News
All of Trump’s anti-LGBT actions since last Pride (plus a few welcome moves)
Acts against LGBT people far outweigh beneficial policy


President Donald Trump (Photo public domain)
President Trump acknowledged Pride month via Twitter last week, but his well wishes for the LGBT community fell on skeptical ears following the extensive anti-LGBT actions of his administration.
In just the year since last Pride, the tally of anti-LGBT actions from the Trump administration dwarf the number of good things that have come from his presidency for the LGBT community.
With Pride celebrations underway, the Blade presents a list in no particular order of Trump’s positive and negative actions with direct impact on the LGBT community since 2018’s Pride celebration.
(-) 1. Embracing the Masterpiece Cakeshop decision
When the U.S. Supreme Court issued a narrow ruling last year in favor of Colorado baker Jack Phillips, many observers saw the decision as limited. After all, justices declined to find the First Amendment right Phillips asserted to refuse to make custom-made wedding cakes for same-sex couples.
But the Trump administration fully embraced the decision as a win for “religious freedom.” White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the court “rightly concluded” the Colorado Civil Rights Commission “failed to show tolerance and respect” for Phillips’ religious beliefs.
Soon after, the Labor Department issued guidance to ensure enforcement of LGBT non-discrimination rules complied with the ruling’s deference to religious freedom, even though the Trump administration wasn’t required to take that action.
(-) 2. White House meeting with Ginni Thomas
President Trump continues to meet with anti-LGBT activists in the White House, including a recent high-profile discussion with Ginni Thomas, the wife of conservative U.S. Associate Justice Clarence Thomas.
The New York Times reported Trump met in January with anti-LGBT activists led by Thomas in the Roosevelt Room of the White House. As Trump was reportedly “listening quietly,” members of the group denounced transgender people serving in the U.S. military.
In addition to decrying transgender military service, the anti-LGBT activists said women shouldn’t serve in the military “because they had less muscle mass and lung capacity than men.” They also said the Supreme Court ruling for marriage equality is “harming the fabric of the United States” and sexual assault isn’t pervasive in the military, according to the New York Times.
(-) 3. Coming out against the Equality Act
In the same week the U.S. House voted to approve the Equality Act, legislation that would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to ban anti-LGBT discrimination, Trump came out against the bill.
In an exclusive statement to the Blade, a senior administration official said Trump opposes the Equality Act based on unspecified “poison pill” amendments to the legislation.
“The Trump administration absolutely opposes discrimination of any kind and supports the equal treatment of all; however, this bill in its current form is filled with poison pills that threaten to undermine parental and conscience rights,” the official said via email.
(+) 4. AIDS advisory council restaffed
One year after firing all members of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS without explanation as first reported by the Blade, Trump restaffed the advisory body with 11 new appointees.
Carl Schmid, deputy director of the AIDS Institute, and John Wiesman, secretary of health in Washington State, were named as co-chairs for the advisory council. Months later, the Department of Health & Human Services named nine additional members to PACHA from a variety of professions, including the pharmaceutical industry, activism and academia.
(-) 5. Trans military ban implemented
After the U.S. Supreme Court essentially green lighted Trump’s ban on transgender people in the military, the Defense Department implemented the policy in April.
Denying the transgender ban is, in fact, a ban, the policy prohibits anyone who has undergone gender reassignment surgery from enlisting in the military and requires anyone who identifies as transgender to serve in their biological sex (which would be a small number of transgender people.) Although transgender people who were already serving openly won an exemption, individuals who are diagnosed in the future with gender dysphoria or obtain transition-related care would be discharged.
(-) 6. Brief against trans protections under Title VII
In a brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court not to take up a case seeking clarification on whether anti-trans discrimination is a form of sex discrimination under federal law, the Trump administration asserted the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals wrongly decided transgender people have protections under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
“The court of appeals’ conclusion that gender-identity discrimination categorically constitutes sex discrimination under Title VII is incorrect,” the filing says. “As discussed above, the ordinary meaning of ‘sex’ does not refer to gender identity…The court’s position effectively broadens the scope of that term beyond its ordinary meaning. Its conclusion should be rejected for that reason alone.”
(-) 7. List of anti-LGBT appointments grows
The U.S. Senate continues to confirm Trump’s appointments, many of whom have long anti-LGBT records. The latest will reportedly be former Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, who once said homosexual acts are “against nature and are harmful to society,” for a position at the Department of Homeland Security
Other confirmations include U.S. District Judge Howard Nielson of Utah, who as an attorney argued a gay judge shouldn’t be able to decide the case against California’s Proposition 8, and U.S. District Judge Chad Readler of Ohio, who as acting assistant U.S. attorney general penned his name to briefs in favor of the transgender military ban and against LGBT protections under Title VII.
(+) 8. But a few are from the LGBT community
A handful of Trump’s appointments are from the LGBT community. Among them is former Log Cabin Republicans executive director R. Clarke Cooper, whom Trump appointed to a senior position at the State Department for political-military affairs. The Senate confirmed Cooper in April.
Other new LGBT appointments are Mary Rowland, a lesbian with ties to the LGBT group Lambda Legal whom Trump named to a federal judgeship in Illinois; and Patrick Bumatay, a gay federal prosecutor whom Trump named for a seat on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. Both nominations are pending before the Senate.
(-) 9. Draconian anti-trans memo leaked
An explosive report in the New York Times last year exposed a planned memo within the Department of Health & Human Services that would effectively erase transgender people from federal law, igniting a massive outcry among transgender rights supporters.
The proposal reportedly asserts Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which bars sex discrimination in schools, doesn’t apply to transgender people and calls for government agencies to adopt an explicit and uniform definition of sex “on a biological basis that is clear, grounded in science, objective and administrable.” A dispute about one’s sex, the New York Times reported, would have to be clarified using genetic testing.
(-) 10. Anti-trans ‘conscience rule’ is final
The memo as described by the Times never came to light, but months later HHS did implement an anti-trans “conscience rule” allowing health care providers to opt out of procedures over which they have religious objections, including abortions or gender reassignment surgery.
Trump announced the rule was final during a speech in the White House Rose Garden on the National Day of Prayer.
(-) 11. HHS seeks to undo trans health rule
HHS wasn’t done. Weeks after the conscience rule was final, the department announced a proposed rule seeking to undo regulations in health care against anti-trans discrimination.
The Obama-era regulations asserted Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, which bars sex discrimination in health care, also covers discrimination on the basis of gender identity. Under the Trump rule, HHS would disavow those protections. (The Obama-era rule was already enjoined by a federal judge.)
(-) 12. Ending visas for unmarried partners of diplomats
The State Department last year cancelled visas for the unmarried same-sex partners of diplomats to the United States.
By canceling these visas for these partners, the State Department forced these partners to either marry or get out, which complicated matters if these diplomats are from countries where same-sex marriage isn’t legal. At the time of the decision, only 25 countries recognized same-sex marriage.
(-) 13. Proposal to gut trans protections at homeless shelters
Despite assurances from Secretary of Housing & Urban Development Ben Carson LGBT non-discrimination rules for federally funded housing would remain in place, HUD has proposed a rule that would gut transgender protections at homeless shelters.
The HUD proposal would allow homeless shelters with sex-segregated facilities — such as bathrooms or shared sleeping quarters — to establish policy consistent with state and local laws in which operators consider a range of factors when determining where to place individuals looking to stay, including “religious beliefs.”
(+) 14. Trump announces HIV plan in State of the Union
Trump in his State of the Union address announced an initiative to end the HIV epidemic by 2030, asserting “remarkable progress in the fight against HIV and AIDS” in recent years.
