Miscellaneous
Newson delivers State of the State speech- acknowledges ‘you’re exhausted by all of it’
The state of our state remains determined
LOS ANGELES – California Governor Gavin Newsom delivered his third State of the State Address Tuesday evening from an empty Dodger Stadium, the location of one of the Los Angeles region’s mega-vaccination site in the ongoing efforts to defeat the coronavirus.
With a recall looming and his own political future in doubt, Newsom tried to persuade over 40 million Californians to “dream of brighter days ahead.” The governor noted that “people are alive today because of the public health decisions we made — lives saved because of your sacrifice,” adding “Even so, I acknowledge that it’s made life hard, it’s made life unpredictable, and you’re exhausted by all of it.”
Although Newsom was the first governor in the nation to order a shut down, the state still suffered through horrific loss of lives and at the end of 2020 California was the epicenter for the virus.
The Associated Press noted; “The strict rules limiting which businesses could open led to the state losing 1.6 million jobs last year. The resulting crush of claims for unemployment benefits overwhelmed Newsom’s administration, contributing to more than $11 billion in fraud, including an estimated $810 million in benefits paid in the names of prison inmates.
That scandal is referenced often by Newsom’s critics but the most damaging blow to him during the pandemic came when he attended a private dinner with lobbyists at a fancy restaurant and was photographed without a mask. The gathering didn’t technically violate the state’s rules at the time but was contrary to his constant message for state residents to stay home and wear face coverings around others.
Newsom apologized after the outing was reported in the media. He made no direct reference to the incident Tuesday but acknowledged: “I have made mistakes. But we own them, learn from them, and we never stop trying”
Newsom’s focus in the speech was not geared towards new policy and legislative goals but rather stressing the continuing work to get Californians vaccinated. The governor did warn Republicans and others working towards removing him from office by the voters in a ballot initiative this coming November he wasn’t deterred and that “the state of our state remains determined” and “I remain determined.”
Newsom delivered an optimistic appraisal of the actions taken by his administration as he pledged to “make sure every Californian who needs a vaccine can get one,” while prioritizing those at the greatest risk for exposure.
“We don’t just talk about vaccine equity — we’ve designed our entire system around it,” Newsom said, referencing his decision last week to set aside 40% of all vaccine doses for 400 ZIP codes with high populations of minorities and poor people, groups disproportionately harmed by the virus.
“We place faith over fear, optimism over pessimism,” Newsom said. “This is our moment to create the California we all want to live in.”
Watch:
Full Text of the Governor’s address:
Governor Gavin Newsom
2021 State of the State Address, March 9, 2021
Thank you, Madame Lt. Governor, for your kind introduction.
And good evening to those joining us virtually tonight – Speaker Rendon, Pro Tem Atkins, members of the California Legislature, and to all of the elected, and state officials.
And to my amazing wife Jennifer, the First Partner of California.
Thank you all for being here in the most 2021 way possible, remotely.
Tonight, we mark an unprecedented moment in California history.
To reflect on where we’ve been this past year, let’s consider where we are.
I’m speaking to you from Dodger Stadium, transformed from the home of last year’s World Series champions into a centerpiece of America’s mass vaccination campaign.
Instead of fans in stands, we see nurses in PPE, saving lives one injection at a time.
All because, one year ago a once-in-a-century pandemic arrived on our shores.
COVID was no one’s fault – but it quickly became everyone’s burden.
Forcing hard-working Californians into impossible choices – go to work and risk infection, or stay home and lose your job.
It magnified daily worries about feeding your kids, paying rent, and keeping loved ones safe.
It made the unthinkable, commonplace.
COVID patients cared for by doctors, nurses, and paramedics who, despite the chaos and risks to themselves, paused to hold the hands of strangers in their final moments.
Too many forever goodbyes over FaceTime.
54,395 Californians we now mourn with broken hearts.
That’s almost the same number of empty seats behind me, marking a silent tribute to loved ones who live forever in our memories.
54,395 Californians who will never be forgotten by family and friends – nor by the health care workers who bore witness to unimaginable tragedy.
But not every COVID hero wears scrubs.
From the grocery workers to custodians who get a fraction of the gratitude they deserve, to the parents who’ve juggled and struggled – moms especially – but kept charging ahead.
Your quiet bravery has created light in the darkest of times.
As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Only when it’s dark enough, can you see the stars.”
So tonight, under the lights of this stadium – even as we grieve – let’s allow ourselves to dream of brighter days ahead.
Because we won’t be defined by this moment – we’ll be defined by what we do because of it.
After all, we are California.
We don’t wait for someone else to show us the way forward. We go first, and we go boldly.
We led – on gay rights, gun safety, and criminal justice reform.
And now, we lead on combating COVID.
From the earliest days of the pandemic, California trusted in science and data.
We met the moment.
Last January, we welcomed Americans home, accepting repatriation flights from China.
And one year ago today, we brought to shore the Grand Princess, which was stranded off the coast of California, further opening our eyes to the seriousness of this disease.
We were the first state to issue a stay-at-home order, which helped us avoid early spikes in cases.
The top minds from our nation’s leading research institutions and life science companies immediately jumped into the development of groundbreaking COVID treatments and vaccines.
While others competed to buy personal protective equipment at exorbitant prices—we quickly built our own pipeline, supplying critical gear to millions of essential workers.
We sent ventilators and doctors to New York as well as other states that desperately needed them.
We developed the most comprehensive COVID testing program in the country—including a first-in-the-nation state-run testing lab.
We enlisted additional health care workers to expand capacity. We readied our ICUs.
Our advance planning and curve flattening meant our hospitals were ready for surges.
All of which is why California’s death rate has remained one of the lowest per capita in the nation: 134 deaths per 100,000, compared to 158 nationally, 153 in Texas and 247 in New York.
Now, finally, vaccines are here.
We were the first to launch mass-vaccination sites in partnership with FEMA, now a model for other states.
Today, we have the most robust vaccination program in America. California now ranks sixth in the world for vaccine distribution, ahead of countries like Israel, Russia, Germany and France.
I know our progress hasn’t always felt fast enough.
And look, we’ve made mistakes. I’ve made mistakes. But we own them, learn from them, and never stop trying.
After all, that’s the California spirit.
We are bent but not broken. Bloodied but unbowed. Resolved to make it to brighter days ahead – to not let the pain of last year deter the hopefulness of tomorrow.
The state of our state remains determined. I remain determined!
We won’t change course just because of a few nay-sayers and dooms-dayers.
So to the California critics, who are promoting partisan power grabs and outdated prejudices, and rejecting everything that makes California great, we say this: we will not be distracted from getting shots in arms and our economy booming again.
This is a fight for California’s future.
Since this pandemic started, uncertainty has been the only thing we could be certain of.
But now, we are providing certainty.
Certainty that we are safely vaccinating Californians as quickly as possible.
Certainty that we are safely reopening our economy.
Certainty that we are safely getting our kids back in classrooms.
All of which adds up to a brighter future for our state.
Because California won’t come crawling back. We will roar back.
When this pandemic ends – and it will end soon – we’re not going back to normal. Normal was never good enough. Normal accepts inequity.
It’s why Latinos are dying from COVID at a higher rate than any other racial or ethnic group, why essential workers’ wages aren’t enough for them to afford the essentials, and why mothers have been leaving the workforce in staggering numbers.
Look, our eyes are wide open to what’s wrong.
So, our journey back must also be a path to close inequities. There is no economic recovery without economic justice.
With more compassion, empathy, and connection, we can write the next chapter in the California story.
After all, the answer to “what’s right” about our state is also readily available to us, so long as we stay focused on what makes California so damn special.
Throughout this pandemic, we’ve been forced to find new ways to connect, to collaborate, to serve. New ways to grow, and new ways to innovate. And of course we have.
We have more scientists, engineers, researchers, and Nobel laureates than any other state. To keep this conveyor belt for talent moving, we will keep investing in UC, CSU, and community colleges.
