the pride
ISSUE NUMBER 88, VOLUME 59 | MAY 1 – MAY 31, 2023 05.01.2023 – 05.31.2023
WWW.THEPRIDELA.COM
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LOS ANGELES 1
THE LOS ANGELES LGBT NEWSPAPER
LA LGBT Center Gala Honors LGBTQ Advocates, Raises $1M+ for Lifeline Services The Los Angeles LGBT Center recently held its annual gala, where over 800 supporters came together to honor several individuals for their contributions to the LGBTQ community. The event, held at the Fairmont Century Plaza, was hosted by social media and television sensation TS Madison and featured a special performance by R&B-soul artist Durand Bernarr. The Center honored three individuals at the gala: author and activist Pamela Anderson, Emmy-winning actress Keke Palmer, and the beloved entertainer Leslie Jordan (posthumously). Anderson received the Vanguard Award for her long history of activism and allyship, while Palmer received the Vanguard Award for her achievements in the entertainment industry and her commitment to creating new opportunities for young people from marginalized communities. Jordan, an American actor and comedian, as well as a longtime supporter of the Center, was posthumously given the inaugural Leslie
Jordan Award for Excellence in the Arts. The gala also included speeches from prominent members of the LGBTQ community. Joe Hollendoner, the CEO of the Los Angeles LGBT Center, spoke about the organization’s commitment to fighting for LGBTQ rights through advocacy work, public education, and policy initiatives. He also emphasized the Center’s dedication to providing direct services and a safety net to vulnerable members of the LGBTQ community. In her acceptance speech, Anderson highlighted the importance of activism and allyship, saying, “We are painting the picture of our lives every day. And every time we walk out the door, it’s performance art. Might as well have a blast. Thank you [Los Angeles LGBT Center] for giving me the chance to share that with you.” Palmer spoke about the power of sharing unique experiences and using one’s voice to live in their truth, saying, “Living in this world, defying all definitions just to be an
original. There is no greater masterpiece than a person living in their truth.” Hollywood vets Mayim Bialik and Del Shores gave a touching tribute to Leslie Jordan, who passed away last year. Bialik praised Jordan for his authenticity and connection with fans on social media, saying, “The world formed a love and connection with Leslie during the pandemic—he was who you saw on Instagram…and that’s why he is remembered and mourned so deeply.” The evening also featured a guest video appearance by Mariah Carey, who decried the 400+ pieces of anti-LGBTQ legislation currently on the books in the United States, and a video of Nicole Richie “volunteering” at the Center, directed by 73 Questions creator Joe Sabia of Studio Sabia. The Los Angeles LGBT Center Gala was supported by Presenting Sponsor: Gilead Sciences, Inc., as well as several other sponsors, including Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Contractors State License Schools and
Photo by Araya Doheny/Getty Images for Los Angles LGBT Center Pamela Anderson accepted the Vanguard Award at the Los Angeles LGBT Center Gala on April 22.
Insurance Agency, Glamazon L.A.-Amazon’s LGBTQIA+ Affinity Group, Pauley Perrette, U.S. Bank, Wells Fargo, and American Airlines. The event raised over $1M to support the Center’s lifeline services and advocacy benefiting the LGBTQ community.
Coalition of Faith Communities Stand Against Anti-Transgender Agenda By Susan Payne At an All Saints Church in Pasadena lrecently, a coalition of faith communities discussed concerns about a proliferation of legislation that impacts transgender people and denounced anti-transgender agenda in a press conference. “We are deeply concerned about the growing number of anti-transgender bills being introduced in state legislatures across the country,” said Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, Senior Rabbi at Congregation Beth El in Berkeley, California. “These bills are based on fear and ignorance, and they are putting transgender people at risk. We call on our elected officials to reject these hateful measures and to stand up for the rights of all people.” Faith leaders from various denominations
gathered on the national “Transgender Day of Visibility” to proclaim support for the transgender and LGBTQ community, according to Pasadena Now. Many faither leaders spoke out, including Reverend Mike Kinman, the rector at All Saints. He quoted a Greek bishop who said, “the glory of God is a human being come fully alive.” “We are here today to say that transgender people are fully alive, and that their lives are sacred,” Kinman said. “We stand with them in solidarity, and we will fight for their rights.” Another leader, Jonathan Quinn, chair of the All Saints Episcopal Pasadena LGBTQ Ministry, spoke out during the gathering alongside his partner. “I’m afraid about the free practice of religion of trans people, and how that might be affected
by a lot of this new anti-trans legislation … I’m finding a lot to be afraid of these days, but as a person of faith, I believe that fear must not be given the last word. As a Christian, I believe that God created trans people to show the world their own holiness, joy and love.” Together, the coalition called on faith leaders to speak out against anti-transgender rhetoric and policies, Pasadena Now reported. “We urge all faith leaders to use their voices to speak out against hate and discrimination,” said Rev. Jennifer Yen, executive director of the Los Angeles Queer Interfaith Clergy Council. “We must stand together in love and compassion, and we must create a world where all people are safe and affirmed.” This press conference gathered in response to the transgender rights under attack across the nation, including bills that would ban
transgender students from using the bathrooms that correspond with their gender. Rabbi Karen Bender said, “As a mommy, as a parent of a child that is trans, it’s my passion to walk with them, as they discover their true selves, and all I’m asking as a parent is that to allow that to happen, to have the freedom to discover who they really are.”