Events
LGBTQ asylum seekers: Journey complicated by restrictive policies
The event, to be held at HEART WeHo on December 22 at 8 PM, will feature an outstanding panel of affected people from the Latino community
LOS ANGELES – The mere fact that LGBTQ people can claim refugee status and seek safe haven in this country based on dangers they face in their home country by anti-LGBTQ forces and laws was a hard fought, massive victory for LGBTQ refugees and one that has only been recently enacted.
In about 70 countries same-sex relations are criminalized and, in six countries, punishable by death. Many LGBTQ refugees and asylum seekers have endured years of exclusion, discrimination, and even violence by family, community, and authorities before being forced to flee home.
Many LGBTQ+ refugees and asylum seekers experience trauma inflicted by circumstances which led to them fleeing their nations of origin. That can have long-lasting mental health effects, including a range of mental health challenges, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Obtaining asylum status or permanent residency in the United States can also be a traumatizing experience as the process can take years of uncertainty.
Pew Research recently noted that since President Joe Biden took office in January 2021, his administration has acted on a number of fronts to reverse Trump Administration-era restrictions on immigration to the United States.
The steps included plans to boost refugee admissions, preserving deportation relief for unauthorized immigrants who came to the U.S. as children and not enforcing the “public charge” rule that denies green cards to immigrants who might use public benefits like Medicaid.
Scripps News journalist John Mone reported that the United Nations World Refugee Agency that by the end of 2022, close to 110 million people were forcibly displaced around the globe due to violence, persecution or human rights violations.
The Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law, in its June 2022 report noted:
Only 37 countries formally grant asylum to individuals due to a well-founded fear of persecution on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity (SOGI).
Studies show that a main obstacle to seeking asylum appears to be lack of awareness that sexual orientation and gender identity constitute viable grounds for an asylum claim.
- Research shows that the process of applying for asylum can itself have deleterious effects on LGBTQI+ persons. One recent study found that asylum applicants experience negative mental
and physical health outcomes and economic insecurity as they wait in a precarious state of uncertainty. - A number of studies show how the requirements for a successful asylum claim require that LGBTQI+ migrants “come out” to present themselves as a sexual or gender minority, but do so in a way that is “credible” and “legible” to asylum adjudicators. One study attributed the cause of most denied SOGI claims to “disbelief of sexual orientation” or “lack of credibility,” which are typically predicated on heteronormative and Western conceptions of sexuality and expectations of queer lifestyles often rooted in stereotypes or prejudice.
- A number of studies point to the challenge posed by adjudicators who may conflate sex with sexuality to the extent that sexual behavior forms a key part of the claimant’s narrative about
their sexual orientation. Applicants without sexual or romantic histories are therefore routinely discredited. - “Proving” one’s identity is particularly challenging for transgender asylum seekers. Adjudicators often rely on outdated medicalized notions of what it means to be transgender in which, to be deemed “valid” and “real,” transgender people must desire and seek out medical intervention.
- Bisexual claimants are often denied asylum due to understandings of bisexuality based on stereotypes, that is, the notion that bisexual migrants can simply choose partners of the opposite sex.
- Documentation of country conditions is critical evidence to demonstrate a fear of persecution.
- The experience of “coming out under the gun” in the course of applying for asylum can be actively retraumatizing for vulnerable migrants.
The changes reportedly under discussion by the Biden administration include placing a cap on asylum seekers, expanding detention and deportation of asylum seekers, creating a Title 42-like policy that would expel those entering the U.S. without the chance to ask for asylum, raising the bar for asylum seekers to prove the danger they are facing, codifying aspects of the asylum ban such as a third-country transit ban for those seeking protection at the border, and restricting asylum based on how asylum seekers enter the country.
These policies will result in many people who could otherwise be eligible for asylum being returned to the very danger they are trying to escape — in direct contradiction of federal and international law.
Then there is also the fiscal reality for LGBTQ+ refugees and asylum seekers. To work legally in the country based on a Pending Asylum Application, asylum seekers are allowed apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) known as a Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.
However, this can only be done in the time frame of 150 days after the asylum application has been filed. Many asylum seekers arrive with extremely limited funds and in many cases outside of charitable assistance by organizations, churches or private individuals, find themselves supporting themselves illegally, and in the cases of LGBTQ+ refugees and asylum seekers, this can include sex work which has the potential to lead to human trafficking.
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The Los Angeles Blade teamed up with The Latino Outreach and Understanding Division (LOUD) to host a Holiday Party celebrating the journey’s of LGBTQ Asylum Seekers, DACA recipients and undocumented folks.
The event, to be held at HEART WeHo on December 22 at 8 PM, will feature an outstanding panel of affected people from the Latino community who will share their stories.