California has the most innovation, venture capital, and small-business investment in this country. We will keep fostering every small entrepreneur—the drivers of our GDP.
Our agricultural industry feeds the nation, and California’s entertainment industry shapes global culture.
We build the future the rest of the world dreams of. And I mean that literally.
This year, we will invest $10 billion in the nuts and bolts of California – infrastructure like roads, rail, bridges and public transit – the biggest infrastructure package since the great recession over a decade ago.
Building toward universal broadband, connecting all Californians equitably and affordably.
And investing in the most important asset we have, our children – we propose to invest a record amount in K-14 education this year.
Because, by planning ahead and through prudent fiscal management, California benefits from surpluses – not deficits. Record reserves, not cuts.
We started the year with a $15 billion surplus, and since then revenues have been even stronger, allowing us to provide a down payment on building our brighter future.
The building blocks of our recovery are in place. And now we are leading the way out of this pandemic.
Because we listened to the experts—and were guided by evidence.
Today, the light at the end of the tunnel is brighter than ever.
From the peak in early January, we’ve gone from reporting 53,000 COVID cases per day to 2,600. The positivity rate is down from 14 percent to just 2.1 percent today. Hospitalizations are down more than 80 percent since their peak. ICUs are down 77 percent.
And tonight, I’m proud to report that California has administered nearly 11 million doses. That’s three million more than any other state.
So now, we look ahead to better days with the California can-do spirit – with the energy and optimism that defines us – we will beat this virus and realize our dream of a California for All.
How? Equitable and plentiful vaccines, economic support for those who’ve struggled the most, and getting kids safely back into schools as soon as possible.
First, we will make sure every Californian who needs a vaccine can get one. In our state, your access to the vaccine must not depend on who you know.
We prioritize those who are at the greatest risk and with greatest exposure to the virus. We don’t just talk about vaccine equity—we designed our entire system around it.
Setting aside 40 percent of vaccines for the most impacted communities.
Vaccine equity is not just the right thing to do, it is also the fastest way through the pandemic.
Grocery workers prioritized. School staff prioritized. And farmworkers, put to the front of the line.
Like 85-year-old Maria in Reedley, who came to this country from Mexico decades ago to find a job in our fields.
Maria said she was unsure – uncertain – about getting vaccinated, but after she received her shots, she’s now educating other farmworkers about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine, helping them overcome similar anxieties.
That’s the beauty of California. Leadership like Maria’s isn’t ordained, it’s earned.
We’ve built a vaccine system where our only constraint now is manufactured supply.
Thanks to the Biden administration, those doses are on their way.
I’ve traveled the state and seen first-hand the strength of communities banding together in Coachella, Arvin, Camarillo, and Stockton, stepping up to vaccinate the most vulnerable and the too often overlooked.
Every Californian will have convenient access to shots – including those who are home-bound and those who don’t have transportation or the internet.
Now with greater supply, emerges a challenge as old as vaccines themselves: hesitancy about whether to get it. Just ask Maria.
To address these concerns, we have a large network of trusted community partners. They are helping us spread the word, in many languages and across many cultures.
Vaccines are safe. Vaccines are effective. Vaccines will save your life.
Allowing you to visit your parents again. Go to your daughter’s basketball game. Show up for your shift without fearing infection.
It was a year ago, we made the incredibly difficult decision to issue a stay home order to slow the spread. We agonized about the sacrifices it would require.
But we made sure that science – not politics – drove our decisions.
And as experts like Dr. Fauci said, it was the right thing to do.
People are alive today because of the public health decisions we made – lives saved because of your sacrifice. Even so, I acknowledge it’s made life hard and unpredictable, and you’re exhausted with all of it.
For the millions of Californians pushed out of the workforce and essential workers with no choice but to keep showing up – this is who we fight for.
We continue to work to safely reopen our economy – guided by equity principles, accounting for vaccines, moving as fast as we can. But we are mindful that we can’t let down our guard, particularly with so many new variants.
As of today, 24 of our 58 counties are out of the most restrictive tier, and many more are poised to move next week.
As we safely re-open, we are also providing financial relief. A few weeks ago, we took action to bring immediate stimulus to millions of Californians.
We just directed $7.6 billion back to hard-working Californians and small businesses hit hardest by COVID. We didn’t wait for Washington, we acted with urgency.
That included the Golden State Stimulus, which will put $600 directly into the pockets of millions of families, no matter their immigration status.
And it included supporting our essential workers, with new child care subsidies, more funding for food banks and diapers, and financial assistance for farmworkers.
We’ll keep the dream alive, not only for families but for all the small businesses who’ve fought to survive over the past year.
The special mix of audacity, human capital, and creativity found only in California means there’s literally no better place to do business.
California is where garages are the launch pads for world-changing industries and anyone with the telltale tenacity of a small business owner can create their own California Dream. But only if we nurture them.
That’s why we’re providing the largest small business grant fund in the nation. $2.6 billion in grants of up to $25,000 for small businesses and nonprofits impacted by the pandemic.
Behind these grants are countless stories of entrepreneurs and the dreams they’ve pursued with every ounce of energy they have.
Like Francisco in Fresno, who received $5,000 to reopen his pastry business after being closed for nearly six months.
And Catarah, right here in Los Angeles, whose dessert cafe used a $15,000 grant to make payroll.
And 40,000 other businesses and counting, barbershops, auto repair shops, and clothing shops throughout the state.
Three-quarters of these grants have gone to minority-, women-, and veteran-owned businesses, and those serving rural and low-income communities. We’re not just talking about equity, we are building it into the very fabric of all of our programs.
There’s nothing more foundational to an equitable society than getting our kids safely back into classrooms. Remote learning has exacerbated the gaps we have worked so hard to close.
Our kids are missing too many rites of passage: field trips, proms, graduation.
Teachers pulling triple duty as counselors, curriculum developers, and tech specialists.
Parents desperate for that reopening date.
Look, Jen and I live this as parents of four young children. Helping them cope with the fatigue of “Zoom school.” The loneliness of missing their friends. Frustrated by emotions they don’t yet fully understand.
In December, as COVID surged, many schools were contemplating an alarming decision – giving up on in-person instruction for the rest of the school year.
In the few short months since – working together with parents, teachers, and school leaders – we have turned the conversation from whether to reopen, to when.
Every day, more schools announce reopening dates. In fact, almost 7,000 schools are open or plan to reopen by mid-April for in-person instruction.
But California has 11,000 schools in 1,000 districts spread across 58 counties – all locally controlled. And we won’t be satisfied until everybody is back in school.
To achieve this, we’ve delivered three months’ worth of PPE to every school. We’ve directly enabled schools to provide routine COVID testing, especially for low-income students.
And starting last week, California promised that at least 10 percent of our vaccine allocation will go to teachers and school staff directly. In the first week alone, we have already administered more than 210,000 doses to educators, a pace more than double our goal.
And last week, we committed $6.6 billion for learning loss, tutoring, mental health, and the ability to extend school days and the flexibility to extend the school year.
We can do this. The science is sound. We start with early grades and build up from there.
Getting kids back to school, getting shots in arms, and getting the economy back on its feet. These are urgent priorities, but not the totality of our efforts.
We entered this pandemic with a care economy suffering from decades of underinvestment. A societal scourge that the First Partner has shined a light on: working women – particularly women of color – earning only a fraction of their male counterparts. Widening gaps between haves and have-nots.
California’s most acute preexisting condition remains income inequality.
So as we respond to this pandemic, we stay fixated on closing unacceptable disparities. That’s one of the fundamental reasons I ran for governor.
By any measure, we’ve made great strides.
Rewarding working families by nearly tripling the earned income tax credit and increasing child care subsidies, adding two more weeks of paid family leave, and raising the minimum wage to $14, on its way to $15 an hour.