“Scientific breakthroughs have brought a once-distant dream within reach,” Trump said. “My budget will ask Democrats and Republicans to make the needed commitment to eliminate the HIV epidemic in the United States within 10 years. We have made incredible strides. Incredible. Together, we will defeat AIDS in America and beyond.”
The plan seeks to reduce new HIV diagnoses by 75 percent within five years, and by 90 percent within 10 years. Efforts will focus on 48 counties, D.C., and San Juan, Puerto Rico and seven states where the epidemic is mostly in rural areas.
(+) 15. And the budget follows through with that request
Trump’s budget request for fiscal year 2020 made good on his pledge in the State of the Union address, seeking $300 million in new funds for domestic HIV programs.
The bulk of the $300 million figure is an additional $140 million requested for HIV prevention at the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, which is a 19 percent increase in its overall budget from fiscal year 2019. The rest is $70 million for the Ryan White Health Care Program, $50 million for PrEP services at HRSA centers and $25 million to screen for HIV and treat Hepatitis C.
(-) 16. But NIH and global AIDS programs slashed
But the same budget sought to slash funds for the National Institutes for Health, which conducts HIV research, and global AIDS programs like PEPFAR. Moreover, the plan sought to make Medicaid a block-grant program, even though 40 percent of people with HIV rely on it. Congress ended up rejecting the cuts, fully funding NIH and global AIDS programs.
(-) 17. Giving Pete Buttigieg nickname of ‘Alfred E. Neuman’
Consistent with his track record of giving his political opponents nicknames, Trump gave an unflattering moniker to Pete Buttigieg, the gay presidential candidate with growing support in the Democratic primary.
Trump dubbed him “Alfred E. Neuman,” the Mad Magazine character famous for the phrase, “What Me Worry?” In a dog whistle that perhaps gay people could hear, Trump said, “Alfred E. Neuman cannot become president of the United States.”
(+) 18. Recognizing global initiative to end anti-gay laws
In his tweet recognizing June as Pride Month, Trump also acknowledged his global initiative to decriminalize homosexuality. Currently, same-sex relations are illegal in 71 countries.
The project is spearheaded by U.S. Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell, the highest-ranking openly gay person in the Trump administration.
Previously, Trump seemed unaware of the project. Asked about it by reporters, Trump said, “I don’t know which report you’re talking about. We have many reports.”
(-) 19. No State Dept. recognition of Pride Month, IDAHO
In contrast to Trump, the State Department in 2019 issued no statement recognizing Pride Month, nor weeks before did it recognize the International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia.
In 2018, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued statements recognizing Pride Month and IDAHO. Coming off a confirmation process in which he was criticized as homophobic, Pompeo said “too many governments continue to arrest and abuse their citizens simply for being lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex.”
(-) 20. Refusing to recognize birthright of child to gay couple
Consistent with the policy of cracking down on immigration, the Trump administration refused to recognize the birthright citizenship of the son of U.S.-citizen Andrew Dvash-Banks and his Israeli husband Elad Dvash-Banks.
The couple had two twin boys conceived via a surrogate mother in Canada. The State Department, however, required a DNA test to prove the children were related to the couple to provide them U.S. passports. One child, Aiden, was deemed a citizen because he’s the biological son of Andrew, but the other, Ethan, wasn’t because he’s the biological son of Elad.
(-) 21. And appealed a court ruling for the couple
When the couple sued the Trump administration, a court sided with the couple in granting birthright citizenship to Ethan.
However, the State Department refused to accept the decision and appealed the ruling to the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, where the case remains pending. A mediation document reveals the State Department insists on its policy of “a biological relationship between a U.S. citizen parent and a child born outside the United States” to grant citizenship.
(-) 22. LGBT protections watered-down in USMCA
An initial version of the USMCA trade agreement with Canada and Mexico contained at the behest of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau language a call for countries to adopt policies “against sex-based discrimination, including on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.”
But Trudeau publicly buckled when asked about his commitment. After additional negotiations with the Trump administration, a footnote was added to USMCA stating Title VII in the United States, which bars discrimination on the basis of sex in the workforce, was sufficient to meet the requirements of the deal.
(-) 23. DOJ’s ‘Religious Liberty Task Force’
Before he was sacked by Trump, former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions held a summit at the Justice Department on religious freedom featuring Masterpiece Cakeshop’s Jack Phillips and Catholic leaders.
At the summit, Sessions established the Religious Liberty Task Force. The goal of the task force was to ensure his memo on “religious freedom” — widely seen as guidance in support of anti-LGBT discrimination — was being implemented throughout the federal government.
(+) 24. Hailing PrEP deal with Truvada as ‘great news’
The Department of Health & Human Services reached a deal with Gilead to make PrEP available for generic production one year earlier and to secure a donation of the medication for up to 200,000 individuals each year for up to 11 years.
Trump took to Twitter to hail the agreement: “Great news today: My administration just secured a historic donation of HIV prevention drugs from Gilead to help expand access to PrEP for the uninsured and those at risk. Will help us achieve our goal of ending the HIV epidemic in America!”
(-) 25. Deleting trans employee guidance on OPM website
In a little-noticed development over the holidays, guidance on the Office of Personnel Management’s website for federal workers who are transgender was deleted without explanation.
The Obama-era guidance spelled out the definition of terms for transgender identities and expectations for respecting transgender workers. The guidance ensured transgender people could dress according to their gender identity, be addressed by their preferred gender pronouns and use restrooms and locker rooms consistent with their gender identity.
(+) 26. U.S. joins OSCE in calling for Chechnya investigation
Under the Trump administration, the United States joined 15 allied countries at the U.S. Organization for Security & Cooperation in Europe in the creation of a probe to investigate alleged anti-gay human rights abuses in Chechnya.
The report concluded, as the United States and human rights organizations long believed, Chechen government officials engaged in human rights violations, including “harassment and persecution, arbitrary or unlawful arrests or detentions, torture, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial executions.” Victims were LGBT people, human rights defenders, journalists and members of civil society.
(-) 27. But U.S. didn’t sign U.N. statement against atrocities
Months later, the United States was nowhere to be found on a United Nations statement signed by more than 30 countries calling for a thorough investigation of the Chechnya atrocities. The State Department said the United States didn’t sign because it withdrew from the U.N. Human Rights Council “and no longer participates in its sessions.”
(-) 28. State Department proposes ‘natural law’ commission
LGBT rights supporters are viewing with skepticism a State Department proposal to create a “natural law” commission, which is set to “provide fresh thinking about human rights discourse where such discourse has departed from our nation’s founding principles of natural law and natural rights.”
The term “natural law” has been used to express condemnation of LGBT identities in religious discourse.
(-) 29. Eliminating LGBT youth data question in foster care
The Trump administration has proposed eliminating requirements for case workers to ask LGBT youth in foster care about their sexual orientation of youth for data collection purposes.
Although the Department of Health & Human Services concluded it was “intrusive and worrisome,” LGBT rights advocates say the questions are necessary to ascertain disparities facing LGBT youth in the foster care and adoption systems.
(-) 30. Trump stands with anti-LGBT adoption agencies
In a speech at the National Prayer Breakfast, Trump expressed solidarity with religious-affiliated adoption agencies, who are bristling over LGBT non-discrimination requirements to obtain federal funding.
“My administration is working to ensure that faith-based adoption agencies are able to help vulnerable children find their forever families while following their deeply held beliefs,” Trump said.
(-) 31. And defends Karen Pence teaching at anti-LGBT school
In the same speech, Trump also defended second lady Karen Pence for her decision to teach art at a Christian school in Virginia, which has a policy against employing LGBT teachers or admitting LGBT students.
“She just went back to teaching art classes at a Christian school,” Trump said, “Terrific woman.”
Features
New mayor Chelsea Byers, hopes to make WeHo a model city for others to follow
She has big plans, but can they withstand the Trump administration?