Gretta Soto Moreno, a Mexican trans woman who is an asylum seeker, seeking safety from the persecution she experienced there. Jesus Paizano is a 22-year-old Venezuelan asylum seeker who is deeply passionate about immigration equality and justice. Hans Vompakerth an undocumented 23-year-old gay man determined to find his American dream. Laura Morales Garcia, a DACA recipient who arrived in this country at 2-years-old and who is fighting to strengthen the rights of people in her category.
The panel will be moderated by Edwin Millan, a native of Lima-Peru. Edwin is the International President of The Latino Outreach and Understanding Division (LOUD), an affinity group of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which addresses the social and health disparities that threaten the Latino Community.
By organizing events like the holiday party, LOUD, an affinity group of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, establishes a worldwide reach and earns recognition as one of the most influential Latino advocacy organizations.
Gretta Soto Moreno’s journey is a testament to the hardships faced by asylum seekers and the struggles within the U.S. detention system. A transgender woman fleeing years of torment—enduring assaults and threats in Mexico, her home country —sadly found herself suffering similar abuses upon reaching the U.S.
Mexico was not only violent, it was isolating and traumatizing. It’s a hard place to be your authentic self.
But there were happy moments, like the office Christmas party where she bravely presented herself as Gretta, stunning a Catholic colleague who Moreno says had no idea. “She was shocked because she noticed this ‘pretty woman’ managing the party; I was shocked too because when she realized it was me, she was ecstatic,” Moreno said. “Her reaction was so unexpected and it made me feel special.”
She suffered the passing of her biggest champion when her grandmother passed away. She had been the most protective and supportive force in her life.. “When she died, I felt so alone and lost.. She always knew I was different that the rest of the kids but to her that made me very special.”
Realizing she was alone and that her life would never improve in Mexico, she chose to seek asylum in the U.S.. But, navigating immigration was full of challenges.
Moreno’s alcohol-related arrest and conviction compounded her plea for asylum. And as a trans person having to address past incarceration, things became very complicated, a story echoing the plight of many trans individuals in similar circumstances. “My alcohol convictions made it very hard to convince the immigration judge that my asylum claim was legitimate; and that is really hard because as a trans person, being believed or having your truth questioned is really traumatizing,” she said.
Jesus Paizano is a quick study who rarely misses a detail so, when he sets his sights on something, he confidently goes for it and there’s nothing or no one in his path who can stop him.
“My dad worked with the government of Hugo Chavez, and later president Nicolas Maduro. But he had a dispute with Diosdado Cabello, who is also one of Venezuela’s highest diplomats. My father refused to follow arbitrary orders and in response to that he was politically ruined and removed from office.”
Paizano witnessed first hand the impact that had on his father and his entire family, as the norms of privilege, peace, position, possessions and their sense of safety were taken from them.
Venezuela since 2013, when Jesus was only 12-years-old, has slowly descended into extreme political violence and economic disaster that resulted in a humanitarian crisis and unprecedented exodus: more than 7 million people have fled.
In his teenage years, Paizano realized that his chances of success were very limited and the realization that being gay in a very closeted, macho culture was another strike against him. In fact he knows many young gay men who were victims of antigay violence, some of whom took their lives or who simply disappeared.
Determined to save himself, he became one of the more than 1 million Venezuelan asylum seekers. But the promise of a brighter future outweighed the pain of separation. And, besides, he was young and “never thought of it as goodbye.”
The journey to the U.S. border near San Diego was not as scary as actually crossing into the U.S.. Ever pragmatic, when he saw the police he decided to immediately surrender and begin to make his asylum plea. For the next six months he was routed from detention facility to detention facility.
“Detention was scary at times and I got very sick and also had Covid, but there was something about it that was rewarding,” he said. “There were other gay people there and some trans people and we watched out for one another.”
Eventually, he was connected to a sponsor in Los Angeles who sent him a ticket to LAX. “They picked me up and the first thing we did was go to The Abbey and then to the house. I had never felt such relief in my life.”
Paizano encountered a landscape starkly different from his homeland. The open embrace of his LGBTQ identity stands in stark contrast to the limitations he faced back home.
He says there is a dangerous gap in an immigrant’s ability to get justice through the ordinary court system. He noted “the difference between the rights an immigrant has and those of an American citizen has sets up a gap that can be used to control or manipulate and even exploit people.”
“I love this country and when I become a U.S. citizen, I will honor that as a privilege bestowed by one of the few countries where democracy still survives. But it has to do better to protect the rights of immigrants who are already here,” Paizano said.
Hans Vompakerth is a 23-year-old gay man from Medellin, Colombia and despite being undocumented, he says he has no fear telling his story.