Providing first-ever health care subsidies for middle-class Californians so they can afford coverage. Increasing student financial aid and public assistance. Making community college free for two years.
Creating opportunity for all.
But I’m mindful that we aren’t truly addressing the needs of people in poverty unless we account for the biggest pressure most families face: housing and housing stability.
So we crafted the strongest eviction controls in the nation, protecting millions of renters from losing their homes in the midst of this pandemic. And we provided a framework for billions of dollars in rental support for struggling landlords.
All while remaining laser focused on the most severe part of the housing crisis: homelessness, a crisis pre-dating the pandemic.
In response, we developed brand-new solutions – including two programs, promoted by the Biden administration as a model for 49 other states.
Project Roomkey, launched in April, has provided over 35,000 homeless Californians with safe shelter from COVID.
And Homekey, launched in July, created more than 6,000 new permanent housing units during the pandemic, buying hotels and motels and converting them at a third of the cost of traditional supportive housing.
We did this cheaper and faster than homeless housing has ever been built in California history, literally rewriting the book on how to tackle homelessness.
And while we acted swiftly during this pandemic, we are mindful that these tent cities on our sidewalks and the encampments along our freeways simply remain unacceptable.
Our challenge moving forward is clear: to continue our immediate progress while focusing on our longer-term goals, which I laid out in last year’s State of the State.
Now, bringing the same spirit of innovation behind Project Roomkey and Homekey, we’re committing nearly $2 billion this year to create more homeless housing, addressing mental health and substance abuse issues, and ending homelessness one person at a time.
No one denies this is a huge challenge, but we know what it means to stare down big challenges.
In 2020, we simultaneously faced two once-in-a-generation crises when we combatted the worst wildfire season in our state’s history in the middle of the pandemic.
The fact is, the hots are getting hotter, the dries are getting drier, and not just here in California, but all across the globe.
Let’s call it what it is: climate change. Just as we approached COVID, we are guided by science.
Just consider last summer’s heat dome on the West Coast of the United States, which led to world-record breaking temperatures here at home.
And in just one 24-hour period last August, 12,000 lightning strikes sparked 560 wildfires, requiring heroic efforts by our firefighters and national guard, who landed helicopters into flames to save fellow Californians.
This year, we are budgeting more than $1 billion for fire prevention, including fuel breaks, forest health, and home hardening.
We forged a historic partnership with the U.S. Forest Service to radically ramp up forest management efforts.
We are reducing barriers on hundreds of fuel reduction projects and prescribed burns. We added 30 new fire crews and pre-positioning assets, new C-130s, Blackhawk helicopters, and radar technology.
But historic wildfires are the symptom. Greenhouse gases are the cause. And to address them, we must confront the source of more than half the emissions in our state: transportation.
I was proud to sign a groundbreaking executive order last year requiring all new cars and passenger trucks sold in California to be zero-emission by 2035.
And the car companies – Ford, GM, and Volvo – seized the opportunity to innovate, create jobs, and dominate the industry of the future. Proving yet again that protecting our planet and growing our economy aren’t conflicting goals – they’re one in the same.
There’s no doubt California is the pace setter of environmental policy, yet we are mindful of our responsibility to do even more. That restless spirit defines California.
We know there’s no advancement without effort, no success without sacrifice.
To paraphrase St. Francis, the patron saint of my hometown, now is the time to tell the world about our brighter future, and only if necessary, will we use words.
We know that our strength comes not from what we preach, but from what we do. From our people who get their hands dirty every day, who come home tired, and do it all to give their kids a better life.
When we set our minds to it, Californians can reach the stars.
Just a few weeks ago, a NASA rover appropriately named Perseverance landed safely on Mars, 293 million miles away. It was a breakthrough achievement made possible by the engineers and scientists at our very own Jet Propulsion Lab in Pasadena.
Led in part by the vision and drive of a Lebanese immigrant who was educated in California schools and rose to become the head of JPL.
By the risk-taking that’s in our DNA, by the dream to discover new frontiers, and by sheer force of will.
It was an achievement made possible by California.
And it tells you everything you need to know about who we are and what we can be.
But California isn’t the world’s best place by birthright – we have to earn it every day.
Our hopeful vision of our brighter future is the basis for the decisions we make today. We place faith over fear – optimism over pessimism. The power is in our hands.
This is our moment – to create the California we all want to live in, to extend the dream of prosperity, equity, and progress to all.
And to continue to lead the world into the future once more.
Miscellaneous
Meet Your Bartender: Sumner Mormeneo, the artist behind the bar
More than meets the eye, this West Hollywood bartender is a consummate artist going after the LA dream.
If you frequent Beaches in West Hollywood towards the later end of the week, you know and adore bartender Sumner Mormeneo. While he is an artist behind the bar, he is also a consummate artist with a list of credits who can create a variety of art with a paintbrush or typed words. Like many, he is making his way in the Los Angeles art and entertainment scene, after packing up his life and driving across the nation to follow his dreams.
We sat down to get to know your local bartender to discuss queer nightlife, his love of horror, life beyond the bar, his sober journey and his first group show now exhibiting at Circus of Books.
Hometown: I consider Orlando my hometown but was born and raised in South Florida.
Tell us about your journey to LA:
I have visited here a handful of times but specifically, it was a vacation with my dad when I was 12 when I knew I would end up here one day. It was a Santa Monica Beach sunset that did. Ever since I was a child, I was always creating, invested in art and the arts. Whether it was forcing my neighborhood friends to be in my camcorder horror movies or to star in my poolside rendition of Jaws: Live! featuring a green and purple inflatable Bruce the Shark.
If it wasn’t some sort of show, I was painting, drawing, makeup, music, anything and everything at some point. I reached a point, living in Orlando, where I felt like I did everything I wanted to do there. I love the city, the parks, and the community Orlando has, but I felt myself repeating the same work with nothing to push me out of my comfort zone. I was on a waitlist for the art Grad program at USC, ready to get my master’s and be an art professor. Los Angeles was always on the horizon for me because of what it has to offer in terms of entertainment and the arts. I can’t imagine moving here straight out of college and trying to figure myself out. I am very grateful that I allowed myself the experience to become a fully realized and recognized artist in another city before moving here.
How would you describe your art?
I’m a multimedia or interdisciplinary artist. The work itself I would describe as surreal. Haunting. Honest. And most importantly, Gay. My paintings and performance art take place in some sort of void.
What do you love most about being part of the queer nightlife scene in L.A?
Working specifically in West Hollywood, it’s hearing people’s stories. I’m fortunate to have a family and come from a place that’s not only accepting but loving. That’s not the same for everyone. Working in West Hollywood, you meet so many queer people from all over the world with so many different stories. Once in a while, you’re the first person a queer person on the run meets. Giving my advice on how to navigate this city or sometimes just a genuine smile and “Welcome to Los Angeles” is enough to make me cry on my drive home from work. And yes, I usually listen to “Pink Pony Club” on those drives.
What do you love most about living in L.A?
There was a tweet (is that what they’re still called?) that was going around on socials during the aftermath of the fires. It says “…Los Angeles is a proud blue-collar city with people from all walks of life. And then the creative black sheep from every family in America comes here to create art together. Do you realize how beautiful that is?” Every time I read it, I get emotional. I was the weird one my whole life, still am! But even more than that, being a creative is hard to explain to people. Most people don’t understand it. It’s beautiful, intimidating, and magical to live in a place filled with others like me.
What is your signature drink to pour?
It doesn’t have a name, but I make a version of a drink I had in Miami when I was 16. It was a blueberry mojito. I’ve recreated my version of it. I like to think that being half Cuban has something to do with being able to make a good mojito.
How do you balance your art with your nightlife?
It used to be very unbalanced! I still question if I’m doing it right. Not even the nightlife part, just balancing art with life. I find comfort in knowing many artists and creatives struggle with this. I sometimes get into a groove of a schedule and then it falls off. My ADHD brain likes to pick up new things and get over them quickly, too. Thankfully, I’ve learned to filter out which ones (projects) are worth keeping. In recent months, I’ve cleared a couple of days out of the week before working at night to make sure I always have at least 2 full days a week to invest in whatever I’m working on.
