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California Wants To Stop Crisis Pregnancy Centers From Lying To Women

 

Elected officials in California — including the attorney general — are urging the passage of a statewide measure that will help patients make fully informed decisions about their reproductive health care. The proposed legislation would specifically crack down on unlicensed “crisis pregnancy centers” (CPCs) that present misleading health information designed to dissuade women from choosing abortion.

At a press conference this week, Attorney General Kamala Harris pointed out that California prides itself on being a leader in the field of reproductive health policy. But she said the state could still do more to ensure that “women are empowered to make informed and timely decisions about their health and their bodies.”

Under the California Reproductive FACT Act — which stands for “Freedom, Accountability, Comprehensive Care, and Transparency” — licensed women’s health facilities would be required to inform their patients about how they can obtain affordable birth control, abortion, and prenatal care. Facilities that don’t have a medical license, meanwhile, would be required to make it clear that they aren’t licensed and clarify which of those service they don’t offer.

The state lawmakers spearheading the legislation say that type of transparency will help patients recognize when they’re in CPCs, which are right-wing organizations that have become powerful players in the anti-choice movement.

CPCs masquerade as women’s health clinics in order to get face-to-face with pregnant women. These centers typically offer free pregnancy tests and ultrasounds, their staff members often wear white coats, and their waiting rooms tend to look like any other doctor’s office. However, they don’t actually offer birth control or abortion services. They are largely in the business of providing biased counseling designed to convince women to continue their pregnancies. In order to do that, their staff often imparts blatantly false medical misinformation — downplaying the effectiveness of birth control, exaggerating the medical risk of abortion, and emphasizing shame-based messages about the dangers of having sex outside of marriage.

Despite the fact that the Golden State has taken unprecedented steps to expand access to abortion services, opponents of the medical procedure have continued to make inroads with the help of CPCs. Particularly when a scared woman facing an unintended pregnancy is desperate to find the nearest clinic, it can be difficult for them to distinguish a CPC from a real reproductive health facility.

Critics of the centers say that’s exactly the point. There are an estimated 167 CPCs throughout California, and, according to a recent report from the state’s NARAL affiliate, they often set up shop in low-income and minority communities where many of the women only speak Spanish.

“We think it creates an interesting dynamic here. People are lucky enough to live in a state that has good protections and good coverage for abortion and prenatal care, but aren’t necessarily going to get to the right place,” Rebecca Griffin, the assistant director of California Programs at NARAL, told ThinkProgress in a recent interview.

That’s where the Reproductive FACT Act comes in. Not long after NARAL’s report was released, Assemblymembers David Chiu (D) and Autumn Burke (D) introduced the measure, citing the “growing and alarming movement working to mislead women in order to achieve their political ideology.”

Chiu and Burke’s bill represents the first time that California lawmakers have attempted to crack down on CPCs on a statewide level, but it’s hardly the first legislative effort in this area. Three years ago, San Francisco became the first city in the country to pass a local ordinance requiring CPCs to make it clear they don’t offer abortion services or referrals. That policy was challenged for allegedly violating CPC owners’ freedom of speech, but a federal judge rejected that argument and upheld the ordinance earlier this spring.

There are already some signs that the anti-abortion community is mobilizing in opposition to the proposed Reproductive FACT Act, calling it a “bully bill” that’s “demeaning to women.”

Supporters of the measure have brushed aside those critiques. “I find it extremely difficult to understand how people who claim to care about women find it so threatening to inform them about accessing affordable health care,” Amy Everitt, the state director of NARAL Pro-Choice California, said at this week’s press conference. “We can all agree that women deserve to have all the information in front of them when they make some of the most important decisions they will ever face.”

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California Assembly Passes Equal Protection for All Families Act with Unanimous Vote

The Equal Protection for All Families Act, authored by Assemblymember David Chiu and co-sponsored by Equality California, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, and Our Family Coalition, passed the California Assembly yesterday with unanimous support. The bill updates California assisted reproduction laws to help ensure that all families are protected equally under California law.