“There are thousands of people like me and they do not have bad things happen to them, so why would I have to keep it a secret?”
“There were two occasions in which I entered the US near Tijuana. The first time they returned me to the Mexican side of the border,” he says. A year passed and he tried again.
”They captured me and processed me like before, but this time, instead of returning me to the Mexican side, they took me and a group of people in a white government car and left us in the middle of nowhere on the American side! We were left to set about looking for civilization.”
Vompakerth’s determination to come to the U.S. seems to come from his abiding respect and admiration he has for his hard working mother. They are so close that the only person who knew he was going to leave Colombia was her.
“I did it for her. She worked so hard to hold the family together and I guess, as the oldest son, I wanted to make life easier for her and provide for her, my 3 sisters and my younger brother,” he says.
Last March, however, the family suffered tragedy. His younger brother, 20, left home unannounced. After a few days of constant search and worry, the family was informed that his body had washed ashore on a nearby island.
“I felt powerless. I wasn’t able to return or do anything except help with all the expenses,” he said with heartache. “I had to take some comfort knowing that my sisters were there to take care of her while she grieved.”
Despite family pressures, in the U.S., Vompakerth says he has a newfound sense of life that contrasts starkly with the dark challenges he faced back home.
“I feel I am much more respected and accepted by everyone. I feel much more resilient and happy and that has made it possible for me to get through everything. When my brother died, I grieved by working harder and using the money to cover funeral expenses. Everyday, I spent hours on WhatsApp with my mom and I still do.”
So, it wasn’t violence and homophobia that motivated Hans to leave Colombia. “I was never a victim of discrimination or violence in Colombia,” he says. “I fled a situation where there was a scarcity of everything, no resources in general- not even enough food. I lived in constant economic turmoil, even my own health was affected. There were no jobs.
“I didn’t experience violence or homophobia until I set foot in Mexico and had contact with immigration authorities from the U.S.,” he said. “They were awful to me.”
But since arriving in Los Angeles, Hans says he hasn’t experienced discrimination or violence.
“Moving to this country,” he declares, “has changed my life. “Living in the US has helped me pull myself up, to be disciplined, to be sensitive, to learn more, to care more about myself and to help everyone I care about.”
Laura Morales Garcia was born in Durango, Mexico and found her way to Los Angeles, CA at the young age of 2 years old, arriving with her undocumented family.
She has spent a lifetime advocating for DACA recipients and is one of the leading experts on the issue and a noted advocate. She graduated from Los Angeles High School and was the first in her family to attend college, obtaining her degree in Clinical-Psychology.
Garcia is devoted to public service and works to educate high school students on the LGBTQ+ community.
She is an AHF Ambassador and AHF Pharmacy Representative & Community Liaison for prevention and care of HIV.
Events
OUTSpoken Verse comes to WeHo’s The Wild
Poetry, music, & more come to West Hollywood’s The Wild, presented by Tod Hallman, Joseph Soto
Queer poetry is well and alive in Los Angeles as OUTSpoken Verse, an evening of poetry, music, open mic and more, comes to The Wild in West Hollywood.
Taking place on Wednesday, April 30, the evening will begin with a writing workshop from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., with an open mic session for the remainder of the evening. There will also be a special book reading and signing by author Manuel Betancourt.
The Wild, the little club that could, continues to make a name for itself and despite its compact size, hosts a variety of dynamic events that represent many under-sung facets of the queer community. Tod Hallman and Joseph Soto — the masterminds behind many of these events — are on a mission to fill the venue by expanding on the view of who a typical WeHo club go-er is.
OUTSpoken is hosted by Brian Sonia-Wallace, who served as the City of West Hollywood’s 4th Poet Laureate — will highlight the thriving, queer spoken, word L.A. community.
Tongue Tied, the last event hosted by Sonia-Wallace, featured some of the top queer poets and authors from around the nation. The evening was hosted at Precinct DTLA to a standing room only crowd. One of the only positives from the nation’s social and political climate towards queer folk is the fire that it has ignited as art and literature continue to be the community’s most powerful weapons.
We talked to promoters Hallman and Soto about OUTSpoken and how The Wild continues to represent the diversity of queer Los Angeles.
How did you get into the nightlife scene?
Hallman: My background is rooted in fashion and fashion event production—curating experiences where creativity, style, and storytelling intersect. (Soto) I come from a background of creating brands and shaping how people experience them. As a creative, I specialize in branding, marketing, and experiential activations, with a focus on building authentic connections between people, ideas, and culture. (Tod/Joseph) Believe it or not, we’re neighbors, and through casual conversations while walking our dogs, we realized we shared a passion for building community. That’s how Viberocity was born: out of a desire to create intentional, welcoming spaces where art, fashion, culture, and self-expression collide, and where everyone feels part of something meaningful.