You celebrate the sober life. How does that work with you being a bartender?
I hear this question a lot and it’s the same response every time. It is so much easier for me than you think. I work the late hours of West Hollywood when people just want to get fucked up and party. A lot of them are fun and even more of them are messy (ha ha). Seeing the messy people is an instant reminder of what I do not want to be.
You also have a love for horror. What is it about horror that attracts you so much?
I wish I had a straight answer for this. There are full-length documentaries and studies on why people are attracted to it. I used to say that when I was young, I couldn’t handle it at all. The hard rated-R movies gave me nightmares for years and I’m still convinced Pennywise will tickle my feet in the shower. However, recently, I’ve realized I was actually always attracted to it. Maybe in a conquer my fears way, or maybe attracted to it in an “otherness” sort of way. I was the Wicked Witch of the West for Halloween when I was maybe 5 and Phantom of the Opera when I was 7. I insisted on renting Hocus Pocus every Blockbuster visit. The first VHS I bought with my allowance was Beetlejuice.
Oh, and the “Behind the Scenes” VHS that came with the Jaws 25th Anniversary Release was monumental in shaping my poolside production. My mother always loved horror and would show me the Classic Universal Monsters when I was little. I still have an affinity for Frankenstein. Eventually, her love for John Carpenter’s Halloween is what bled out onto me and I embraced it. I remember cowering in the theater when I was 12 during the Texas Chainsaw remake, but by 14, I was stupidly excited about going to Halloween Horror Nights.
So I’m guessing turning 13 has something to do with it? There’s a humor in some horror that allows you to laugh at life and then there’s other horror that allows you to look at life’s experiences profoundly. I think both are equally important.
How do the horror and queer worlds complement each other?
Nothing is more queer than a final girl. Under attack, stressed, trying to survive. Sounds pretty relevant to me! The queer coding of villains is something that’s come up a lot recently and that one probably has the deepest hook in me. It’s almost common knowledge now that the drag queen Divine inspired Ursula. Ursula is a drag queen. Scar is that one catty gay everyone knows and Jafar is the pretentious one. I love how the genre is being turned around from what was once considered trash to moving its way into the Oscars.
And of course, there’s that whole 14-acre expansion coming to the Magic Kingdom in Orlando celebrating the villains. The genre has so many sub-genres that can explore queerness and complement each other. I mentioned slashers and Disney villains, but even just to quickly apply it to something like a paranormal story- it could easily be translated into an “unknown” haunting relating to someone’s coming out story or someone’s identity being suppressed. Horror is the one genre that allows you to say whatever you, however you want.
What are you currently working on in the art/entertainment world?
My heart breaks a little when I tell people I don’t paint anymore or don’t plan on bringing my show The Infinite Conversation here. I would still love to paint some murals out here if given the opportunity. I think I hinted towards it earlier, but L.A. has more to offer than what I would have been able to do just on my own in Orlando. And that’s film and music. They are my first two loves and the mediums that always seemed so impossible. I realized on my U-Haul drive over here that writing scary movies was the one thing I’ve always really wanted to do, it just seemed out of reach or impractical living elsewhere. So that’s what I’m working on! I’m about to get started on my third draft of a queer paranormal feature that I’m in love with. I started writing and rehearsing with a band late last year, too. It didn’t work out with them, but I’ve been working on some stuff with another band more recently. We’ll be meeting up next week to see if we’re a good fit for each other. So, instead of sitting in a theater and watching me perform, you might get to dance in a mosh pit and watch me perform soon instead (haha). I’m showing a couple of pieces in my first group show here in L.A. at Circus of Books. The show is called Dark Hearts and was curated by Sküt. It’s up until March 17.
What do you want most out of your career in LA?
My dream is to one day focus solely on my creative work. I love bartending, but I didn’t move here to do it forever. To be pushed more, out of my comfort zone, to be able to create new things, tell new stories, experiment with and learn from new mediums, and eventually be able to make a living out it. That’s what I want out of L.A. That’s the Hollywood dream, right? To keep it simple, I just want to make scary movies and heavy metal (haha).
What is one thing in LA that you haven’t done yet that is on your list?
Go to a premiere for a movie I wrote? (ha ha) I think this bleeds into the last question and what I’m really here for. I get hard on myself sometimes, thinking I should be working harder and longer. But realistically, I know things take time and I’m still young and learning. Eventually, getting my movie made would be nice. I already know the next couple of stories I want to write. And maybe in the next year, I will play my first show as a frontman in a metal band. Both are possible! I know you asked for one, but I’ve been focused on two things as of late.
There have been many changes in queer nightlife over the last few years, and now we are under political attack. What do you think the future of queer nightlife looks like?
It’s weird. I had a close experience with the Pulse Shooting in Orlando. I’ve seen a community come together and stronger than ever, and I’ve seen it change into something I don’t recognize. I’ve noticed far less drinking with this newer generation, too. I appreciate the growing popularity of experiential events, pop-ups, and venues. I look at things like Meow Wolf or smaller-scale events created by promoters with creative and community-driven intent. There’s always going to be bars and clubs, but I’ve noticed a slow progressive lean into experiencing things with friends, others, or a community. I think that’s beautiful. And as a sober person, more fun. Whatever political agenda is taking place in Office, and however fucked it is, we as queer people have always been here and are always going to be here. Nothing can change that.
What is your message to the queer community?
Your voice is important. In this city and media moving forward, especially. I’m sure others can relate, but growing up queer in a straight world, I was taught to let things go, to turn a blind eye to things that didn’t sit right with me, and ultimately, as a millennial, was taught that there was only one type of gay man. Plot twist, there isn’t. Speak up, and share your story, because your story can help someone else’s perspective or even save a life.
Breaking News
Trump’s freeze on funds raises questions, concerns, criticism
Initial ban stated immediate freeze to all federal funds, now blocked by judge
The Trump administration rescinded a memo which alerted agencies and organizations to identify and review federal financial assistance programs that do not align with the president’s new policies. The memo specifically highlight’s Trump executive order signed on Jan. 20, Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government – a move that specifically targets the LGBTQ+ communities and the organizations who aid them.
On Monday, the Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget released the memo, stating Trump’s immediate plans to freeze federal funds that would directly impact departments and agencies who the administration claims are working toward spreading ‘gender ideology extremism.’ The memo immediately created widespread confusion and raised concerns among all organizations who receive federal funds.
The White House even had to release an immediate Q&A to answer all the questions and concerns regarding the freeze. The Q&A explained that the freeze on federal funds was meant for organizations who use federal funds to protect LGBTQ+ rights, access to housing, combating domestic violence and many more, further stating that organizations that provide Medicare, Social Security and SNAP benefits, are exempt from this freeze.
Quickly following the release of this memo and moments before it was scheduled to take effect, District Judge Loren L. AliKhan issued a block and shortly after that, the administration rescinded the freeze in a two-sentence statement, all while arguing that Trump’s action is not full impoundment – when a president holds back money that Congress has already approved for a specific purpose.
The first memo urged agencies to immediately review financial assistance programs and activities to align with the new policies and requirements set forth by the new administration in order to ‘protect the American people and safeguard taxpayer resources,’ referencing the list of executive orders Trump signed into action over the first 10 days in office.
Organizations who heavily rely on this type of assistance worked swiftly to release statements regarding the latest attack on vulnerable communities such as those who are undocumented or identify as LGBTQ+.
The LA LGBT Center reached out to the community to ask for support while the future financial stability becomes uncertain as more incoming threats loom on the horizon. The Center is only one of many organizations which receive federal funding and who stand to see the detrimental losses of financial assistance under this administration.