AB 960, the Equal Protection For All Families Act, updates the state’s assisted reproduction laws to ensure all couples using assisted reproduction are fully recognized as parents as intended. Specifically, AB 960 would allow unmarried people using assisted reproduction to be fully recognized as parents on the same terms as married parents. Further, this bill would remove the requirement from family law that couples must involve a doctor when using assisted reproduction in order to ensure that the donor is not recognized as a parent. AB 960 also provides clear direction for how egg donors should be treated under California law. These important changes in the law will increase access to family building options by eliminating economic barriers.

“The Assembly’s actions yesterday take California a step closer to bringing its assisted reproduction laws to reflect today’s realities,” said Assemblymember David Chiu. “Many families, especially our LGBT families, are now formed using assisted reproduction. California law needs to rightfully recognize all couples as parents the moment their child is born.”

“AB 960 is incredibly important to LGBT couples looking to plan and create their families in California,” said Rick Zbur executive director for Equality California. “With yesterday’s vote in the Assembly, California legislators reaffirmed the idea that families are created in various ways and they all should be valued and recognized equally under the law. We remain committed to seeing the Equal Protection for All Families Act passed and signed into law.”

AB 960 will move to the Senate Rules Committee for referral to a Senate policy committee. The next policy committee hearing on the bill will be in late June or early July.

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Assemblymembers Join EQCA in Urging FDA to Develop New Blood Donation Policies

On May 14, AJR 16, authored by Assemblymembers Richard Bloom, Eduardo Garcia and Evan Low and sponsored by Equality California, was introduced in the State Assembly in response to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) new blood donor guidelines that continue to discriminate against gay and bisexual men. The new proposed FDA guidelines would continue to prohibit blood donation from all sexually active gay and bisexual men. Specifically, all men who have had sex with another man within the past 12 months would be prohibited from donating blood. The resolution calls on President Barack Obama to encourage the Secretary of Health and Human services to direct the FDA to develop science-based guidelines that focus on risk-assessment of individuals instead of the arcane and discriminatory standards that continue to discriminate against gay and bisexual men.

“We are extremely disappointed that the FDA continues to pursue a path of pretend reform. Equality California stands alongside and thanks Assemblymembers Richard Bloom, Eduardo Garcia and Evan Low in urging the FDA to repeal its current blood donation guidelines that continue to stigmatize and discriminate against gay and bisexual men,” said Rick Zbur, executive director of Equality California. “The proposed one-year deferral policy still prohibits all sexually active gay and bisexual men from giving blood based on their sexual orientation. So a gay man who has repeatedly tested negative for HIV and who is in a monogamous relationship is prohibited from giving blood, while others who engage in high risk behaviors are allowed to donate. This is simply unfair. The FDA should change course and do the hard work to develop risk-based blood donation policies based on modern science and individual behavior.”

“While the DHHS and FDA action is an important first step in lifting the lifetime ban on gay and bisexual men to donate blood, the current recommendation for a one-year deferral period for gay men is still discriminatory,” said Assemblymember Evan Low. “I urge the departments to continue to explore safe alternative policies that would allow individuals in the LGBT community to donate blood as equal members of society.”

“The 12 month deferral policy for gay and bisexual men to donate blood is ridiculous and not even based on science,” said Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia. “Our resolution is about equality and that every single Californian should be treated fairly when donating blood to help save lives.”

Equality California has advocated that the FDA replace antiquated blood donation guidelines that focus on sexual orientation with modern science-based guidelines that focus on risk factors associated with individual behavior. Outside of the United States, countries like Spain, Italy, Russia, Mexico and Portugal have adopted blood donation policies that utilize assessments of risk of an individual’s behavior, instead of the sex of a person’s sexual partners.