What do you love most about queer nightlife in Los Angeles?
Hallman: Los Angeles is a city defined by its diversity, and that’s especially true within its queer community. The beauty of queer nightlife here is that it holds space for so many different stories, identities, and creative expressions. Every night offers an opportunity to celebrate that diversity.
What sets The Wild apart from other venues in West Hollywood?
Hallman: As event producers, Joseph and I recognize that what truly sets The Wild apart is the communication and support we receive from its owner, Bryan Patrick Franklin. Bryan understands the importance of offering diverse, inclusive events to the community. Some of the experiences we bring to the space include Laugh Out Proud, Purely Wild, The Last Disco, and OUTSpoken Verse. That level of collaboration and support is rare, and it’s why The Wild feels like home for so many of these events.
What is most important to The Wild in putting on an evening?
Hallman: The Wild truly understands that in today’s world, it’s not enough to simply host an event… you have to create an experience that resonates emotionally with people. Every Viberocity event we produce here is built around that idea: that when you bring together intention, creativity, and community, something meaningful happens. Events like Purely Wild grew directly from listening to what the community was asking for: a vibrant, safe space where people could enjoy crafted mocktails and connect without the expectation of alcohol. The Wild helped us bring that vision to life.
What are the biggest challenges in promoting nightlife in WeHo? How have you overcome those challenges?
Hallman: When I first moved to West Hollywood in the mid-80s, the Rainbow District had about six bars.
Soto: Now, with more than 17 bars and countless event options, plus the rise of social media, people have limitless choices every night. As event producers, it challenges us to go deeper. When you create something with real heart, the right audience finds you, and they come back.
You’re bringing poetry to WeHo with OUTSpoken Verse. What can attendees expect from the evening?
Soto: OUTSpoken Verse is truly one-of-a-kind because no two events are ever the same. Every night, there’s an electric unpredictability that makes the experience so special. Our core group of OG poets anchors the evening, but it’s the new voices, the open mic participants, who bring a freshness and vitality to the space. It’s a celebration of raw expression, courage, and artistry. Attendees can expect to leave feeling inspired, moved, and connected to something greater.
What do you love most about open mic nights?
Hallman: Coming from a background in acting and dance, I find it thrilling to see artists step into the spotlight, many for the very first time. Providing a space for them to express themselves creatively is deeply rewarding. [Joseph] I love the spontaneity of it. Every artist brings their own style and energy to the mic, making each OUTSpoken night a completely unique experience.
Why are poetry and music in queer culture so important right now?
Hallman: With everything happening in the world—and within the LGBTQ+ community in particular—spaces for expression, solidarity, and support are more important than ever. Poetry and music allow us to share our stories, our emotions, and our resilience in powerful ways.
Manuel Betancourt is stopping by OUTSpoken Verse. What do you love most about his work?
Soto: We rely on the expertise of our OUTSpoken host, Brian Sonia-Wallace, to bring us artists who are a great fit for the evening. When Brian introduced us to Manuel Betancourt’s work, we were excited. His voice and storytelling are a perfect addition to the energy of the night, and we’re thrilled attendees will have the opportunity to hear him read and purchase copies of his book, Hello Stranger.
What else can we expect from your events at The Wild in the future?
Soto: While we can’t reveal too much just yet, we’re working on a large-scale activation that will bring a wide range of experiences together to celebrate culture and community in a new way.
What is your message to the WeHo nightlife community?
Hallman & Soto: Our message is simple: we see you, we celebrate you and we’re here to create spaces where you can truly belong. In a city with endless options, it means something special when people choose to come together to share music, creativity and connection at one of our events.
OUTSpoken Verse is produced by Viberocity partners, Tod Hallman and Joseph Soto.
Events
New ‘Party with a Purpose’ lesbian brunch to be hosted at Sorry Not Sorry
Lez Brunch is coming to Sorry Not Sorry L.A. on May 17 with bottomless mimosas and games
Jessica Wagstaff is the founder of Homology L.A. and most recently partnered up with The Queer 26, a nonprofit platform for QTBIPOC creatives, to produce Lez Brunch. The brunch will be hosted on May 17, from noon to 4p.m., at Sorry Not Sorry. The 4,000 sq-ft event space is a well-respected wine-forward, cocktail bar in Los Angeles that also hosts lots of other LGBTQ events, drag shows and more, throughout the year.
Wagstaff believes it is important to not only host this event, but also to make it as safe and inclusive as possible. They have also incorporated a community outreach aspect to this event by giving back to their community by donating proceeds to non-profit and mutual aid organizations.