West Hollywood’s new mayor Chelsea Byers has lofty ambitions to make the 1.8-square-mile city, a model for other cities in the region.
She hopes to deal with compounding crises of housing affordability, traffic congestion, climate change and a new federal government that’s slashing programs and services many people – especially LGBTQ people – rely on.
But can Byers, who was elected to city council in November 2022 and selected as
mayor by council in January, really make a difference during her one-year stint in the
city’s top job?
Byers believe she can.
On one of the biggest challenges facing West Hollywood residents – housing
affordability – Byers fully embraces more housing development.
“For 80% of the city of West Hollywood including myself, who are renters, accessing a
home that is affordable is a very difficult thing. And the way that cities can address that
cost is frankly, by building more housing,” said Byers.
Byers also says she fully accepts the state’s regional housing needs assessment, which
assigned West Hollywood a target of building 3,933 new housing units in the next eight
years. That’s a tall order, given the city is currently only home to about 38,000 people.
“We’re going to have to look at this sort of invisible cap that we put across the town to
increase the capacity in a way that is equitable, that creates more opportunity for
different types of housing to be built. We wouldn’t want all of this rezoning to help us
lead to more one-bedroom apartments, when we know that the future of the city is also
accommodating more families,” said Byers, noting that queer families also struggle to find
homes in West Hollywood.
Those housing targets also dovetail with the city’s long-standing ambition to have
Metro’s K-Line extended through West Hollywood, Byers says.
But even if West Hollywood meets its targets, it’ll only be a small drop in region that
studies estimate needs to build more than 600,000 units of affordable housing. Still,
Byers says West Hollywood can lead by example and get buy-in from the other cities in
LA County to help solve the affordability crisis together.
“I believe that our values can be extended to these other places and help move them
actually in big ways,” said Byers.
Those values necessarily include West Hollywood’s historic diversity and inclusivity of
its LGBTQ+ and immigrant communities, both of which are feeling ill at ease from the
federal government’s attacks.
“I think it goes above and beyond the fear-mongering and outright assaults that the
current federal administration’s lobbying at the LGBTQ community. It’s the real
dismantling of funding and structures that existed at the federal level to enable a lot of
the social service programming that our LGBTQ community members rely on,” said Byers. “That is the biggest thing that we feel right now when I’m asked as a city leader,
how are we impacted?”
The city is responding to this looming threat through its own funding process.
“We’re at the start of a three-year cycle that determines how, which organizations, we
invest our $7.8 million social service budget. To have these two moments happening at
the same time gives the city a tremendous opportunity to step up to whatever extent we
can,” she said, noting that programs for sexual health care, HIV programs, and aging
in place are particular priorities.
“Part of what I’m doing is creating funding that is accessible and available in more rapid
ways than our three-year cycle. Because once the three-year cycle has closed its door,
then that is it. One of those tools is a micro grant program that is specifically dedicated
towards Innovative or programming that that is needed,” Byers said.
Part of the response is also ensuring that West Hollywood remains a beacon for LGBTQ
people not just in Los Angeles, but across the country and around the world.
“You’ll see us as the city not back down from our investment in programs like Pride
which are world-class events,” she said. “For us, this is the thing that matters. And
we’re willing to make the additional investments in the public safety resources to make
sure that it’s going to be a safe event.
“I think a lot of our community members have always felt like they are a target already,
and it hasn’t stopped anyone from doing their thing. In fact, if all eyes are watching, then
we better give them a good show, has been our attitude.”
Earlier this month, city council voted to officially designate the Santa Monica strip
between La Cienega and Doheny as the Rainbow District, with a dedicated budget to
improve and promote the area as a destination. The area will soon see new street pole, banners, utility wraps, murals, and the West Hollywood Trolley bus will have service
extended to Thursday nights to help promote business along the strip.
Byers says the city is also looking at reducing red tape around how business spaces are
licensed to help revitalize the area.
“We’ve often said that West Hollywood is a model for how it gets done,” said Byers. “It’s
such a beautiful moment for us to sort of pivot our focus locally and remind ourselves
that cities are about quality of life, and making sure that we can be an inclusive city.”
Congress
EXCLUSIVE: Garcia demands answers on deportation of gay Venezuelan asylum seeker
Congressman’s correspondence was shared exclusively with the Blade