“We know that our work is being targeted by the Trump Administration and Republican-controlled Congress, but we remain unwavering in our commitment to providing the life-saving services that are essential to our community,” said Joe Hollendoner, CEO of the LA LGBT Center. “The Center will fight to protect federal funding for Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, HIV services and LGBTQ+ specific intimate partner violence programs – despite scare tactics by members of the Trump administration to cut these services.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer issued a statement regarding Monday’s ban on federal funds. “In the blink of an eye, and in the dead of night Donald Trump committed one of the cruelest actions I have seen the federal government make in a very long time,” said Senate Minority Leader Schumer.
This is just the first of many attacks and attempts to severely punish and disable organizations who are working to ensure that vulnerable populations receive basic needs and assistance.
Community Services - PSA
Heal in community at these upcoming mutual aid events
These upcoming events will donate proceeds to fire relief funds and directly impacted community members
If you are in need of resources, services or just a distraction from the onslaught of devastating news, we’ve compiled a list of upcoming events and organizers who are helping heal the community.
Stud Country will be hosting an event at Club Bahia on Jan. 20, where they will make matched donations for dance lessons at 8:30 pm and 10 pm, in financial support of those affected by the LA fires. Stud Country is an event organizing brand aimed at preserving and celebrating the legacy of queer dance spaces and honoring the rich history of LGBTQ+ cowboy culture. They host regular events and dance lessons across San Francisco, New York City and Los Angeles.
Bar Flores LA will be hosting their weekly event, The World Is Our Oyster this Thursday, Jan. 23 at 7 pm, geared at uniting the queer community through drag, dancing, DJ sets, tarot readings and eating oysters. On their Instagram post, they stated that a percentage of the proceeds will be donated to the California fire relief efforts.
BabyGay, a nonprofit aimed at building inclusive community spaces, issued a statement through their newsletter saying that they had to evacuate from their home during the peak of the fires, unsure if they would ever be able to return.
“In times of crisis like this, our strength lies in our unity and ability to support one another,” said the statement.
BabyGay LA is hosting a LA Queer Events Coalition at Center Silverlake on Jan. 25 from 1pm to 3 pm. The event will be moderated by Carla Ibarra from the LA Civil Rights Department and hosted by Chanel and The Circus, as well as Miss Marquez from Empowerment in Heels. Together, they will guide the community through an afternoon focused on support and immediate assistance. They will also be offering support from on-site therapists by the Open Space Therapy Collective, grounding yoga led by With Love Projects, direct access to essential resources and services, and more.
Trans Dudes of LA, Yes Ma’am Club, Whxremones LA and The Gay Agenda LA are co-hosting a benefit fund called Back On Our Feet, at Sassafras Salon on Jan. 25 from 7 pm to 1am. On their Instagram, they posted that ‘100% of the sales will be donated to the organizations supporting victims of the current fires in Los Angeles.’The suggested donation is $5 for tickets that can be purchased through Eventbrite. According to their post, the night will feature drag, DJs and dancing.
Butchona will be bringing back their event to Little Joy Cocktails in Echo Park on Jan. 26 from 4 pm to 9 pm, featuring the OG DJ’s that brought this event to the queer Latin American community of LA, playing corridos, quebraditas, banda and more. They will also be featuring special guest DJ Todo Trankiloski, who’s part of the Chulita Vinyl Club – a DJ group who plays vinyl sets and recently celebrated 10 years of building their brand and QTBIPOC support system. Though the event is always free, they will be accepting donations for 2 families directly impacted by the Eaton Canyon fire, as well as CHIRLA, the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, supporting the immigrant communities of LA.
Mariposx Healing will lead a Somatic Soothing Zoom event in collaboration with Liberatory Wellness Network and Pat.Radical.Therapist, for people affected by the L.A fires on Jan. 28 at 6pm.
“This session is for people affected by the Los Angeles fires. Azul of Mariposx Healing will hold space for expression of emotions through somatic practices, movement, chanting and drum medicine,” reads the IG post.
Perverse4Verse will host their next event on Jan. 30 at the Heavy Manners Library, with a $10 suggested donation and all proceeds going toward a fire relief fund for the community. The theme of the event is collective healing, as they will be featuring community organizers and poets who will be gathering to celebrate leather love and collective care through poetry, togetherness and education. This event is hosted by Karla Lamb, a well-known community organizer in queer literary spaces.
Butch Monthly LA is hosting a donation-based event on Jan. 31, from 6 pm to 8 pm at the Rediscover Center Mid City. They will be hosting a Zine-making night in collaboration with Rebuild, to fundraise for LA Fire relief which will be ‘open to butches and those who love them,’ according to their IG post.
Lesbian Goth Night postponed their monthly event set for Saturday Jan. 11, in light of the fires and devastation felt by many community members and their loved ones. They will now be holding the event on Feb. 7 at 9:30 pm to celebrate Valentine’s Day, honoring the tickets from January’s cancelled event and opening up sales to welcome more people.
“We understand that the weeks have been heavy, as we are too still processing the devastation surrounding the fires,” reads an Instagram post by Lesbian Goth Night. “We were very much looking forward to our January event and seeing all the new and familiar faces\, but throwing the event during that time didn’t feel right on many levels.
California Politics
Ysabel Jurado: A political maverick changing the narrative in LA politics
Jurado says it’s time for something different and she is it.
Tenant rights attorney Ysabel Jurado is known as the progressive, grassroots candidate in
the race for the hot seat that her opponent Kevin De León currently holds in Council District 14, even after years of recalls following a racism and homophobia scandal.
Jurado says it’s time for something different and she is it.
“I’m an API woman, I’m educated, I’m a citizen and English is my first language–
among others,” said Jurado in an interview with Los Angeles Blade. “And I’m also proud that on this team, we are largely led by LGBTQ+ folks, women of color, and people of color.”
As an out candidate, Jurado says she is intentional about the people she hires as part of
her campaign team. She is inclusive of nonbinary people and anyone who identifies as part of the QTBIPOC and LGBTQ+ acronyms, because she doesn’t just want to talk about them, she also wants to incorporate their lived experiences in her campaign mission. She says this in part
because of her own identity, but also because of the scandal that rocked De León’s political career.
The scandal follows various City Council members of CD-14 ranting about other BIPOC
members of Council and their LGBTQ+ families. The leaked audio recording included her
opponent De León — who at the time had his eyes set on running for mayor of Los Angeles.
“A lot of the groups talked about in these tapes are the people that we’ve recruited and
who we are making sure to build a coalition with,” said Jurado.
Going into this campaign race, she asked herself: ‘How do I go into this institution and
not become the worst parts of it?’
“If I ever become that, I want you to put my feet to the fire and shift me out of there,
because at that point I have betrayed myself,” responding to the question she had asked herself.
Jurado is currently facing backlash from many community members who support the
police force in Los Angeles, after she was elicited to respond to a question regarding her stance
on police funding. Some of those community members are now actively pushing for her to drop out of the race for Council District 14.
According to NBC4, family members of fallen Los Angeles Police Department officers
have spoken out to say they worry the remarks she made in regards to her stance on police
funding would hurt the LAPD’s ability to recruit new officers.
“In a meeting with students at Cal State LA, I quoted a lyric from a song that’s been part
of a larger conversation on systemic injustice and police accountability for decades…,” said
Jurado to NBC4.
Later, other news outlets reported that the person who elicited the ‘f-ck the police,’
response from Jurado, was a staffer working for De León.
“When you look at what I say and when you look at what I’m doing, I walk the walk and
I’m not going to take any bullshit sitting down, even though [De León] tries,” said Jurado in an
interview.
Jurado has been campaigning for this position since last summer and has since made
dozens of headlines that suggest she is a political force to be reckoned with and has been
building gains in the mostly Latin American Council district. She also brings up the long and problematic history of candidates and elected officials who have resigned, been indicted for corruption, or who have been asked to ‘step down over shady backroom deals.’