Everything down to the ticketing site, is queer and inclusive.
“The ticketing website allows attendees to enter in their name which may differ from their legal name, which I think is a really important aspect right off the top of the bat, they know we care about who they are right at the start of their experience with us,” said Wagstaff. “In fact the ticketing website is the only platform that is queer owned and operated in the world, it’s called Sickening Events. So we know that it’s also benefiting our community.”
The performers are also part of the LGBTQ+ community and Wagstaff believes that by having a line-up of performers and entertainers who mirror and represent the community, it allows people to feel safe, heard and seen.
“I’ve always been very passionate about having a lineup that directly mirrors our community from BIPOC, trans, queer, non-binary, etc,” said Wagstaff.
Wagstaff is also a licensed security guard who says safety and security is on the top of their priorities when it comes to hosting these events.
“I will have a code of conduct signage and training at the front door which will be promoted by wait staff, restaurant management, plus all Lez Brunch talent and staff,” said Wagstaff.
The event will be hosted by Ruthie Alcaide who is a TV personality who has been a contestant on The Real World: Hawaii, a finalist on Battle of the Sexes and All Stars 1, and she also competed on Battle of the Sexes 2, The Gauntlet 2, and The Duel II.
Wagstaff is also working in collaboration with Camille Ora-Nicole, founder of The Queer 26 and multi-hyphenated creative.
Ora-Nicole has been hosting events and collaborating with queer and trans BIPOC creatives across Los Angeles to bring more visibility to those marginalized communities. Her and Wagstaff agree that queer joy is the biggest form of resistance and that hosting these events during this politically polarizing time is much needed for survival and for the people in these communities to have the space to heal, gather, celebrate and network.
To learn more about The Queer 26, visit their website.
Events
Los Angeles Blade’s Community Series kicks off with panel
First panel in series brought in community leaders, politicians and other notable figures
The Los Angeles Blade kicked off its “Free Community Series” in partnership with Roar
Resistance, for a rousing discussion panel titled “Time To Get Informed, Time To
Resist” at The Abbey in West Hollywood last Saturday.
The event featured a panel of notable figures in the city’s government and queer
activism circles who spoke about how to organize and protect queer rights in the current
political climate.
The panel was moderated by Roar Resistance’s Michael Ferrera, and included West
Hollywood Mayor Chelsea Byers, former WeHo Mayor and queer activist Abbe Land,
Equality California Communications Director Jorge Reyes Salinas, Political Vice
President of the Stonewall Democratic Club, Nico Brancolini and NAACP LGBTQ
Committee Chair Chris Baldwin.
The discussion kicked off with a call by Abbe Land for participants to stay focused on
the issues that matter, despite the flood of new developments constantly coming from
the White House.
“I do think it was designed that way to keep us crazed, to keep us unfocused, to keep us
in a state of panic and fear,” said Land. “We have to look at what is happening and
where is our lane and where are we going to focus our energies and have trust that
there are other people that are focusing in other areas that need focus.”
Each of the panelists then described how the first few months of the current
administration has impacted the work they’re doing in the community and the dangers
they see on the horizon.
“I have been deeply disturbed by the elite capitulation that occurred this time around,”
Brancolini said, noting the big law firms and media corporations that have acceded to
“unconstitutional orders” and rushed to make settlements with Trump and his family.
“Frankly, I’ve been disappointed by a lot of the national Democratic leadership. I think
they treated a 1.5% plurality victory on Trump’s behalf as if it was a huge blowout, and I
think that’s a big mistake,” said Land.
Reyes Salinas pointed out that a one of the most vulnerable communities right now is
trans youth.
“The target is on their backs and the backs of their families and providers,” he said.
“Here in California, we have laws that protect them and we keep improving those, but
there’s still so much fear, and it’s important for everyone to be able understand that
these are children’s lives at stake here.”
But while there was agreement that there is much at risk at the current moment, Chris
Baldwin said this was a time to build stronger coalitions.
“I don’t live my life in fear. I am a Black woman born in the 60s, at a time when my father
when we traveled to Alabama had to step across the street to let a white man pass,”
she said. “We will get through this. Black people have lived through much worse.
Welcome to the civil rights movement. We are going to experience setbacks but we will
keep pushing forward.”
Later, Baldwin invited attendees to join the NAACP, noting that it is an interracial
organization whose membership is open to all. Chelsea Byers echoed that sentiment, noting that this moment presents an opportunity for a new generation of leaders to imagine new ways to solve society’s big problems.
“We know that people are under-resourced. We need to make education accessible to
people bring them on board, help them understand these processes and meet them
where they’re at,” she said. “We need to bring people on board. We can’t go back to
what was, because it wasn’t working. We need to activate our political imaginations in
the biggest way possible.”
