By Reid Nakamura Emiko Kenderes has always seen herself as a bridge builder—someone who hears the stories of others, works to understand their experiences, and makes room for their voices. Even long before she started working as a mental health clinician at the Los Angeles LGBT Center. “I felt like I was drawn to become a therapist,” she says. Coming from a conservative religious background, Kenderes first pursued a career in counseling and therapy with the intention of helping others navigate their own paths to healing. After leaving a 13-year marriage to an evangelical Christian pastor, Kenderes came out and…
Author: Reid Nakamura
By Kaiyti Duffy, Chief Medical Officer, Los Angeles LGBT Center To schedule an mpox vaccination appointment, visit myturn.ca.gov The CDC recently estimated a 35% likelihood of an mpox resurgence this year, based on national vaccination rates. But on Friday, May 5, the Chicago-based LGBT healthcare provider Howard Brown Health announced that seven cases of mpox had been diagnosed at their clinics since mid-April. It’s too soon to declare a new public health emergency, but if you are at risk for mpox and have not been fully vaccinated, now is the time to do so. The best way to stop the…
Actress and model Pamela Anderson was honored at the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s annual Gala on Saturday for her resilience and unwavering commitment to LGBTQ+ activism throughout her career. Anderson, known for her iconic role in “Baywatch” and her recently released memoir Love, Pamela, used the platform to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and call for continued progress in the fight for equality. Anderson was presented with the Center’s Vanguard Award by the Center’s Phillip Picardi and Mariana Marroquin, who highlighted Anderson’s impressive career and extensive philanthropic work, making it clear that her dedication to the LGBTQ+ community runs deep. “When…
Actress and activist Keke Palmer took the stage at the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s annual Gala on Saturday, accepting the Center’s Vanguard Award for her achievements in the entertainment industry and for her commitment to using her platform to uplift people from marginalized communities. Palmer was presented the award by Queer Eye star Karamo Brown, who called her “a woman I deeply admire” in his introduction. Palmer reciprocated his admiration, shouting out Brown’s trailblazing appearance on The Real World as a source of inspiration. “You owning who you are as a Black man on national television gave more nuance to…
The Los Angeles LGBT Center’s annual Gala made its grand, in-person return this year, with Joe Hollendoner using his first appearance as CEO to address supporters and showcase the organization’s commitment to providing essential resources and support for the LGBTQ+ community. Hollendoner, who stepped into the role of CEO last year, opened his speech by remarking on the unique power of the Center’s comprehensive approach to “caring for the most vulnerable in our community when they need us most.” “The Center’s masterful weaving of direct services, public education, and policy work creates a safety net to ensure that no one…
In 1967, just weeks after undercover police officers violently brutalized and arrested dozens of people for the crime of kissing in public to celebrate the New Year, hundreds of Angelenos came together for a demonstration at the Black Cat Tavern in Silverlake. The peaceful protest, organized by a coalition of LGBTQ+ community groups, made history as one of the first known demonstrations in defense of LGBTQ+ rights. Demonstrations like the one at the Black Cat Tavern, and the Compton’s Cafeteria riots in San Francisco and the Stonewall Uprising in New York, formed the basis for the LGBTQ+ movement that we…
By Reid Nakamura The Los Angeles LGBT Center kicked off Black History Month this year with the in-person return of The Future Is Black, a free community event to celebrate Black artists and address some of the pressing issues that face Black members of the LGBTQ+ community. Themed after Beyoncé’s Grammy-winning album Renaissance—which itself drew inspiration from the Black and queer artists who pioneered the genre of dance music—the event was hosted by journalists Tre’vell Anderson and jarrett hill of the FANTI podcast and featured an appearance by Beyoncé’s “Break My Soul” collaborator Big Freedia. Freedia was honored with the…
By Reid Nakamura In January 2020, residents of South Los Angeles, community leaders, and representatives from other local organizations gathered in Leimert Park to celebrate the opening of Center South, the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s newest location. Three years and a world-altering pandemic later, Center South reopened its doors for a third anniversary block party. With food, performances, and tours of the facility, the event served as a reintroduction to the community that Center South has worked tirelessly to serve. “Seeing people from the neighborhood coming back to celebrate and reconnect in a way that we haven’t been able to…
By Reid Nakamura Fridays at the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Youth Center have been dubbed “Pizza Fridays” thanks to the generosity of Beverly Grove eatery, Bobby’s Pizzeria. In partnership with Shrine Trust since 2020, the pizzeria has donated hundreds of pizzas to help feed LGBTQ+ youth. “Youth literally line up each Friday for their favorite slice,” said Orville Ranglin, Youth Services Program Supervisor. “It’s a fun way to bring together and help feed the youth, many of whom are unhoused or without a caregiver. And it’s a nice treat for our staff who work so hard to serve them.” The…
By Reid Nakamura Thanksgiving made a grand in-person return to the Los Angeles LGBT Center this year, with LGBTQ+ youth and seniors coming together to share a meal at the Anita May Rosenstein Campus for the first time since the pandemic. Guest ages ranged from 18 to 98 years old. “I’m so proud of what we were able to do the last few years delivering meals to our seniors, but it wasn’t the same as being together in person and getting to connect with our community. So, for me, this is really special,” said Kiera Pollock, Director of Senior Services…