“The focus isn’t about me and him and what petty back-and-forth things we say, it’s
about our communities and wanting to make sure we talk to voters and rising above. Because at the end of the day, it’s about the work,” said Jurado. “It’s not about the noise and trying to bring it back to who gets hurt by all these conversations, which are the constituents.”
Jurado is an out LGBTQ single mother and lifelong resident of Highland Park who has
tirelessly fought for tenant rights and protections during her time as a tenants’ rights attorney and housing justice advocate. She prides herself in being a self-made politician who started her journey at Pasadena City College, then earned her bachelor’s degree at University of California, Los Angeles and then went to law school.
Jurado then went on to fight gentrification-driven displacement and in her candidate
statement, she says she spends her days protecting neighborhoods from corrupt developers and politicians.
“This campaign is for ‘the other.’ Being a daughter of immigrants, or whatever your
identity is, you become fluent in two different modalities,” said Jurado. “You know what the
dominant culture is and what the non-dominant culture is and you learn how to navigate through it. I think that is a superpower our people have, people who have always been ‘othered.’
Jurado is currently canvassing in the community, leading up to the election with support from Hugo Soto-Martinez, LA City Council Member of CD-13 and Eunisses Hernandez, LA City Council Member CD-1.
Miscellaneous
Pope Francis meets with transgender, intersex Catholics
Meeting took place at pontiff’s Vatican residence on Oct. 12
Pope Francis met with a group of transgender and intersex Catholics and LGBTQ allies at the Vatican on Oct. 12.
During the meeting, participants shared their personal stories, urging the pope to support greater acceptance within the church and address its stance on gender-affirming care.
Sister Jeannine Gramick, one of the co-founders of New Ways Ministry, a U.S.-based Catholic organization advocating for LGBTQ people, arranged the meeting that took place at Casa Santa Marta, Francis’s residence in Vatican City.
The delegation that met with the pope included Nicole Santamaría, an intersex woman, Michael Sennett, a trans man, and Cynthia Herrick, a doctor who works in a gender medicine clinic. Over the course of more than an hour, they recounted to Francis their struggles with depression and suicide on their transition journey and emphasized the positive impact of gender-affirming care.
New Ways Ministry Executive Director Francis DeBernardo, who was present at the meeting, said Francis didn’t respond vocally so much, but, clutching his cross, looked “sincerely pained” as he listened to people describe their hardships and “nodded vigorously when they talked about how positive medical transition was for them.”
“He really thanked them. He was very grateful that he had this opportunity,” DeBernardo said.
The impetus for bringing the pope in direct conversation with trans and intersex people was the Vatican’s release of the “Dignitas Infinata” declaration in April. While the document emphasized the need for respect and dignity for all, it also condemned gender-affirming medical care, framing it as incompatible with human dignity.
Gramick, who had been corresponding with the pope and had met him with members of the New Ways Ministry last year, was disappointed by the declaration and proposed that he hear directly from trans and intersex Catholics about their experiences, to which he agreed.
“Part of the problem is that the Vatican documents had not consulted transgender, intersex people, or any of the medical professionals who work with them. So we were encouraging the pope to consult with people more and to view people’s stories,” DeBernardo said.
The participants in the meeting had previously shared their personal testimonies with a group of two dozen Catholic bishops in the U.S. earlier this year as part of New Ways Ministry’s efforts to educate church leaders about the experiences of LGBTQ people and to advocate for their full acceptance.
During the meeting, Gramick stressed to Francis that other Vatican officials must also listen to the voices of LGBTQ people. DeBernardo said the pope fully agreed with this suggestion.
DeBernardo believes that by accepting the invitation to meet the group and listening to the experiences of trans and intersex people, Francis was deliberately setting a precedent for other church leaders to engage more meaningfully with the LGBTQ community.
In its doctrine, the Catholic Church condemns any same-sex sexual relations and rejects same-sex marriage. However, under Francis, the church has generally adopted a more inclusive tone toward LGBTQ people. The Vatican last year reversed a 2015 absolute ban on trans people serving as godparents, and approved priests to bless same-sex couples — but not same-sex unions.
Two LGBTQ activists from Africa — Clare Byarugaba of Chapter Four Uganda and Rightify Ghana Director Ebenezer Peegah — met with Francis in August.
Community Services - PSA
LGBTQ+ voter education town hall held tonight in Los Angeles
Unique Women’s Coalition, Equality California and FLUX host discussion on upcoming election.
The Unique Women’s Coalition, Equality California and FLUX, a national division of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, will host their second annual voter education town hall today at the Connie Norman Transgender Empowerment Center in Los Angeles from 7PM to 9PM tonight.
The organizations will present and discuss ballot propositions and measures that will appear on the November ballot and that affect the LGBTQ+ community in this part of the town hall series titled ‘The Issues.’
“The trans and nonbinary community is taking its seat at the table, and we are taking the time and space to be informed and prepare the voter base,” said Queen Victoria Ortega, international president of FLUX.
The town hall will feature conversations through a Q&A followed by a reception for program participants, organizational partners and LGBTQ+ city and county officials.
There will later be a third town hall before the election and The Connie Norman Transgender Empowerment Center will also become a voting location for anyone who feels like they need a safe space to vote, regardless of what voting district they are a part of.
“Our community is really asking for a place to talk about what all of this actually means because although we live in a blue sphere, housing and other forms of discrimination are still a very real threat,” said Scottie Jeanette Madden, director of advocacy at The Connie Norman Transgender Empowerment Center.
Miscellaneous
Chino Valley School District gender notification policy blocked by San Bernardino County Superior Court
A San Bernardino County judge permanently blocked Chino Valley Unified school board’s policy requiring staff to disclose students’ gender identity to parents without consent.
Judge Michael A. Sachs ruled on September 9, 2024, that the notoriously anti-LGBTQ Chino Valley Unified school board‘s policy is discriminatory,permanently halting enforcement.
“The San Bernardino Superior Court’s decision to issue permanent injunctive and declaratory relief against the Chino Valley Unified School District Board of Education’s forced outing policy is a tremendous victory for LGBTQ+ youth, their families, and the entire Chino Valley community,” said executive director Tony Hoang, regarding the ruling. “This ruling acknowledges that every student deserves to feel safe, respected, and supported in their schools — without fear of being outed against their will.”
Earlier this year, California became the first state to ban gender notification policies after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 1955 into law. The bill was previously The Support Academic Futures and Educators for Today’s Youth Act, or SAFETY Act.
This move was seemingly the last straw tieing Elon Musk to San Francisco, because shortly after the bill proposed by Assemblyman Chris Ward (D-San Diego) was signed into law, Musk announced that he was moving X and SpaceX operations out of California and into Texas.
Last Summer, Attorney General Rob Bonta addressed the Chino Valley Unified School District, urging them to protect student privacy and autonomy.
“By allowing for the disclosure of a student’s gender identity without their consent, Chino Valley Unified School District’s suggested Parental Notification policy would strip them of their freedom, violate their autonomy, and potentially put them in a harmful situation,” said Att. General Bonta in a statement. “Our schools should be protecting the rights of all students, especially those who are most vulnerable, and should be safeguarding students’ rights to fully participate in all educational and extracurricular opportunities.”
The Chino Valley USD policy required certified staff, school counselors and principals to inform students’ parents – with minimal exceptions – when a student requests to change their name, pronouns, access restroom facilities or joining athletic teams that do not align with their assigned gender at birth.
The Court initially granted a temporary restraining order and then a preliminary injunction, or ‘temporary relief,’ while the ruling was to be made.
The case document states that the Board of Directors voted 4-1 to adopt the policy.
The solo board member who voted against the policy stated that “shutting the door on students confiding to a staff member or a teacher, thereby preventing the school from being a ‘supporting place’ and that the ‘notification process’ was effectively throwing students back into the closet and slamming the door.”