U.S. Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) is demanding answers from the Trump-Vance administration on its deportation of Andry Hernández Romero, a gay Venezuelan makeup artist who was sent to a prison in El Salvador in violation of a federal court order and in the absence of credible evidence supporting the government’s claims about his affiliation with a criminal gang.
Copies of letters the congressman issued on Thursday to Immigration and Customs Enforcement and CoreCivic, a private prison contractor, were shared exclusively with the Los Angeles Blade.
Garcia noted that Hernández, who sought asylum from persecution in Venezuela over his sexual orientation and political beliefs, had entered the U.S. legally, passed a preliminary screening, and had no criminal record.
Pro-bono lawyers representing Hernández during his detention in the U.S. pending an outcome in his asylum case were informed that their client had been removed to El Salvador a week after he failed to show for a hearing on March 13.
Hernández’s family now fears for his safety while he remains in El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), which has a well documented record of human rights abuses, Garcia said.
Additionally, the congressman wrote, while experts say Tren de Aragua does not use tattoos as identifiers, the “primary evidence” supporting Hernández’s deportation based on his supposed links to the transnational Venezuelan gang “appears to have been two crown tattoos labeled ‘Mom’ and ‘Dad,’ which are common cultural symbols in his hometown.”
The determination about his links to or membership in the organization was made by a CoreCivic employee whose criminal record and misconduct as a law enforcement officer led to his termination from the Milwaukee Police Department, Garcia wrote in his letter to the company.
Requesting a response by May 1, the congressman asked CoreCivic President Damon T. Hininger to address the following questions:
- What qualifications and training does CoreCivic require for employees tasked with making determinations about detainees’ affiliations?
- What protocols are in place to ensure that determinations of gang affiliation are based on credible and corroborated evidence?
- How does CoreCivic oversee and review the decisions made by its employees in such critical matters?
- What mechanisms exist to prevent and address potential misconduct?
- What is the nature of CoreCivic’s collaboration with ICE in making determinations that affect deportation decisions? Are there joint review processes?
- What background checks and ongoing assessments are conducted for employees involved in detainee evaluations, particularly those with prior law enforcement experience?
- What guidelines does CoreCivic follow regarding the use of tattoos as indicators of gang affiliation, and how does the company ensure that cultural or personal tattoos are not misinterpreted?
In his letter to Tae D. Johnson, acting director of ICE, Garcia requested answers to the following questions by May 1:
- Did ICE personnel independently review and approve the determination made by CoreCivic employee Charles Cross Jr. identifying Mr. Hernández Romero as a member of the Tren de Aragua gang?
- What evidence, beyond Mr. Hernández Romero’s tattoos, was used to substantiate the claim of gang affiliation?
- Under what legal authority are private contractors like CoreCivic permitted to make determinations that directly impact deportation decisions?
- What vetting processes and background checks are in place for contractors involved in such determinations? Are there oversight mechanisms to ensure their credibility and adherence to due process?
- What guidelines does ICE follow regarding the use of tattoos as indicators of gang affiliation, and how does the company ensure that cultural or personal tattoos are not misinterpreted?
Together with U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.), Garcia wrote to U.S. Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) on Tuesday requesting permission to bring a congressional delegation to CECOT for purposes of conducting a welfare check on detainees, expressing specific concern for Hernández’s wellbeing. The congressmen said they would “gladly include any Republican Members of the committee who wish to participate.”
Hernández’s case has drawn fierce criticism of the Trump-Vance administration along with calls for his return to the U.S.
Influential podcaster and Trump ally Joe Rogan spoke out in late March, calling the deportation “horrific” and “a horrible mistake.”
Last week, California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) sent a letter to Kristi Noem, secretary of the U.S. Homeland Security, which manages ICE, demanding Hernández’s immediate return and raising concerns with the right to due process amid the administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration.
Hernández “was denied the opportunity to defend himself against unsubstantiated allegations of gang involvement or to present his asylum claim,” the governor wrote. “We are not a nation that sends people to be tortured and victimized in a foreign prison for public relations victories.”
Immigrant Defenders Law Center President Lindsay Toczylowski, who is representing Hernández, has not been able to reach her client since his removal from the U.S., she told NBC News San Diego in a report published April 11.
“Under the Constitution, every single person has a right to due process, and that means they have a right to notification of any allegations the government is making against them and a right to go into court and prove that those allegations are wrong if that’s the case,” she said. “In Andry’s case, the government never gave us that opportunity. In fact, they didn’t even bring him to court, and they have forcefully sent him to El Salvador without ever giving us any notice or without telling us the way that we could appeal their decision.”
“CECOT, this prison where no one has ever left, where people are held incommunicado, is a very dangerous place for someone like Andry,” Toczylowski said.
In March, a DHS spokesperson posted on X that Hernández’s “own social media indicates he is a member of Tren de Aragua,” though they did not point to any specific posts and NBC reported that reviews of his known social media accounts turned up no evidence of gang activity.
During a visit to CECOT in March, Time Magazine photographer Philip Holsinger photographed Romero and reported that the detainee plead his innocence — “I’m not a gang member. I’m gay. I’m a stylist.” — crying for his mother as he was slapped and his head was shaved.
Brazil
US lists transgender Brazilian congresswoman’s gender as ‘male’ on visa
Erika Hilton has represented São Paulo since 2022

A transgender Brazilian congresswoman says the U.S. issued her a visa that listed her gender as “male.”
Erika Hilton on Wednesday wrote on her Instagram page that she requested a visa that would have allowed her to travel to the U.S. in order to participate in the Brazil Conference at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
The conference took place earlier this month.
“I was classified as ‘male’ by the U.S. government when I went to get my visa,” wrote Hilton, who added a visa she received from the U.S. in 2023 listed her gender as “female.”
Hilton is a Black travesti and former sex worker from São Paulo who won a seat in the Brazilian Congress in 2022. The Washington Blade spoke with Hilton shortly after her election.
“It is a big responsibility … but I feel very honored,” said Hilton. “I very much like to be able to be a representative for my people, and the more than 250,000 people who voted for me have confidence in me,” she said after she spoke at a rally in support of now Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in a São Paulo square. “This demonstrates that our work has the potential to have a gigantic reach; where we can advance efforts to end death, poverty, misery, genocide that we have.”
President Donald Trump in his inaugural speech announced the federal government’s “official policy” is “there are only two genders, male and female.” The Trump-Vance administration has also banned the State Department from issuing passports with “X” gender markers.
Germany and Denmark are among the countries that have issued travel advisories for trans and nonbinary people who plan to visit the U.S. These warnings come ahead of WorldPride, which is scheduled to take place in D.C. from May 17-June 8.
Hilton said she is “not surprised” the U.S. issued her a visa with a male gender marker.
“I’m also not surprised by the level of hatred and fixation these people have with trans people,” she said. “After all, the documents I presented are rectified, and I’m registered as a woman, even on my birth certificate.”
Hilton further accused the U.S. of “ignoring official documents from other sovereign nations, even from a diplomatic representative.”
“At the end of the day, I’m a Brazilian citizen, and my rights are guaranteed and my existence is respected by our own constitution, legislation, and jurisprudence,” she said.
Editor’s note: Duda Salabert, another transgender Brazilian congresswoman, also said the U.S. listed her gender as “male” on her American visa.
National
Discredited former cop played ‘key role’ in deportation of gay make-up artist
Former police officer claimed that Andry Hernandez Romero was a member of Venezuelan gang ‘Tren de Aragua’