When the discussion turned to what people can do to protect our rights, the panelists
focused on practical things anyone can do to help build a successful coalition for
change.
“Every day, do something. It doesn’t have to be a big thing. It might be just calling
someone to check in on them, it might be writing a letter, or calling your congressman. It
might be a passive thing,” said Land. “That moment when you think, ‘Oh my god, I can’t believe this,’ that’s when you do something, anything and it’ll propel you for the next
day.”
The panel also addressed concerns from the audience that we have to ensure that our
activism is inclusive and intersectional.
“Feminism without intersectionality is just white supremacy,” Baldwin said. “Going
forward with your coalitions, I encourage you to be intentional with your intersectionality,
not just tokenism.”
“There are some common needs that we all care about and it doesn’t matter who you
are, and that’s where we have to be. But when we’re fighting for those things, we have
to recognize there are some people who have different ideas of what that looks like, and
we have to be open to that,” said Land. Reyes Salinas added that it’s an important priority for Equality California to use its platform to lift the voices of diverse parts of the community.
“We can elevate your coalitions, your storytelling, whatever’s happening, my team can
make sure that that’s elevated to ensure that other people see you as a trusted source,”
he said.
Reyes Salinas added that Equality California offers leadership training programs for
people who want to get experience in politics and running for office.
The Los Angeles Blade is planning more community forums to discuss hot-button
issues as they arise.
Events
Celebrate Lesbian Visibility Week with The Curve Foundation
This week’s events are hosted in collaboration with The Curve Foundation
Lesbian Visibility Week, which is running now to April 27, is a nationally recognized celebration created by The Curve Foundation to honor lesbians and sapphics and their accomplishments.
The events this week will be hosted by Cinnamon Rivera, a well-known and active voice in the queer, Latinx,community, and Alex Banx, a well-known community voice in the queer, Black community.
“I’m personally excited about our BIPOC Lesbian Speed Mingling event happening on Lesbian Visibility Week Friday,” said Banx. “The event sold out with more than a week to go, [so] the need was clearly there. A lot of people can be socially timid, so this is why we wanted to make it easy — take the pressure out. This isn’t just about dating, this is about creating sustainable, long-lasting connections; whether they be friends, lovers, business partners, or whatever else happens.”
On Thursday, LVW will celebrate with a Drag King takeover at Micky’s in West Hollywood. The event will be a collaboration between The Curve Foundation and Them Fatale, a drag king collective that is inclusive of performers who do not identify as cis men outside of drag.
The event will feature drag by Manny Oakley, Malcolm Xtasy, Jack Doff, Precious Julz, Anna Shevitz and will be hosted by Provvidenza.
On Friday, Lesbian Visibility Week will make its way through Long Beach. Adelita’s Revenge, a Latinx, queer-owned business, inside Viento y Agua, a Latinx and queer-owned coffee shop. They will be hosting the Lynx for Lez Speed Mingle night.
On Saturday, LVW will host two events across L.A. and Long Beach.
One will happen at KISO, DTLA’s newest queer bar. The event hosted by Cinnamon Rivera will feature a line-up of poets, DJ’s, vendors and art on display.
The event, which will happen from 4p.m. to 9p.m., will also feature live performances by Irene Díaz, a Chicana singer-songwriter from East Los Angeles who gained popularity for her timeless love songs. Nico Turner, a multi-instrumentalist and musician from Los Angeles, who’s known for hosting the infamous Gay Asstrology parties.
The exciting line-up of poets will feature Karla Lamb who’s known as VinylOwl on Instagram, host Cinnamon Rivera and Verónica Reyes, who’s known as EastLosAngelesPoet on IG.
That same day, LVW will also host the Queer Women in Sports Day panel at Watch Me Sports Bar at 3p.m.
The event is set to feature an exciting line-up of panelists such as Rachel Pearson, lead video editor and ESPN EQUAL Advisor for ESPN; Carmen Bona, president of business operations at Angel City Football Club; Evan Unrau, director of social and community impact at LA84; Julie Shaw, Ph.D., leadership and DEI consultant; and Jax D., owner of Watch Me! Sports Bar.
To learn more about this week’s events and find local, as well as national events, visit the website.
Events
Q Con 2025 taking place in West Hollywood, offering free admission
Reserve your free tickets at the Q Con website!
Q Con, SoCal’s only LGBTQ+ comic convention, is set to return Saturday, May 3, bringing in dozens of LGBTQ+ speakers, vendors, artists and community voices to their lineup.
“LGBTQIA+ people of all ages and backgrounds need to see themselves and their stories represented in the arts – to know they are okay, they are accepted and they are powerful. Q Con gives us the opportunity to do this – to raise queer voices in comic books and graphic novels, bring the community together and have a lot of fun at the same time,” said Ted Abenheim, president of Prism Comics.