The court document also states that “The Board did not cite or describe any statistical or qualitative evidence to support the policy, nor were the statements made considering alternative policies (including gender-neutral alternatives).
Liberty Justice Center, the conservative law firm that represented the district last year, then said it would appeal the decision to sue the district over the policy.
Chino Valley USD began enforcing the policy last summer and by March 7, rescinded it. By August, their continued attack on LGBTQ+ issues continued with their proposed ban on LGBTQ+ books, stating that they are “sexually obscene.”
Though the District rescinded the parental-notification policy, the Board continued to build a case for it and ultimately continued to stand by it.
Sonja Shaw, the Board’s president whose term expires in 2026, stated that she believed these parental notifications would ensure that gender non-conforming individuals would “get better.”
The justification for the policy was that it aided in fostering communication and trust between parents and the District.
The case document also states that the policy is for parents to exercise “effective control” over their children. It notes the Parham v J.R (1979) Supreme Court case where it indicated that parents’ rights can oftentimes trump over the rights of their children.
The court also referenced Mirabello v Olson (2023), a case brought forward by two religious teachers at Rincon Middle School who are in favor of the gender-notification policy being enforced in their district.
The judge ruled in favor of the teachers and stated that they could not be forced to “deceive parents about their children’s gender identity preferences.”
The court document for the case against Chino Valley USD further states however, that “although parents have undeniable rights, a determination that the Old Policy is unconstitutional does not directly infringe upon those rights.”
This means that parents’ rights to communication and trust with the Board of Education –as well as staff and faculty at their child’s school– is not under threat if this parental-notification policy is struck down permanently.
The relationship between parents and their children is not under threat.
The judge stated that “even if some infringement of parental rights occurs, the Court must still balance the competing equal protection interests and there are less restrictive means that restrict both.”
Books
Q&A with Chris Tompkins, author of “Raising LGBTQ Allies”
In an enlightening interview with the Los Angeles Blade, Chris Tompkins, author of “Raising LGBTQ Allies,” shares invaluable insights on fostering acceptance and understanding in families and communities. Tompkins, inspired by a personal experience with his young nephew, delves into the complexities of discussing gender and sexuality with children, addressing internalized biases, and the importance of proactive, open conversations. His book, which has garnered critical acclaim, offers a compassionate guide for parents, educators, and LGBTQ individuals alike, aiming to create a more inclusive world for future generations.
Los Angeles Blade: What inspired you to write “Raising LGBTQ Allies”?
Chris Tompkins: A question from my six-year-old nephew inspired me. Despite being out and supported by my family, he asked if a woman sitting next to me was my girlfriend. This made me realize that homophobia can be multilayered, sophisticated, and sometimes manifest as silence.
Los Angeles Blade: How did your upbringing influence your work?
Chris Tompkins: Growing up gay in a religious household, I struggled with my relationship with God. Reconnecting with my version of a “higher power” was transformative. My experiences teaching social-emotional learning and working with the LGBTQ community have shown me the importance of spirituality and self-love.
Los Angeles Blade: Why is your book important for LGBTQ community members, whether they have kids or not?
Chris Tompkins: It helped me realize my own responsibility in raising LGBTQ allies, even as a single, out-of-state uncle. The book encourages LGBTQ individuals to embody the change they want to see in younger generations.
Los Angeles Blade: Who could benefit from your book?
Chris Tompkins: While it’s titled for parents, “Raising LGBTQ Allies” is also a resource for LGBTQ community members to heal from trauma and toxic shame, especially given the current surge of anti-LGBTQ legislation.
Los Angeles Blade: Why is addressing trauma and shame important for the LGBTQ community?
Chris Tompkins: Trauma stems from chronic invalidation, which is common in the LGBTQ experience. Addressing these issues is crucial for mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.
Los Angeles Blade: Can you explain the concept of trauma in the context of LGBTQ experiences?
Chris Tompkins: Trauma can be subtle and insidious, like the “thousand paper cuts” of chronic invalidation. Even in seemingly accepting environments, internalized shame can persist, affecting mental health and leading to coping mechanisms like substance abuse.
Los Angeles Blade: What is “Benign Neglect” and how does it relate to LGBTQ issues?
Chris Tompkins: “Benign Neglect” refers to the unintended consequences of not communicating about important issues. In LGBTQ contexts, it’s often manifested as parents avoiding discussions about gender and sexuality with children, which can inadvertently perpetuate shame and misunderstanding.
Los Angeles Blade: How can parents discuss sexuality with young children in LGBTQ-affirming ways?
Chris Tompkins: Include same-sex examples in everyday conversations and challenge gender stereotypes. Start these discussions early – children as young as six can understand these concepts when explained appropriately.
Los Angeles Blade: How can adults ensure a child has a healthy space for self-discovery?
Chris Tompkins: Be curious and create space for open, honest conversations. It’s our responsibility to learn who children are, not for them to teach us.
Los Angeles Blade: Any advice for adults uncomfortable with these conversations?
Chris Tompkins: Focus on keeping open, not keeping up. It’s okay to feel uncertain, but don’t let that prevent you from having these important discussions.
Los Angeles Blade: What’s your perspective on the recent surge of anti-LGBTQ legislation?
Chris Tompkins: It’s a countercultural dynamic, like a pendulum swinging back after progress. This emphasizes the importance of proactive conversations to challenge bias and raise allies.
CHRIS TOMPKINS is an LGBTQ-affirming therapist who specializes in gay men’s identity and religious trauma.
Los Angeles Blade: Can you discuss problematic language in LGBTQ conversations?
Chris Tompkins: Words like “issues,” “lifestyle,” “different,” and “trend” can be harmful. They often carry subconscious bias and can unintentionally perpetuate the idea that being LGBTQ is a choice. It’s important to be mindful of our language.
Los Angeles Blade: How can we recognize and unravel our own biases?
Chris Tompkins: Start with self-reflection. Recognize that growing up in a heteronormative culture affects everyone’s beliefs. Consider the possibility that children in your life might be LGBTQ to help disrupt heteronormative thinking.
Los Angeles Blade: What are “messages from the playground”?
Chris Tompkins: It’s a metaphor for subconscious beliefs we pick up in childhood about gender, sexuality, and identity. These “messages” shape our worldview and can perpetuate shame if not addressed.
Los Angeles Blade: When and how should parents answer questions about where babies come from?
Chris Tompkins: Answer when children ask, as their curiosity indicates readiness. Use age-appropriate explanations. Discussing gender and sexuality early helps remove shame and fosters respect for these aspects of identity.
Los Angeles Blade: What’s the most important message you hope parents take from your book?
Chris Tompkins: This is a conversation for all parents, not just those with LGBTQ kids. Do the work yourself and maintain open, honest dialogues with your children.
Los Angeles Blade: How can readers engage more with your work?
Chris Tompkins: Visit my website, www.aroadtriptolove.com, or find me on Instagram: @aroadtriptolove.
Los Angeles Blade: What’s next for you and the book?
Chris Tompkins: “Raising LGBTQ Allies” has been published in Spanish and Vietnamese, with a paperback release on October 1st. It recently received the 2024 APA Distinguished Book Award, which will help it reach more readers, including educators and administrators.
Los Angeles Blade: Where can we find your book?
Chris Tompkins: It’s available wherever books are sold. You can pre-order the paperback edition now.
Los Angeles Blade: Any final advice?
Chris Tompkins: Don’t let fear of saying the wrong thing prevent you from speaking up. Ask for guidance, follow your heart, and remember that having these conversations is changing the narrative for future generations.
CHRIS TOMPKINS is an LGBTQ-affirming therapist who specializes in gay men’s identity and religious trauma. His work has been featured on TEDx, NBC, HuffPost, Psychology Today, the Advocate, and more. An uncle of five, Chris believes the privilege of a lifetime is being able to affirm all children for who they are. www.aroadtriptolove.com
Miscellaneous
African LGBTQ activists meet with Pope Francis
Pontiff met with Clare Byarugaba from Uganda and Ebenezer Peegah from Ghana
Pope Francis on Tuesday met with two LGBTQ activists from Africa at the Vatican.