A new investigation points to a discredited, former police officer who played a “key role” in the wrongful deportation of Andry Hernández Romero, a gay asylum seeker and make-up artist who was sent to a prison in El Salvador under Trump’s Alien Enemies Act.
USA Today found in a recent investigation that the former Milwaukee police officer who filed the report about Hernández Romero, citing his tattoos as the reason for the alleged gang affiliation, has a long history of credibility and disciplinary issues in his former police officer position.
The private prison employee who previously worked as a police officer until he was fired for driving into a house while intoxicated—among other alcohol-related incidents—“helped seal the fate,” of Hernández Romero.
The investigation by USA Today found that the former police officer accused Hernández Romero of being a part of the Tren de Aragua gang because of Romero’s two crown tattoos with the words “mom,” and “dad,” which are now being identified as Venezuelan gang-related symbols.
Since then, his story has made headlines across the nation because Hernández Romero not only has no criminal record, but is legally seeking asylum in the U.S. due to credible threats of violence against him in Venezuela because of LGBTQ persecution.
He was targeted shortly after Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, which is a proclamation for all law enforcement officials to “apprehend, restrain, secure and remove every Alien Enemy described in section 1 of [the] proclamation.”
Charles Cross Jr., the former police officer, signed the report that wrongfully identified Hernández Romero as a gang member. Cross was fired in 2012 after many incidents relating to his credibility and how it was affecting the credibility of the Milwaukee Police Department to testify in court.
He had already been under investigation previously for claiming overtime pay that he never earned. In 2007, he had faced criminal charges for damage to property, according to court records.
In March, The Washington Blade spoke with the Immigrant Defenders Law Center Litigation and Advocacy Director Alvaro M. Huerta regarding the case who stated that “officials with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection alleged his organization’s client was a member of Tren de Aragua, a Venezuela-based gang, because of his tattoos and no other information.”
Hernandez Romero came to the United States last year in search of asylum and now makes up one of 238 Venezuelan immigrants who were deported from the U.S. to El Salvador, Honduras and Venezuela. Many of those being deported are being sent to the Center for Terrorism Confinement, a maximum-security mega-prison in El Salvador, which has been accused of human rights violations.
According to the investigation, the Department of Homeland Security “wouldn’t offer further details on the case, or the process in general, but reiterated that the department uses more than just tattoos to determine gang allegiance.”
His story is now being looked at as a cautionary tale for the lack of due process the U.S. government is taking, as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) ramp up deportations across the nation.
Organizations like the Human Rights Campaign are now calling for Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem to cease wrongful deportations and return Hernández Romero home. The petition also urges the U.S. government to afford all Americans, including nationals and asylum seekers residing in the U.S., due process of law as required by the Constitution.
California
South Park provides green space to a predominantly Latino community
‘…the need for green spaces within Latino communities has never been greater, especially in South L.A.

South Park, one of the oldest parks in Historic South Central, has brought multi-generational Angelenos together for centuries.
The park sits at the intersection of 51st Street and Avalon Blvd, surrounded by some of the most socially, culturally and historically important locations in the country, including Central Avenue, site of the West Coast jazz scene in in the 30s and 40s, the former Black Panther Party headquarters in L.A and one of the epicenters of the Watts rebellion in 1965.
The park—also known as Barry White Park—was founded in 1899. Today, 126 years later, the park still stands—hosting weekend soccer games, señoras chismeando, recreational activities like swimming, card games among elders and city-led events.
The park was named after two-time Grammy Award winner and R&B singer Barry White, who grew up in South Central, just blocks away from the park.
As PBS initially reported, the City of Los Angeles purchased it from a private developer for $10,000. At that time it was not as big as it is now, but was always characterized by its tall palm trees.
The park is located in Los Angeles City Council District 9, where the population is predominantly Latino (79.9%). According to Park Equity, Life Expectancy and Power Building research, the need for green spaces within Latino communities has never been greater, especially in South L.A, where the landscape is often characterized by an overconcentration of liquor stores and a lack of quality and accessible recreational spaces. More than a century after the park’s opening, for many local residents, it is one of the only parks within walking distance for them.
Amanda Walker, 56, moved to L.A. from Chicago, Illinois. She said one of her favorite things to do at the park is to take in the sun.
“The sun falls perfectly anywhere through the park, that’s probably my favorite part,” Walker said.

Amanda Walker at the park before meeting up with her friends. (Photo by Brenda Verano)
Walker said she loves coming to the park with her friends, who often use the park as a gathering place.
“I do wish there were more activities for adults,” she said. “The park has a playground for kids, and basketball courts… we need more things in the park for people like me.”
Maria L., 30, said she also comes to the park to be surrounded by nature. Although she lives in South Central, she said she does not have much free time to come as often as she would like.
“I haven’t been here in about eight months,” she said. Although she was alone, she was on a video call with her family where she was able to show them the scenery of the park and said she was surprised at how green and vibrant it all looked.
“I like coming here to just sit and hang out,” she said. She enjoys the sense of community she feels when being in the park. “Some people are walking their dogs; others are exercising or simply just laying down. It’s nice. I also like seeing the birds and the squirrels,” she said.

From a distance, Maria L. sits in the sun on the park benches. (Photo by Brenda Verano)
The relationship between access to parks and life expectancy are closely linked. Park deserts can have disastrous effects on residents as well as wildlife, as stated by a study conducted by the Prevention Institute in partnership with University of California, Los Angeles , the National Health Foundation, Community Coalition, Esperanza Community Housing Corporation and the Social Justice Learning Institute.
According to the research, South Central L.A. is considered to have “high park need” and “very high park need” neighborhoods, with an average of 1.6 and 0.7 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents, in comparison to the L.A. countywide average, which is 3.3 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents. The median life expectancy in South L.A. is 77 years, well below the level for the county as a whole. About 15 miles away, in the community of Beverly Hills, the life expectancy is about 90 years, 13 years higher.
South Central residents have been asking for more investment in parks and recreational facilities. In 2018, the 18.25-acre park went through a multi-million renovation, which allocated funding for the improvement of its gym, swimming pool, basketball and tennis courts, baseball diamond, outdoor stage, fitness area, picnic tables and children’s play area.
Despite the recent investments, the park has also been widely known for its gang and chrome activity, which the community says has been a direct effect of years of disinvestment and neglect.
In previous years, the Los Angeles Police Department identified the park as an area where gang activity—specifically from the Avalon Gangster Crips, Broadway Gangster Crips and 52nd Street Playboys—has been observed.
“The problem was scanned and revealed that this park, like many others in urban America, had slowly been neglected and overrun by criminal activity that revolved around gangs, narcotics and quality of life issues,” states the LAPD. “The analysis of the problem at the park was conducted by reviewing data, meeting with officers and receiving input from local community representatives and park staff members.”
Despite this, the community recognized the park as a long-standing historical entity of South Central L.A.
As one of the oldest parks in the city, South L.A. Park continues to be home to local residents, wildlife, street vendors, youth and all the great things that make up Los Angeles.
EDITORS NOTE: This article was published through the Bezos Fellowship grant provided by the Ethnic Media Services, which recently changed its name to American Community Media. The article was written by Brenda Fernanda Verano, an award-winning journalist who reports for CALÓ News, a local non-profit newsroom focusing on the Latin American community of Los Angeles.
Myanmar
LGBTQ+ advocacy group joins Myanmar earthquake relief effort
March 28 quake killed thousands, devastated country’s second-largest city