“The FDA’s proposed one-year deferral policy continues to stigmatize gay and bisexual men,” said Assemblymember Richard Bloom. “Today’s blood testing technology and screening techniques are reliable methods for preventing transfusion-related transmission of disease. A one-year deferral is unnecessary and not based on science.”

“These guidelines would continue to prevent countless gay and bisexual men from making life-saving donations to the nation’s blood supply,” continued Zbur. “Equality California is redoubling its efforts to change this unfair policy, and we thank Assemblymember Bloom, Garcia and Low for standing with us and for their important leadership.”

In October of 2014, Equality California launched a mobilization campaign to urge the Department of Health and Human Services and the Food and Drug Administration to end the discriminatory lifetime ban on blood donations from men who have sex with men. Equality California’s campaign called “Every Drop Counts” mobilized the LGBT community and its allies, who sent thousands of emails and letters to the FDA calling for an end to the ban. Equality California will continue to mobilize the LGBT community to call on the FDA to end this discriminatory ban. Equality California remains committed to working toward an outcome that minimizes the risk to our nation’s blood supply and treats gay and bisexual men equally.

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Equality California is California’s largest statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization focused on creating a fair and just society. Our mission is to achieve and maintain full and lasting equality, acceptance and social justice for all people in our diverse LGBT communities, inside and outside of California. Our mission includes advancing the health and well-being of LGBT Californians through direct healthcare service advocacy and education. Through electoral, advocacy, education and mobilization programs, we strive to create a broad and diverse alliance of LGBT people, educators, government officials, communities of color and faith, labor, business, and social justice communities to achieve our goals. www.eqca.org

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Asm. Chiu’s Equal Protection for All Families Passes First Committee

Yesterday, AB 960, authored by Assemblymember David Chiu (D—San Francisco) and co-sponsored by Equality California, passed out of the Assembly Judiciary Committee. The committee voted unanimously to pass the bill, which now moves to the Assembly Floor for a vote at the end of May. The bill would update California’s assisted reproduction laws to help ensure that all families are equally protected by law.

AB 960, the Equal Protection For All Families Act, co-sponsored by Equality California, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, and Our Family Coalition, ensures all couples using assisted reproduction are fully recognized as parents as intended. Specifically, AB 960 would allow unmarried people using assisted reproduction to be fully recognized as parents on the same terms as married parents. It would also remove the requirement from Family Law that couples must involve a doctor when using assisted reproduction in order to ensure that the donor is not presumed to be the parent. AB 960 also provides clear direction for how egg donors should be treated under California Law.

“All couples, including LGBT couples, should be protected by law and have access to the method of assisted reproduction of their choice to grow their families in California,” said Assemblymember Chiu. “AB 960 will help ensure that families formed in many ways are recognized and equally protected under law.”

“Thanks to Asm. David Chiu, if AB 960 is adopted, California’s Family Law will protect LGBT families, regardless of how they choose to conceive,” said Rick Zbur executive director for Equality California. “Families come in all different shapes and sizes, but they should be valued equally under the law. AB 960 corrects Family Law provisions so that LGBT families are respected and all parents can be fully recognized as intended by the state of California.”

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Equality California is California’s largest statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization focused on creating a fair and just society. Our mission is to achieve and maintain full and lasting equality, acceptance and social justice for all people in our diverse LGBT communities, inside and outside of California. Our mission includes advancing the health and well-being of LGBT Californians through direct healthcare service advocacy and education. Through electoral, advocacy, education and mobilization programs, we strive to create a broad and diverse alliance of LGBT people, educators, government officials, communities of color and faith, labor, business, and social justice communities to achieve our goals. www.eqca.org

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LGBT Disparities Reduction Act Passes First Committee

The Assembly Accountability and Administrative Review Committee on April 30 voted with bi-partisan support to pass Assemblymember David Chiu’s Assembly Bill 959, a bill that would move California public policy closer towards meeting the needs of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) communities.