Mark your calendars and start scheming up your queer cosplay outfits for a costume contest that celebrates the LGBTQ+ representation and visibility in one of the most queer-coded industries in media ahead of Pride month.
Prism Comics, the nonprofit organization championing LGBTQ+ representation and diversity in comic books, graphic novels and pop media, announced their 4th annual Q Con, happening in West Hollywood’s Plummer Park. The convention will take place in West Hollywood from 11AM to 6PM at Fiesta Hall.
The nonprofit established in 2003, is deemed the “LGBTQ+ Comics Central,” at San Diego Comic Con, WonderCon Anaheim, Los Angeles Comic Con and other conventions. Prism prides itself on providing a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community to unite over mutual passion, interest and love for comics, novels and more. This is the space where comic creators, readers, librarians, educators and families can come together and celebrate, discuss and enjoy the representation the community needs and deserves.
Find free tickets and more information regarding guest speakers, panels and vendors here.
Q Con is also currently seeking LGBTQ+ comic creators and businesses who are interested in setting up a table at the event. If interested in tabling or volunteering, email Ted Abenheim, President of Prism Comics at [email protected].
Events
City of WeHo to host Rainbow Key Awards
Celebration will honor those who have made outstanding contributions to the LGBTQ+ community
The City of West Hollywood and its LGBTQ+ Commission will host the annual Rainbow Key Awards to recognize nominees who have made outstanding contributions to the LGBTQ+ community.
This year’s Rainbow Key Awards Ceremony will be free and held in-person on Sunday, April 6, at 6PM at the city’s Council Chambers and Public Meeting Room, located at 625 N. San Vicente Boulevard.
This year’s awards will honor the awardees who were selected by the LGBTQ+ Commission listed below.
- Dapper Dyke Vivian Escalante is a leader in lesbian activism who established Dykes on Bikes in West Hollywood and Long Beach. In a time of limited representation, her work toward the visibility and empowerment of the lesbian community stood out above others.
- Rebecca Gitlin Ph.D served as the first LGBTQ+ Services Specialist at the LA County Department of Mental Health’s Anti-Racism, Inclusion, Solidarity and Empowerment Division. She now serves as a clinical supervisor at the LACDMH Hollywood Mental Health Cooperative. Gitlin has been instrumental in ensuring that both identity and gender-affirming are included in all of the services provided by LACDMH.
- LZ Love is a legendary African American transfeminine singer who has entertained for decades with her blues, gospel, and dance music. She started her career at age 16 and served as a background vocalist for the great disco diva Sylvester. She has performed at Pride events across the nation and has performed at the City of West Hollywood’s annual Transgender Day of Remembrance.
- Brian Sonia-Wallace founded Pride Poets, the band of LGBTQ+ typewriter poets who have collectively written thousands of free custom poems at West Hollywood Pride events and beyond since 2019, giving the community a chance to have their stories of love, loss, and celebration honored through poetry. He served as West Hollywood’s 4th Poet Laureate from 2020-2023, creating space for hundreds of LGBTQ+ writers to express themselves and build community through the APLA Writers’ Workshop, The Mic @ Micky’s, and the West Hollywood Slam Team.
- Jackie Beat is a drag superstar who has been entertaining audiences across the U.S. and Europe for over three decades. Beat is known for her razor-sharp comedy and hysterical song parodies. Apart from her live tours, Beat has also worked in the film and television industry and has often used her talents to raise money for HIV and AIDS charities and other organizations supporting the LGBTQ+ community.The awards ceremony will be immediately followed by a reception and afterparty on the Respite Deck at the West Hollywood Park Aquatic and Recreation Center, adjacent to West Hollywood Library.
Additional information for this free event, including registration details, is available at the city’s website or by RSVP at Eventbrite. For those unable to attend, the event will also be live-streamed and recorded on the city’s WeHoTV channel on YouTube.
Events
Win tickets to share an evening with RuPaul in Los Angeles!
Global drag sensation RuPaul Charles personally invites you to a one-of-a-kind night filled with spiritual wisdom!
Mama Ru is coming to Los Angeles on March 18th, 2025 to the The Ricardo Montalban Theatre on his House of Hidden Meanings Book Tour, and we have the ticket hookup for you!
Head to our Instagram @LosAngelesBlade and send us a one minute or less video telling us why you just HAVE to see RuPaul for this evening of spilling the tea and spiritual wisdom.