A powerful earthquake that rocked Myanmar on March 28 unleashed devastation across the central part of the country.
The U.S. Geological Survey measured the quake at 7.7, and pinpointing its epicenter roughly 10 miles west of Mandalay, the country’s second-largest city. A 6.4-magnitude aftershock jolted the area 12 minutes later, compounding the destruction and deepening the crisis for a nation already strained by conflict.
The earthquake struck with terrifying intensity near its epicenter, wreaking havoc on Mandalay and the nearby city of Sagaing.
Mandalay, a bustling city of approximately 1.5 million residents, bore the brunt of the destruction. Among the most striking losses was the 12-story Sky Villa Condominium, which collapsed, leaving scores trapped beneath the wreckage. Rescue workers scrambled to pull survivors from the rubble, but the rising death toll underscored the tragedy’s magnitude.
In Sagaing, which is located closer to the epicenter, more than 70 percent of buildings sustained damage. The Ava Bridge, an essential artery spanning the Irrawaddy River, collapsed, cutting off a critical connection to Mandalay. The earthquake’s shallow depth of less than seven miles amplified its power, reducing homes, temples, and schools to rubble.
The earthquake’s death toll continues to climb, with at least 3,649 confirmed dead, more than 5,000 injured, and approximately 145 people missing. Amid the widespread devastation, questions loom about the impact on vulnerable populations. The Los Angeles Blade reached out to Colors Rainbow, an organization advocating for LGBTQ+ rights in Myanmar, to understand how the crisis has affected one of the nation’s most marginalized communities.
Colors Rainbow Executive Director Hla Myat Tun spoke about how his organization is working to address the crisis faced by Myanmar’s LGBTQ+ community in the aftermath of the earthquake.
Colors Rainbow has implemented a system of multipurpose cash transfers, directing funds to local LGBTQ+ partner organizations. These grassroots partners, in turn, provide essential support to affected individuals that includes emergency cash assistance, food, non-food items, clean water, and basic emotional support tailored to the immediate needs of their communities.
“We estimate that around 500–800 LGBTQ individuals have been impacted in the affected areas, particularly in Mandalay Region, Sagaing Region, and southern Shan state,” said Hla Myat Tun. “So far, we have been able to directly assist around 80–100 LGBTQ individuals.”
Hla Myat Tun told the Blade that Colors Rainbow is actively gathering data to assess the specific challenges that LGBTQ+ people are facing in the aftermath of the earthquake.
Preliminary observations, he noted, point to heightened vulnerability among LGBTQ+ people, driven by social exclusion and limited access to mainstream humanitarian aid. Hla Myat Tun, however, emphasized more comprehensive information is necessary to fully understand the scope of their needs and vulnerabilities in this crisis.
“We are partnering with international LGBTQ and feminist organizations that focus on displaced communities,” said Hla Myat Tun. “These partners provide emergency funds, and we coordinate with local LGBTQ groups to deliver aid directly to affected individuals on the ground.”
Addressing reports of military restrictions on humanitarian aid, Hla Myat Tun explained how Colors Rainbow is managing to reach LGBTQ+ people who are in conflict zones and areas the military junta controls. Hla Myat Tun highlighted the importance of the organization’s trusted local LGBTQ+ partners, who are embedded in these regions. Their presence and established networks, he said, are vital in navigating restricted areas and ensuring that aid reaches the LGBTQ+ people who are most in need.
Hla Myat Tun also provided insight into how Colors Rainbow is tailoring its relief efforts to meet the LGBTQ+ community’s specific needs.
He said his organization is gathering information directly from LGBTQ+ people through close coordination with its local partners, relying on both formal and informal communication channels. Hla Myat Tun told the Blade his team conducts daily check-ins via quick telephone calls, ensuring a continuous flow of information to guide their response efforts despite limited internet access, electricity and other challenges.
“Our approach is collaborative — we set strategies and share responsibilities to respond flexibly and safely, based on the rapidly changing local context,” he said. “Personal stories are being documented, but for security reasons, we are cautious about sharing them publicly.”
When asked whether staff or volunteers had harassment, discrimination, or violence while delivering aid — a concern given the precarious legal and social climate for LGBTQ+ people in Myanmar — Hla Myat Tun said there have been no reported incidents thus far.
“So far, we haven’t received any reports from our staff or local partners about harassment or violence while delivering aid,” he noted, emphasizing Colors Rainbow remains vigilant and has implemented robust safety protocols to protect all involved.
Colors Rainbow relies primarily on funding from international LGBTQ+-focused partners. He noted, however, humanitarian funding specifically dedicated to LGBTQ+ communities remains vastly under-resourced, relative to the pressing needs on the ground. Hla Myat Tun said this shortfall severely limits the scale and reach of Colors Rainbow’s efforts.
“While Myanmar’s legal framework remains outdated, societal attitudes — especially during the civilian government — have shown signs of progress,” said Hla Myat Tun. “We have seen positive change thanks to the work of local LGBTQ organizations.”
“In the current crisis, many communities are working together despite legal barriers. However, in areas without LGBTQ-led organizations, inclusive humanitarian responses are still lacking,” he added. “There’s an urgent need for international humanitarian actors to understand and implement LGBTQ-inclusive practices in Myanmar.”
When asked about long-term strategies to support the recovery and resilience of LGBTQ+ communities as Myanmar rebuilds, Hla Myat Tun affirmed Colors Rainbow is deeply committed to fostering resilience. The organization’s initiatives include leadership development, community empowerment through training and workshops, sub-granting programs, and organizational development support. He also highlighted Colors Rainbow’s advocacy for LGBTQ+-inclusive policies and collaboration with ethnic groups to promote an inclusive federal democracy, and specifically thanked Outright International, a global LGBTQ+ and intersex rights group, for “amplifying our work.
“This kind of international attention shines a spotlight on the challenges LGBTQ communities in Myanmar are facing and helps open doors for more support,” Hla Myat Tun told the Blade. “It also boosts visibility and solidarity, both locally and globally, which we deeply appreciate.”
Arts & Entertainment
LA Opera brings back Pride Night with a production of ‘Ainadamar’
Pride Night returns at the LA Opera

LA Opera is bringing back its Pride Night on Wednesday May 7, in partnership with the Opera League of Los Angeles.
LGBTQ members and allies will come together for Pride Night to indulge in a performance of “Ainadamar,” at the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion. The discounted tickets for Pride Night include access to a complimentary post-show party at Vespaio hosted by the Opera League of Los Angeles, featuring Cal-Italian bites from Chef Agostino Sciandri.
“Ainadamar” is a tribute to Spanish poet and queer icon, Federico García Lorca.
“This season, we celebrate with ‘Ainadamar,’ a powerful tribute to Spanish poet and queer icon Federico García Lorca. These pairings matter. They highlight that opera is a living, evolving art form—one that speaks to all people and reflects the diversity of the world we live in,” said Christopher Koelsch, president and CEO of LA Opera.
The central plot of “Ainadamar,” which is the Arabic meaning for ‘fountain of tears,’ follows Ana María Martínez as Margarita Xirgu, an actress who spent half of her career portraying Mariana Pineda, who was a 19th-century Spanish liberalist heroine, in Lorca’s play. Pineda was a political martyr who was executed for embroidering a flag with the slogan “Equality, Freedom and Law,” in protest of the absolutist Spanish regime.
The production, running at approximately one hour and 20 minutes, sets the stage with a throwback, recounting Lorca’s life and his last days in the Spanish Civil War.
“At the heart of our Pride Night celebration is the belief that everyone should feel seen onstage and off. Opera is a space for community and belonging, where our audiences can recognize themselves not only among fellow attendees, but also in our artists, our music and the stories we tell,” said Koelsch.
This major company premiere, led by resident conductor Lina Gonzáles-Granados, is sung in Spanish, with English and Spanish subtitles. Grammy-winning composer Osvaldo Golijov produces the dramatic, flamenco-inspired score that meets the poignant libretto by David Henry Hwang.
During the COVID-19 shutdowns, live performances at the LA Opera were put on hold and the journey to bring back Pride Night, among many other in-person performances, was a struggle filled with many moving parts.
“COVID-19 suspended live performances across the board and during our return season we were navigating the different timelines for audiences returning to live theater. It was very much a matter of listening to our community and learning what had changed for them as well as us: some opted for livestream options, others preferred only outdoor events, and so on,” said Koelsch. “Once we found our stride, we were excited to bring back Pride Night the following season during ‘The Marriage of Figaro.’”
This year the LA Opera is celebrating their 40th anniversary by launching their 40th Anniversary Campaign to raise resources needed to continue funding their organization.The show opens on Saturday, April 26 and runs through May 18. Purchase tickets by clicking here.
Argentina
Argentina’s transgender community confronts ‘chaotic, desperate’ situation
President Javier Milei has implemented several anti-trans directives