“Excluding LGBT communities from statewide collected data keeps these individuals and the health disparities they face invisible to the state,” said Assemblymember David Chiu. “AB 959 will ensure that our LGBT communities count.”

AB 959, the LGBT Disparities Reduction Act, is sponsored by Equality California (EQCA) and requires specified state agencies relating to health and well-being to collect voluntary information about sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) in the regular course of collecting other types of demographic data. Further, AB 959 would require that the aggregated SOGI data that act as indicators of disparities be reported to the legislature and made publicly available.

The rallying call for improved data collection about LGBT communities has only grown louder in the last few years. The prevalence of this historical exclusion of LGBT communities has recently prompted a convening of more than hundred organizations, community leaders, healthcare experts and educators hosted by EQCA. A report of findings from the convening stated that long-term discrimination and social bias has disproportionately impacted LGBT communities, resulting in high rates of poverty, suicide, homelessness isolation, substance abuse, violence, police profiling and criminal convictions, and low rates of health insurance, among other findings. These issues are increasingly prevalent for LGBT youth and seniors, communities of color, and the transgender and undocumented communities.

“The LGBT Disparities Reduction Act is a necessity to make sure government programs and services are being utilized effectively and reaching the communities that need these services and programs the most,” said Rick Zbur, Equality California executive director. “To tackle the disparities in health and well-being that LGBT people face, we need to make sure our community is counted. Assemblymember Chiu’s bill is one of the LGBT community’s top priorities and will give us the tools to address these disparities head on.”

“We want to be able to trust our health care providers to know more than we do about our health, but without data to reveal larger population-level trends, it’s hard—for them and for us,” said Niko Kowell, Program Coordinator for transgender services at the Asian and Pacific Islander Wellness Center in San Francisco and a key witness in support of AB 959. “If we start collecting this data now, it might not help me, but it will help with the next generation of LGBT youth, especially transgender youth, in this country. I hope that one day, transgender, gay, lesbian, and bisexual people will be able to have the same experience as everyone else when we go to the doctor.”

AB 959 will be heard next in the Assembly Appropriations Committee in May.

Assemblymember David Chiu (D – San Francisco) is the Assistant Speaker Pro Tempore of the California State Assembly and represents the 17th Assembly District, which encompasses eastern San Francisco and the historic LGBT neighborhoods in the City.

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Equality California is California’s largest statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization focused on creating a fair and just society. Our mission is to achieve and maintain full and lasting equality, acceptance and social justice for all people in our diverse LGBT communities, inside and outside of California. Our mission includes advancing the health and well-being of LGBT Californians through direct healthcare service advocacy and education. Through electoral, advocacy, education and mobilization programs, we strive to create a broad and diverse alliance of LGBT people, educators, government officials, communities of color and faith, labor, business, and social justice communities to achieve our goals. www.eqca.org

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Bill that Supports LGBT Students Moves Through Committee

On April 22, AB 827, authored by Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell (D-Long Beach) and sponsored by Equality California, passed out of the Assembly Education Committee with a 6 to 1 vote. The bill would provide more support and a safer learning environment for LGBT students by requiring that schools provide annual training to teachers on various resources available to support LGBT students both at school and in the local community.

“Equality California sponsored AB 827, which is authored by Assemblymember O’Donnell, because this legislation will enable teachers and school administrators to foster a supportive school environment for all students, including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth,” said Rick Zbur executive director for Equality California. “LGBT students have a higher dropout rate than their straight peers and are four times more likely to attempt suicide than their straight peers. Assemblymember O’Donnell’s bill provides teachers and school administrators access to information that supports LGBT youth inside and outside the classroom.”

“Teachers have the power to build an educational environment that is truly welcoming to all students,” said Assemblymember O’Donnell. “This bill provides teachers with the information needed to better support LGBTQ students, creating a safer school environment that all students deserve.”