Clare Byarugaba of Chapter Four Uganda posted to her X account a picture of her sitting next to Francis. A video that she shared shows Juan Carlos Cruz — a gay Chilean man who is a survivor of clergy sex abuse and a member of a commission that advises Francis on protecting children from pedophile priests — introducing her to the pontiff.
Cruz is also a member of the GLAAD board of directors.
Byarugaba, who also founded PFLAG Uganda, said she was “honored to meet” Francis. She added she briefed him on “the ruinous impact of Uganda’s two in a decade anti-LGBTIQ rights laws,” including the Anti-Homosexuality Act that President Yoweri Museveni signed in 2023, and “the gross human rights violations therein.”
“He reiterated discrimination is a sin and violence against LGBTIQ communities is unacceptable,” said Byarugaba.
The Washington Blade has reached out to Byarugaba for additional comment.
Francis on Tuesday also met with Rightify Ghana Director Ebenezer Peegah.
“With LGBTQI+ criminalization rising in Africa, and Ghana’s anti-LGBTQI+ bill pending, we shared our experiences as queer individuals in Ghana and expressed gratitude to the pope for his progressive stance, especially his opposition to violence and discrimination,” said Rightify Ghana on X. “Pope Francis encouraged us to ‘keep fighting for your rights,’ and that’s exactly what we will do.”
On Tuesday, August 14, 2024, Rightify Ghana’s Director @Ebenezer_Peegah had the honour of meeting Pope Francis @Pontifex at the Vatican.
With LGBTQI+ criminalisation rising in Africa, and Ghana’s anti-LGBTQI+ bill pending, we shared our experiences as queer individuals in.. pic.twitter.com/tYfW1X4W6D
— Rightify Ghana (@RightifyGhana) August 15, 2024
Francis during a Jan. 24, 2023, interview with the Associated Press said homosexuality is not a crime and laws that criminalize it are “unjust.” Francis a few days later reiterated these comments during a press conference on board his plane after it left South Sudan, a country that borders Uganda.
Consensual same-sex sexual relations remain criminalized in South Sudan.
“The criminalization of homosexuality is a problem that cannot be ignored,” Francis told reporters. “Criminalizing people with homosexual tendencies is an injustice.”
Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act, among other things, contains a death penalty provision for “aggravated homosexuality.”
The U.S. after Museveni signed the law imposed visa restrictions on Ugandan officials and removed the country from a program that allows sub-Saharan African countries to trade duty-free with the U.S. The World Bank Group also announced the suspension of new loans to Uganda.
The Ugandan Constitutional Court on April 3 refused to “nullify the Anti-Homosexuality Act in its totality.”
More than a dozen activists appealed the ruling to the country’s Court of Appeal. They filed a second appeal with the Supreme Court on July 11.
Angola, Botswana, Mauritius, and Seychelles are among the countries that have decriminalized consensual same-sex sexual relations over the last decade.
The Namibian government last month appealed a ruling that struck down the country’s apartheid-era sodomy laws.
Burkina Faso’s military government on July 10 announced it plans to recriminalize consensual same-sex sexual relations in the nation. The Ghanaian Supreme Court on July 24 upheld the country’s colonial-era sodomy law.
Ghanaian lawmakers on Feb. 28 approved the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill that would, among other things, criminalize allyship. President Nana Akufo-Addo has said he will not sign the bill until the Supreme Court rules on whether it is constitutional or not.
Miscellaneous
Fewer Indian MPs are ‘vocal’ on LGBTQ issues
Parties backed relationship recognition, trans rights ahead of general election
The Indian LGBTQ community is gradually gaining momentum in their fight for rights; bolstered by increasing support from courts, the public, NGOs, and even some politicians.
According to Pinklist India’s 2024 report, which archives politicians supporting LGBTQ rights, only 108 MPs have been vocal on LGBTQ issues, a notable decline from the 161 MPs in the previous parliament. In this context, “vocal” means that politicians have made public statements on LGBTQ issues, whether positive, negative, or controversial.
As India prepared for the 2024 general election, various political parties included LGBTQ concerns in their platforms.
The Indian National Congress, for example, has promised to introduce a bill that would recognize civil unions for LGBTQ couples after wide consultation. Similarly, the Communist Party of India has pledged several commitments, including amending the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2019 to address community concerns and ensure legal recognition and protection for same-sex couples similar to marriage.
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party and its coalition partners, meanwhile, had promised in their campaign platform to include the transgender community in the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, a national health insurance program for low-income citizens. The BJP also pledged to incorporate the trans community into the Garima Greh program, which provides shelter, food, medical care, and recreational facilities for destitute and abandoned trans people.
No official records exist on the LGBTQ population in India, but the 2012 Census estimated it at 2.5 million. Population data on LGBTQ people is scarce, with the government only tracking those who identify as “third gender” or “transgender” and are registered.
Only a few LGBTQ candidates ran in this year’s general election, with the majority of them withdrawing. Of the three candidates who ran, none secured a sixth of the total valid votes, resulting in all of them losing their deposits.
Election Commission of India (ECI) data indicates there are 48,000 registered trans voters. Only 20 percent of them participated in the general election.
Pinklist India data in 2020 revealed that only 27.8 percent of 543 MPs had addressed LGBTQ issues in their political careers. The highest number of these MPs belonged to the Nationalist Congress Party, the Indian National Congress, and the Communist Party of India. Pinklist India also created interactive tiles on India’s map, titled “State of QUnion,” recording statements on LGBTQ issues made by each MP.
Data from 2020 offers deeper insights into how politicians’ stances on LGBTQ issues evolve after joining a particular party.
Jothimani Sennimalai, an Indian National Congress MP from Karur, Tamil Nadu, for example, has consistently supported queer issues both before and after entering politics. Conversely, Bengaluru South BJP MP Tejasvi Surya, who previously supported marriage equality, has remained silent on the issue since his election. The Washington Blade reached out to Surya multiple times for an interview, but received no response.
Interestingly, previous data revealed a curious trend among many MPs.
Although they were vocal about trans issues outside parliament, they never engaged in debates on trans laws within it. Their silence in parliamentary chambers contrasted sharply with their public statements, painting a complex picture of political advocacy.
The Blade uncovered a striking disparity: Despite political parties pledging inclusion of the LGBTQ community in their election platforms, no major politicians addressed LGBTQ concerns during their campaign rallies. It was as if these promises, vibrant on paper, vanished into thin air when it came time to speak on the campaign trail.
The Blade reached out to Meera Parida, a trans politician from Odisha’s Biju Janata Dal, for her thoughts on the issue.
“It is very sad that it has happened,” she said with a mix of disappointment and resolve.
Parida lamented that during the passage of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act in 2019, only regional parties stood in support of the bill, highlighting a gap in broader political commitment.
“Unfortunately, we have to meet and sensitize new parliamentarians about the issue,” said Parida. “It is very sad that those leaders and members of Parliament are doing this who are supposed to raise voices for everyone including LGBTQ people of the country. We say that India is the world’s biggest democracy, we talk about equality, we talk about Sabka Sath Sabka Vikash (inclusion and development for all, a slogan Modi used during the election campaign), so does LGBTQ people not come under ‘all’? If parliamentarians behave like this, what will be the impact on the society?”
She raised a question stating that LGBTQ people are born naturally just like males or females, so why there is so much stigma regarding the community? Parida told the Blade that despite so many Supreme Court rulings and parties including LGBTQ issues in their election platforms, not a single party gave the opportunity to LGBTQ people to fight the election from the party platform.
Ankush Kumar is a reporter who has covered many stories for Washington and Los Angeles Blades from Iran, India, and Singapore. He recently reported for the Daily Beast. He can be reached at [email protected]. He is on Twitter at @mohitkopinion.
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