Editor’s note: Washington Blade International News Editor Michael K. Lavers will be on assignment in Argentina through April 12.
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — A group of Argentine transgender activists with whom the Blade spoke on April 4 said President Javier Milei’s policies have made their community even more vulnerable to violence, discrimination, and poverty.
“The situation is really chaotic, desperate,” said Florencia Guimares García, a travesti activist who is president of the House of Lohana and Diana Civil Association. “There is also a lot of fear among the trans and travestí community towards the government’s policies.”
Guimares’s group is named after Diana Sacayán, a prominent trans activist who was stabbed to death inside her Buenos Aires apartment in 2015, and Lohana Berkins, the founder of the Association for the Fight for Travesti and Transsexual Identity who died in 2016.
Guimares and three other trans activists — Julia Amore, Sasha Solano, and Daniela Ruiz — spoke with the Blade after they participated in a trans and travestí rights forum that took place at an LGBTQ cultural center in downtown Buenos Aires. Alba Rueda, the country’s former special envoy for LGBTQ rights, also took part.
“We are in a bad moment for the rights and quality of life of LGBTQ+ people,” Rueda told the Blade during a February 2024 interview.

Milei took office on Dec. 10, 2023, after he defeated then-Economy Minister Sergio Massa in the second round of that year’s Argentina’s presidential election. Rueda resigned before Milei assumed the presidency.
Milei, an economist and former congressman, shortly after he took office eliminated the country’s Women, Gender and Diversity Ministry.
Milei last year closed the National Institute Against Discrimination, Xenophobia and Racism, a government agency known by the acronym INADI that provided support and resources to people who suffered discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and other factors. Milei in 2024 also dismissed trans people who the government hired under the Trans Labor Quota Law, which set aside at least 1 percent of public sector jobs for trans people.
Argentina’s landmark Gender Identity Law that, among other things, allows trans and nonbinary people to legally change their gender without medical intervention, took effect in 2012 when Cristina Fernández de Kirchner was president. Milei on Feb. 5 issued a decree that restricts minors’ access to gender-affirming surgeries and hormone treatments.
Gay Congressman Esteban Paulón, a long-time LGBTQ activist, filed a criminal complaint against Milei after he linked the LGBTQ community to pedophilia and made other homophobic and transphobic comments during a Jan. 23 speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Millions of people in Buenos Aires and across Argentina participated in marches against Milei that took place less than two weeks later.

Milei is among the heads of state who attended President Donald Trump’s inauguration. Milei also spoke at this year’s Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbor, Md.
“Violence is more explicit, more common,” Guimares told the Blade, noting police violence has become more common against sex workers who are trans or travestí since Milei took office. Guimares added this situation is worse outside of Buenos Aires.
“The situation is different, depending on the location, and even more so in other provinces,” she said. “Even living in the province of Buenos Aires isn’t the same as living in Salta, or in Jujuy, or in Corrientes, or in provinces where the population is more conservative, where the discourse from the churches is much stronger, where all of this has a much crueler impact.”
“Milei’s discourse has legitimatized all of this,” added Guimares.
Amore said Argentina before Milei “had been a beacon” for human rights around the world.
“We’ve been building these laws with a lot of struggle, a lot of effort, with allies, and it wasn’t enough because we didn’t reach our goal,” she said. “These are very young. Our democracy is very young; we have a 40-year-old democracy and we are talking about a Gender Identity Law that is 12-years-old.
Amore added Milei is trying to erase trans and travestí people. Ruiz, an activist and actress who founded Siete Colores Diversidad, agreed.
“It is a cultural battle for us,” Ruiz told the Blade, referring for the continued struggle for trans and travestí rights in Argentina.
“It marks a cultural paradigm shift that we were carrying out day after day, making ourselves visible,” she added. “We carried it out by making ourselves politically visible, by presenting our travestí and trans Latin American visibility as a beacon to the world.”
The activists spoke with the Blade less than three months after Trump took office.
The American president, like Milei, has targeted the trans community with executive orders and policy directives. These include banning the State Department from issuing passports with “X” gender markers and prohibiting trans adults and young people from sports teams that correspond with their gender identity.
Solana, a trans woman from Peru who advocates on behalf of migrants, noted one of the first executive orders that Trump signed directed the federal government to only recognize two genders: Male and female.
“Man and woman. Period,” she said.
Guimares added Milei’s anti-LGBTQ discourse isn’t even his “original speech, but rather a line drawn from the U.S. government of Donald Trump and its agenda, which he established from the beginning and which he campaigned on as well.”
“This also follows in line with parties like Vox in Spain and other European countries, where we see how in Hungary, where an LGBTI Pride march (in Budapest) is now banned, and in other countries around the world where the population is having a really hard time,” said Guimares. “So, it’s not something original from Milei, but rather he’s taking part in those political agendas to generate strategies and alliances to be able to access economic resources.”
Amore, for her part, urged her American counterparts to continue the fight.
“Don’t let down your guard,” said Amore. “Organize. Come together. Speak out. Become visible in community. Respect the diversity of voices and put your own voices first and make yourselves more visible.”
a&e features
Meet the chef who built his legacy in the LGBTQ+ community
He is an icon in the Hollywood culinary scene and a fierce ally in the LGBTQ community