As outlined in Equality California’s Fair Share for Equality report, LGBT youth are at higher risk of homelessness and related health problems due to social stigma, family rejection, and bullying and violence in schools. LGBT youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide than their straight peers, and 40 percent of transgender youth have made a suicide attempt.

AB 827 will head to the Assembly Appropriations Committee where the legislation’s fiscal impact will be analyzed.

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Equality California is California’s largest statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization focused on creating a fair and just society. Our mission is to achieve and maintain full and lasting equality, acceptance and social justice for all people in our diverse LGBT communities, inside and outside of California. Our mission includes advancing the health and well-being of LGBT Californians through direct healthcare service advocacy and education. Through electoral, advocacy, education and mobilization programs, we strive to create a broad and diverse alliance of LGBT people, educators, government officials, communities of color and faith, labor, business, and social justice communities to achieve our goals. www.eqca.org

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Equality California Commends President Obama’s Statement Calling for an end to Conversion Therapy

Equality California, California’s largest statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, released the following statement from Rick Zbur, executive director for Equality California, on President Obama’s call for an end to conversion therapy.

“Equality California applauds and commends President Obama for his statement calling for an end to ‘conversion therapy,’ the damaging psychological abuse practiced by some mental health professionals who falsely claim that they can change a person’s sexual orientation or gender expression” said Equality California executive director Rick Zbur. “The nation’s leading mental health associations, including the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, and the American Counseling Association, have all issued position statements warning that there is no evidence that these treatments work, and that they may cause significant harm. That’s why in 2012, California became the first state in the country to protect LGBT youth by banning this harmful and dangerous practice, as a result of the groundbreaking adoption of Senate Bill 1172, authored by Senator and now Congressman Ted Lieu, and sponsored by Equality California, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Gaylesta, Mental Health America of Northern California, Lambda Legal and the Courage Campaign. We thank Congressman Lieu, Governor Brown, members of the California legislature and our co-sponsors for the groundbreaking leadership that led to the banning in California of the damaging attempts to change the orientation of LGBT young people. We agree with President Obama that this dangerous practice must end, and the team at Equality California stands ready to assist our sibling organizations in states outside California in the important goal of banning conversion therapy everywhere.”

California’s Senate Bill 1172, signed by Governor Brown, banned licensed therapists in California from attempting to change the sexual orientation or gender expression of patients under the age of 18. California became the first state in the country to protect LGBT youth by banning conversion therapy, and the legislation was used as a model in New Jersey and Washington, D.C. Several states are considering similar action this year.

For more information on conversion therapy, Senate Bill 1172, or to interview Rick Zbur, please contact Linsey Pecikonis at linsey@eqca.org or by calling 202-746-8426.

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Equality California is California’s largest statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization focused on creating a fair and just society. Our mission is to achieve and maintain full and lasting equality, acceptance and social justice for all people in our diverse LGBT communities, inside and outside of California. Our mission includes advancing the health and well-being of LGBT Californians through direct healthcare service advocacy and education. Through electoral, advocacy, education and mobilization programs, we strive to create a broad and diverse alliance of LGBT people, educators, government officials, communities of color and faith, labor, business, and social justice communities to achieve our goals.www.eqca.org

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Equality California Announces 2015 Legislative Package that Advances Expanded Mission

Equality California is pleased to announce the first eight items in its 2015 legislative package which would improve and advance equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Californians and their families. Equality California will announce additional legislation in the coming weeks.

In September of 2014, Equality California adopted a new mission statement which is to achieve full and lasting equality, acceptance and social justice for all people in our diverse LGBT communities, inside and outside of California. A key focus of our expanded mission is to address disparities in the health and well-being of LGBT Californians. This expanded mission guides this year’s legislative package.

