $590 million in the fiscal year starting July 1 2020, but his revised budget now forecasts just $443 million for last year and a decline to $435 million in 2021.

In an attempt to help the state’s legal pot industry weather a downturn, the Newsom administration has relaxed some restrictions on how cannabis firms operate, deferred license renewal fees and extended the deadline for filing first quarter tax returns last year.

6.4.2021 – 18.4.2021

LOS ANGELES

⚫ 21

The Abbey Food & Bar Celebrates 30 Years

By TimoThy michael On May 23rd The Abbey Food & Bar celebrated 30 years since its founding in May 1991. The Abbey has become an epicenter of the Local LGBTQ Community in West Hollywood.

Each year, the City of West Hollywood celebrates the artistic contributions of the LGBTQ community with its vibrant 40-day-long One City One Pride LGBTQ Arts Festival. The festival kicked-off on Harvey Milk Day, Saturday, May 22, 2021 and runs through Wednesday, June 30, 2021, which marks the end of Pride month.

This year, to recognize Harvey Milk Dayweekend with something extra, the City of West Hollywood conferred a proclamation officially declaring Sunday, May 23, 2021 as “The Abbey Day” on the occasion of celebrating The Abbey Food & Bar’s 30 years of success.

Proclamation marking this official declaration was presented by Mayor Lindsey P. Horvath to David Cooley, owner of The Abbey, on behalf of the City Council of the City of West Hollywood.

The Abbey Food & Bar opened in West Hollywood in May 1991. Since then, it has

become a social and cultural epicenter for the local LGBTQ community. Thirty years ago, David Cooley, founder and owner of The Abbey, invested in a small, discreet space in West Hollywood that he renovated into a coffeehouse. During three decades, The Abbey has expanded five times, growing from a humble coffee shop to a 16,000-square-foot venue with multiple rooms, four bars, and a full menu.

“David Cooley and The Abbey have made an indelible impact on West Hollywood,” said Mayor Horvath. “The Abbey is as much a community hub as it is a global destination. It generously gives back by supporting dozens of LGBTQ and nonprofit groups, including regularly hosting events to support local organizations. We are so lucky to have The Abbey in our community and I’m thrilled to celebrate its 30 years of

success!”

In addition to a restaurant and bar, The Abbey serves as a de facto community center, often becoming a place to gather in protest or celebration of important milestones impacting the LGBTQ community, such as the passage of Proposition 8 in California or the announcement of the Supreme Court decision affirming the right of same-sex couples to get married.

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6.4.2021 – 6.18.2021

LOS ANGELES

Tervor, from page 4

amid the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

More than 80% of LGBTQ youth stated that COVID-19 made their living situation more stressful — and only 1 in 3 LGBTQ youth found their home to be LGBTQaffirming.

Among LGBTQ respondents, 12% of white youth attempted suicide compared to 31% of Native/Indigenous youth, 21% of Black youth, 21% of multiracial youth, 18% of Latinx youth, and 12% of Asian/Pacific Islander youth.

Transgender and nonbinary youth attempt suicide less when respect is given to their pronouns and they are allowed to officially change their legal documents.

An overwhelming majority of LGBTQ youth also reported recent symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder or major depressive disorder, yet nearly half of respondents reported wanting mental health care in the past year but were not able to get it.

With 45% of respondents being LGBTQ youth of color and 38% being transgender or nonbinary, this survey provides critical insights into suicide risk factors, the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health care disparities, discrimination, food insecurity, and conversion therapy.

In addition to highlighting these serious challenges, the data underscores the importance of LGBTQ-affirming spaces and practices.

The study also speaks to the potential impacts of current events, with 94% of LGBTQ youth reporting that recent politics negatively impacted their mental health and 70% stating that their mental health was “poor” most of the time or always during COVID-19. Half of all LGBTQ youth of color reported discrimination based on their race/ethnicity in the past year, including 67% of Black LGBTQ youth and 60% of Asian/Pacific Islander LGBTQ youth.

“The past year has been incredibly difficult for so many LGBTQ young people because of multiple crises, from the COVID-19 pandemic to the hostile political climate and repeated acts of racist and transphobic violence. This data makes clear that LGBTQ youth face unique mental health challenges and continue to experience disparities in access to affirming care, family rejection, and discrimination,” said Amit Paley, CEO & Executive Director, The Trevor Project.

“We are proud that this survey sample is our most diverse yet, with 45% being LGBTQ youth of color and 38% being transgender or nonbinary. The data speaks to the wide variety of experiences and identities held by LGBTQ youth across the country,

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and emphasizes the need for comprehensive, intersectional policy solutions to confront systemic barriers and end suicide.”

Across The Trevor Project’s 24/7 crisis services platforms, LGBTQ youth have expressed a wide range of struggles over the last year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reveals that more than 80% of LGBTQ youth stated that COVID-19 made their living situation more stressful, and only 1 in 3 youth found their home to be LGBTQ-affirming. Further, nearly 40% of LGBTQ youth who had a job reported that they lost it during the pandemic. And 30% of LGBTQ youth reported having trouble affording enough food in the past month, including half of all Native/Indigenous LGBTQ youth and more than 1 in 3 Black and Latinx LGBTQ youth. Historically, both unemployment and food insecurity have been consistent risk factors for suicide.

“The Trevor Project is the largest suicide prevention organization for LGBTQ youth, but even we do not know how many LGBTQ youth die by suicide each year because that data is simply not collected systematically. This third annual survey aims to fill the gaps in the limited research we do have on LGBTQ youth mental health and suicide risk as a means to raise public awareness and improve public health interventions,” said Dr. Amy Green, Vice

President of Research, The Trevor Project.

“These findings are extremely concerning as they highlight many distinct factors that contribute to LGBTQ youth suicide risk.

But we encourage lawmakers, public health officials, and youth-serving organizations to focus on the protective factors illuminated in the data, which point to best practices on how to better support LGBTQ young people.

Once again, we find that LGBTQ-affirming spaces and transgender-inclusive policies and practices are consistently associated with lower rates of attempting suicide.”

Survey results demonstrate that respecting transgender and nonbinary youth’s pronouns and allowing them to change their name and/ or gender marker on legal documents are associated with lower rates of attempting suicide.

Paley added, “To all the lawmakers considering anti-transgender bills across the county — we urge you to take a hard look at this evidence and take time out of your day to actually meet with the transgender and nonbinary youth who would be harmed by your misguided proposals. Affirming a young person in their gender identity is strongly associated with lower suicide risk.

That’s why we should be expanding systems of support and implementing more inclusive policies, not denying trans youth access to affirming spaces and care.”

6.4.2021 – 18.4.2021

LOS ANGELES

THE FUN NEVER ENDS!

THE WORLD’S BEST TASTING VODKA. Photography: Paulrobinsonart.com

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6.4.2021 – 6.18.2021

LOS ANGELES

SA N T A M ON I C A C OL L E GE

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SANTA MONICA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES Rob Rader, Chair; Dr. Louise Jaffe, Vice Chair; Dr. Susan Aminoff; Dr. Nancy Greenstein; Dr. Margaret Quiñones-Perez; Dr. Sion Roy; Barry A. Snell; Joshua Elizondo, Student Trustee; Kathryn E. Jeffery, Ph.D., Superintendent/President Santa Monica College | 1900 Pico Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90405 | smc.edu