Editor’s note: The interview with Chef Juan featured in this article was done in Spanish and translated accordingly for this article, but kept in its original format.
Juan Raigosa Chavez is the living embodiment of the American dream that many can only hope for. During his 40-year culinary journey, he was able to become a legal citizen and has enjoyed the privileges of living and working in Los Angeles for four decades.
Chef Juan migrated here from Zacatecas, Mexico in 1985 and since then he has worked his way up to his current position as one of West Hollywood’s most beloved chefs in the LGBTQ+ bar scene.
He started his journey as a dishwasher and through his hard work, dedication to achieving the American dream and meticulous work ethic, he was able to climb the ranks in the kitchen team hierarchy.
“Primero empecé lavando platos en 1985 en Marix Tex Mex [Café] en Hollywood. Y después me hice preparador, después me hice cocinero. Y luego me hicieron kitchen manager, primero de Marix y luego de Basix Café haciendo creatividad de menús, variedad de comida, y más,” nos dice Chef Juan. “Me mandaron a las mejores escuelas culinarias de San Francisco pagados por la dueña de Basix.”
“First, I started washing dishes in 1985 at Marix Tex Mex [Café] in Hollywood. Then, I was promoted to food prep, then kitchen cook. Finally, I became kitchen manager—first at Marix and then an Basix Café—creating menus and a variety of dishes,” said Chef Juan. “[The restaurant owners] sent me to the best culinary schools in San Francisco, all paid for by the owners.”
Chef Juan was living the American dream and had worked very hard to get to the position he was in when Covid-19 hit and many restaurants, including both Marix and Basix were forced to close. As of earlier this year, it seems like Marix Tex Mex Café is apparently set to re-open at the same location, while the location Basix was in, is still up for lease.
WeHo times first reported that workers have been adding finishing touches to the exterior of the building, but the significant delay in re-opening is due to extensive water damage that happened while the location was closed.
“Mucha gente lloró, porque teníamos más de cuarenta personas a mi cargo allí,” recalls Chef Juan.
“A lot of people cried because there were over forty people who worked under my leadership during that time,” said Chef Juan.
He was laid-off for two years and then when he stopped receiving federal assistance, he uploaded his resume online and the previous owners of GymBar WeHo, immediately called him up to hire him as their chef.
During his time at Marix and Basix, he says he gained a lot of valuable experience and gained a deep respect for the rich and diverse community of Hollywood.
Within three days of uploading his resume, he was hired.
“No duraron ni tres días cuando ya estaba contratado por que, como te dire–me hice un poco famoso,” Chef Juan tells the Los Angeles Blade. “Muchos de la ‘community’ me reconocen.”
“Not even three days passed until I was fully hired, because how do I say this? I guess I got a little bit famous,” Chef Juan tells the Los Angeles Blade. “A lot of people in the community recognize me.”
At that moment, a patron from the restaurant kindly interrupted the interview to say goodbye to Chef Juan and thank him for the food.
“Si ves, siempre me saludan porque me conocen y saben quién soy,” nos dice Chef Juan.
“See? People always say hello to me because they recognize me and know who I am,” Chef Juan tells us.
He also tells us that many people who know that he started working at GymBar have asked him to recreate some of his famous dishes from when he worked at Marix and Basix.
Chef Juan says his favorite part about working in a kitchen is his ability and freedom to create new dishes and elevate recipes that have always been staple dishes in his life and culture.
Due to his heartwarming attitude, friendly face and incomparable work ethic, he is now a sought-after chef and iconic member of the Hollywood community.
“Bastante gente me ha buscado desde que empecé aquí,” said Chef Juan.
“Plenty of people have looked for me here since I started,” said Chef Juan.
When asked how he wins over new customers, he said he likes to start off by asking customers what their favorite dishes are and then he builds on that until he’s able to find something that they are excited to try.
He spoke passionately about how much he loves to win over new customers and continue to impress his loyal customers. He says that to avoid mistakes, he likes to personally train each person who works under him, saying this is how he ensures the quality of the food is consistently to his standards.
“Es hacer las cosas con amor—porque cuando estás enojado no te va a salir bien—la comida te sale perfecta,” said Chef Juan.
“It’s about doing everything with love so it comes out perfect, because when you’re angry, nothing will taste right,” said Chef Juan.
It goes without saying that he is an icon and when we asked him how he felt about his entire career and legacy being built around the LGBTQ+ community of West Hollywood as a Latin American person, his answer was heartwarming.
“I love my people of West Hollywood, my neighborhood and for me it’s all normal,” said Chef Juan in both English and Spanish. “For many people, I understand it’s scary, but I understand [them] and I love my people no matter what they do.”
Chef Juan continues his legacy as he celebrates his 40th year, now working at WeHo’s GymBar, which is run by one of the Dodgers executive’s, along with his husband. As an avid Dodger fan, Chef Juan has also had the opportunity to participate in cooking demonstrations led by chefs at Dodger Stadium. GymBar WeHo is actually one of the only other locations in LA—other than Dodger Stadium that sells the authentic Dodger Dog.
Now that baseball season is underway, Chef Juan invites everyone in the nearby communities to join them for a game and a Dodger Dog.
Local
New chapter: P3 Theatre Company moves to Los Angeles
P3 Theatre Company, a long-standing staple in Long Beach’s theatre scene, has officially relocated to Los Angeles.

P3 Theatre Company, a long-standing staple in Long Beach’s theatre scene, has officially relocated to Los Angeles. While the company remains close to its Long Beach roots, this move signals a fresh chapter and opportunity to connect to a broader audience.
Jon Peterson, Executive Director and Founder of P3 Theatre Company, discusses the transition.
“After the pandemic lifted, the venue we were renting in Long Beach was no longer available to us,” explained Peterson. “After some time, we decided to look in the Greater Los Angeles area. There are so many great venues available, and there’s definitely a huge demand for the arts.”
P3 Theatre’s first major production in Los Angeles will be “Day After Day” (The Life and Music of Doris Day), a sentimental and nostalgic celebration of the legendary singer and actress. The choice to revive this show was intentional — it was P3’s last production before the Covid-19 shutdown.
“‘Day After Day ‘ was a very successful production,” said Peterson, noting that it earned Deborah Robin the Best Performer in a Musical title at the Orange County Theatre Guild Awards. “It’s such an endearing show with tons of recognizable music and the dynamic story of Doris Day.”
While dazzling performances are integral to P3’s mission, the company is equally committed to community outreach. Peterson emphasized that the move to the West Hollywood and Hollywood areas, offer opportunities to collaborate with other nonprofits and expand access to the arts for marginalized groups.
“There is a huge demand for the arts in this region,” said Peterson. “We look forward to bringing shows that audiences are excited to see, as well as introducing new works that will enhance their theatrical experience.”
One of P3’s signature initiatives is P3 Educates+, a program designed to provide performing arts workshops to underserved communities. Catering to all ages – which Peterson describes as 0-100+ – the workshops include improvisation, acting, and singing.
“It provides more than just an education of theatre,” Peterson explained. “[It provides] a level of entertainment that marginalized communities may not have an opportunity to experience otherwise.”
Supporting LGBTQ+ stories and artists is also a core priority for P3 Theatre Company. Peterson highlighted the company’s commitment to producing both new LGBTQ+ works and celebrated classics.
“Our stories need to be told and heard,” Peterson emphasized. “What better way to do so than through the arts?”
Among P3’s proudest achievements are the world premieres of two acclaimed works by playwright Jiggs Burgess. The Red Suitcase won the prestigious Del Shores Playwright Competition, while Wounded earned multiple awards at the Hollywood Fringe Festival in 2023. The latter’s success secured an off-Broadway run at Soho Playhouse in New York City, with performances continuing in 2024 and 2025.
P3 Theatre Company has ambitious long-term goals for its future in Los Angeles. Peterson hopes to build a strong audience and donor base while eventually securing a permanent performance space.
“P3 Theatre Company’s long term goal is to grow a solid audience and donor base in Los Angeles – and to find ‘the perfect theatre’ to hang our hat in.” Peterson said. “It is our plan to call Los Angeles our home and to continue to produce professional theatre in a community where theatre is thriving.”
For those eager to experience P3’s return to the stage, tickets for Day After Day (The Life and Music of Doris Day) are now available. As Peterson says with confidence, “We know the audiences will love it!”

For more information about P3, head to www.p3theatre.biz
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