“Collectively, these bills not only close some of the remaining gaps in California civil rights laws but also help advance EQCA’s new objectives which are to address the health and well-being of LGBT Californians,” said Rick Zbur, EQCA executive director. “Our Fair Share for Equality” report highlights that LGBT people face significant disparities in their health and well-being compared with the broader community. Our legislative program is focused on beginning to address these disparities.”

“Much attention has been paid to the Supreme Court and its upcoming decision on gay marriage, and rightfully so,” Assemblymember Susan Talamantes Eggman, chair of the California Legislative LGBT Caucus said. “However, we have to remember the difference between landmark decisions and finish lines. These bills are part of the continuing work to which we dedicate ourselves, and remember that the struggle for equality goes on. Health disparities, school inclusiveness and discrimination against transgender individuals are still pressing issues for the LGBT community. We hope to continue our work with EQCA in ensuring that California remains a leader in civil rights.”

The following bills are aimed at reducing disparities the LGBT community faces by requiring government agencies to collect important data on sexual orientation and gender identity, assisting teachers to combat bullying and harassment through training, addressing transgender health disparities by requiring out-of-state contractors give equal benefits to transgender employees, and updating sex education curriculum to include accurate information about LGBT families and relationships.

Reduce disparities in health and well-being for LGBT people through data collection: AB 959, authored by Assemblymember David Chiu, would require government agencies to collect data on sexual orientation and gender identity whenever additional demographic data is collected. Collecting this data is necessary to understand the extent to which LGBT people are experiencing disparities in health and well-being and whether government programs are reaching LGBT people in need of care and assistance.

Collect data about LGBT Californians through Covered California and Medi-Cal: In tandem with AB 959, EQCA is leading a coalition advocating that the paper and online applications for Covered California and Medi-Cal, which together will insure one-third of all Californians, includes voluntary questions about sexual orientation and gender identity.

Collecting this information is critical in healthcare settings to ensure LGBT individuals get the culturally competent health care they need.

Help teachers combat bullying and support LGBT youth: As proposed to be amended, AB 827, authored by Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell, would create a teacher training program that would aid teachers in identifying and assisting LGBT students who may need particular support in the coming out process or dealing with bias-based bullying. LGBT youth have a higher dropout rate than their straight peers and are four times more likely to attempt suicide than their straight peers. Therefore, AB 827 will give teachers the training they need to help LGBT students.

Require out-of-state companies who contract with the state of California to provide insurance benefits to transgender employees: SB 703, authored by Senator Mark Leno, prohibits state agencies from doing business with companies that fail to offer transgender employees the same health care coverage and benefits they offer all other workers. This would reduce disparities in health care coverage for transgender people. EQCA is co-sponsoring SB 703 with the National Center for Lesbian Rights and Transgender Law Center.

Update existing law to ensure students understand the various kinds of families and relationships: AB329, authored by Assemblymember Shirley Weber, would update and strengthen existing law to ensure that students receive sex education that is accurate, comprehensive, medically accurate, age-appropriate and inclusive. This bill will teach students about LGBT people and their families and will lead to greater understanding and acceptance of LGBT youth and families. Additionally, the bill will update curriculum on prevention of sexually transmitted infections, HIV, and pregnancy. EQCA is co-sponsoring AB 329 with American Civil Liberties Union of California, California Latinas for Reproductive Justice, Forward Together, and Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California.

“California has the most comprehensive pro-equality civil rights protections of any state in the country, but gaps remain. These bills will address some of the gaps that still exist by providing important new protections,” Zbur continued.

End discrimination against transgender jurors: AB 87, authored by Assemblymember Mark Stone, would prohibit discrimination against transgender jurors in the jury selection process in California courts. The bill also makes clear that jury selection discrimination based on ethnicity, age, genetic information, or disability is prohibited as well.

Protect all parents equally: AB 960, authored by Assemblymember David Chiu, would modernize California’s assisted reproduction laws to protect families using assisted reproduction. Current law puts intended parents using this method of reproduction and their children at risk due to discrepancies in parental rights. EQCA is co-sponsoring AB 960 with the National Center for Lesbian Rights and Our Family Coalition.

Ensure that private organizations that discriminate do not benefit from a state employee charitable giving program: AB 1050, authored by Assemblymember Evan Low, would require that all charities eligible for donations through a state employee giving program are screened to ensure that they do not discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Over the past 17 years, EQCA has changed the legislative landscape for LGBT people — from a state with extremely limited protections for LGBT people to the state with the most comprehensive LGBT civil rights protections in the country. With a total of 102 bills passed prior to the 2015 session, passing these eight would bring that total to 110, continuing EQCA’s record-setting legislative agenda.

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Equality California is California’s largest statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization focused on creating a fair and just society. Our mission is to achieve and maintain full and lasting equality, acceptance and social justice for all people in our diverse LGBT communities, inside and outside of California. Our mission includes advancing the health and well-being of LGBT Californians through direct healthcare service advocacy and education. Through electoral, advocacy, education and mobilization programs, we strive to create a broad and diverse alliance of LGBT people, educators, government officials, communities of color and faith, labor, business, and social justice communities to achieve our goals. www.eqca.org

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America’s First Privately-Owned LGBTQ Center Opens In West Hollywood

The owner of three of West Hollywood’s most fashionable men’s retail shops announced this week he will close one in order to convert it into America’s first privately owned LGBTQ Center. On Thursday, February 26, the LA Jock Sport retail shop at 7990 Santa Monica Blvd will become “Home”, a privately-funded help center serving the community and its allies by offering free support – including legal, mental health and vocational services – to those in need. It will provide meeting spaces for groups working to advance LGBTQ causes, as well as free wifi, computer access, a screening room, and research facilities. It will also house a museum chronicling the LGBTQ community and its struggles though out history. Most significantly, “Home” will not seek any public donations. All monetary funds will come from local shop owner, Nir Zilberman.
“I created ‘Home’ as a space where strong minded individuals can meet and work with other strong minded individuals to make the world a better place for all, gay and straight,” proclaims Zilberman. “It’s time we wake up to the many issues plaguing our society and take action here and now.”
As the child of two Holocaust survivors, Zilberman always had plans to create a place to help people, but it wasn’t until he made headlines during the Sochi Olympics that he realized the time to do it was now.
It all began with a window display in his LA Jock Sport shop featuring a mannequin dressed as a Jewish Holocaust victim. The uniform included a pink triangle, the badge worn to identify homosexual prisoners of concentration camps. Zilberman meant it as a political statement to highlight the similarities between Hitler and Russia’s Putin. He hoped it would encourage the gay community – especially Millennials – to protest against Russia, but he was disappointed. “I didn’t realize how complacent we had become,” he says. “We are living in a world where it is a crime to be gay in 78 countries! This is no time to be complacent, people!”
Zilberman accuses the gay community of forgetting its past struggles and the heroes who suffered for the rights the community enjoys today. “There was a time, not so long ago, when doctors refused to touch, let alone treat, homosexuals who were infected with HIV and AIDS.”
Converting the athletic retail shop into “Home” took over six months to complete. In addition to its support services, “Home” is developing a variety of programs designed to remind all of the rich LGBTQ history and instill a new sense of community among gays and allies. Seminars will include “Living as Transgender”, “Prep and Condom Use” and “What’s Next”, a class designed to help individuals realize their life’s potential. There will be political and social groups including one for teens called “LGBTQ Teens Are Our Tomorrow”.
“We aim to build a bridge that spans the distance between our present situation and our vision of a better world,” says Zilberman. “The beauty of the bridge is that once it is in place, anyone can cross it.”
The ultimate goal is that Zilberman’s “Home” will inspire others to build more ‘Homes’ like it in cities throughout the country and, eventually, abroad. “We can’t rely on the city to help us anymore. There is too much red tape and corruption.”
He concedes it would be nice if a billionaire like Bill Gates were to step forward, but says we can’t rely on the wealthy either. “I’m not rich,” he clarifies. “I’m simply fed up. And I believe everyday people can change the world.”
For more information on Home visit https://www.facebook.com/wehohome.

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Equality California Endorses Three LGBT Champions for West Hollywood City Council

Equality California today announced endorsements of Hon. John D’Amico, Hon. John Heilman and Joe Guardarrama for three at-large seats on the West Hollywood City Council. EQCA endorses LGBT candidates in local races who have exhibited exceptional leadership and ongoing commitment to LGBT equality and social justice.

Currently serving as Mayor, John D’Amico has served on the West Hollywood City Council since 2011 and has been an active member of the community for 15 years. Former Chair of the West Hollywood Planning Commission, D’Amico has made affordable housing for LGBT seniors and support and safety of transgender people top priorities. A fighter for those with HIV/AIDS, D’Amico served on the West Hollywood Human Services Commission and the Disabilities Advisory Board in addition to serving on the L.A. County HIV Health Services Commission and L.A. County Commission on HIV Prevention and Planning.

“Mayor D’Amico has a vision of West Hollywood as a place where LGBT people can come to invent their lives, and a place where LGBT elders can live as part of the community they helped create,” said Rick Zbur, executive director of EQCA. “He has earned our proud endorsement because of his exemplary leadership, hard work and fierce advocacy as a member of the city council.”

Mayor Pro Tempore John Heilman has served the residents of West Hollywood since first being elected in 1984. He was a key leader in the city’s incorporation and in helping to make West Hollywood one of the most progressive cities in the world.

The longest serving openly gay elected official in the United States, Heilman helped draft West Hollywood’s landmark ordinance prohibiting discrimination on the basis of HIV/AIDS, among the first in the country. He was also instrumental in making West Hollywood the first city to legally recognize domestic partnerships in 1985. More recently, Heilman was a founding member of what is now the Victory Fund and helped establish West Hollywood’s Transgender Advisory Board, the first in the world, and the West Hollywood Lesbian and Gay Advisory Board. A dedicated volunteer for A.P.L.A., Heilman has participated in almost every AIDSWalk since its inception.

“LGBT people throughout the world look to West Hollywood as a model for what is possible, and Councilmember Heilman has led at every step for the last 30 years,” said Zbur. “He continues to inspire and find new ways to demonstrate what LGBT equality and community can look like. We are excited to endorse him for another term.”

Joe Guardarrama has lived in West Hollywood for 15 years. A dedicated leader, Guardarrama served on the city’s Planning Commission for seven years and also served on the Business License Commission and Campaign Finance Reform Committee.

The son of Cuban immigrants and a government ethics attorney, Joe Guardarrama was a member of the board of directors of EQCA for several years and also served as Vice President. He regularly volunteers his time for social justice causes.

“Joe Guardarrama’s candidacy is built on ethics and compassion, and ensuring West Hollywood stays accessible for all LGBT people will take both,” said Zbur. “He is keenly aware of the challenges the city faces, and we’re confident in his ability to meet them. That’s why we’re enthused to endorse him.”

The Equality California Political Action Committee endorses viable candidates who have a proven track record of supporting equal rights and legal protections for LGBT Californians and who are committed to advancing these goals in their capacity as elected officials. Election Day is March 3, 2015.

Equality California is California’s largest statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization focused on creating a fair and just society. Our mission is to achieve and maintain full and lasting equality, acceptance, and social justice for all people in our diverse LGBT communities, inside and outside of California. Our mission includes advancing the health and well being of LGBT Californians through direct healthcare service advocacy and education. Through electoral, advocacy, education and mobilization programs, we strive to create a broad and diverse alliance of LGBT people, educators, government officials, communities of color and faith, labor, business, and social justice communities to achieve our goals. www.eqca.org

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