Global drag sensation RuPaul Charles personally invites you to a one-of-a-kind night filled with spiritual wisdom! As always, it’ll be fabulous, but this time it’s raw and vulnerable. Celebrating his highly-anticipated memoir and guide to life, The House of Hidden Meanings, this is an intimate and unscripted exploration of the mind, body and soul, telling RuPaul’s extraordinary story that goes far beyond glamour and fame.
You’ve heard the phrase We’re all born naked, and the rest is drag,’ but this is RuPaul stripped bare. RuPaul offers more than just a memoir; it’s a manual for living, a personal philosophy waiting to be shared that explores chosen family, celebrating your individuality, and the fearless power of self-discovery.
The pop culture icon shares life lessons that will uplift your spirits and foster a sense of belonging – because if you don’t love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?
Get tickets here!
Arts & Entertainment
Bob the Drag Queen To Host the 13th Annual Queerties Awards in Los Angeles
The Award Show That Celebrates the Best in LGBTQ+ Entertainment and Pop Culture
The Los Angeles Blade will be on the scene as The Queerties Awards return for their 13th year, shining a spotlight on the most impactful moments in LGBTQ+ entertainment and culture. The big affair will take place on Tuesday, March 11, at The Avalon in Hollywood.
The event promises a night of celebration, recognition, and community. Non-local fans of Queerty can watch the awards on WOW Presents Plus starting March 18, joining the platform’s diverse library of LGBTQ+ content, which includes original series, World of Wonder-produced documentaries and the global Drag Race franchise.
The Queerties, produced by Queerty and its parent company Q.Digital, honor excellence across music, television, film, literature, and more. The awards uniquely focus on LGBTQ+ creators, tastemakers, and storytellers who often go unrecognized by mainstream award shows.
“The Queerties gives voice to the LGBTQ+ community,” said Scott Gatz, CEO of Q.Digital. “It’s the pop culture awards show where queer people honor the best of the best, voting for the talent and creatives who inspire and pave the way for the next generation of queer youth.”
Headlining this year’s ceremony will be the queen of entertainment, Bob the Drag Queen, known for winning RuPaul’s Drag Race, competing on The Traitors, hosting HBO’s We’re Here, and authoring the novel Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert. As usual, Bob brings charisma, humor and activism to the role, making them the perfect emcee for the evening.
“It’s important to devote more focus to LGBTQ+ artists and content due to the attacks coming from the current administration that attempt to not only minimize but essentially erase the existence of people,” said Bob the Drag Queen. “Which is not possible, but they’re trying to make people feel unacknowledged.”
Bob emphasizes the deeper significance of LGBTQ+ representation in media. “Engaging with queer content builds community. It does more than you could imagine,” they added. The Queerties stand as a testament to that mission, highlighting the creative achievements and resilience of the LGBTQ+ community.
This year’s Queerties includes an impressive nominee list, reflecting a groundbreaking year of LGBTQ+ representation and success. Check out the “Badass” category, which honors the year’s top LGBTQ+ newsmakers and includes pop sensation Chappell Roan and trans Latina filmmaker and actress Nava Mau, leading the nominations.
Representing the world of fashion, the “Style Icon” category celebrates individuals whose personal style transcends trends and makes a cultural impact. This year’s nominees include Emmy-winning actress Laverne Cox (Clean Slate) and visionary Filipino-American fashion designer Zaldy Goco, known for his avant-garde creations that have graced stages and red carpets worldwide.
The “Coming Out for Good” category, which recognizes individuals who shared powerful coming-out stories in 2025, features an inspirational lineup. This year’s nominees include chart-topping singer Khalid for his heartfelt public revelation, country star Maren Morris for her advocacy and visibility within the LGBTQ+ community, and Drag Race alum Detox, who continues to use their platform to champion queer causes.
Outstanding performances in film and television are also celebrated. Elliot Page earns a nomination in the “Film Performance” category for his role in Close to You, while Justice Smith is recognized for his work in the psychological thriller I Saw the TV Glow. In the television categories, Cooper Koch (Monsters: The Lyle and Eric Menendez Story), Yasmin Finney (Heartstopper), and Aubrey Plaza (Agatha All Along) are honored for their dynamic and memorable performances. Film and television continue to bring our stories to the forefront.
The music world sees its own share of rising LGBTQ+ stars in the “Breakout Musical Artist” category. Young Miko, Joy Oladokun, and Drag Race alum Luxx Noir London are all vying for the title, each bringing their unique sounds and stories to the forefront of the industry.
This year’s Queerties also shine a spotlight on LGBTQ+ literature at a time when book bans and censorship efforts are on the rise. The “Best Queer Read” category includes American Teenager by Nico Lang, Rebel Girl by Kathleen Hanna, and The T in LGBT by Jamie Raines, all of which offer profound insights into queer identities and experiences.
The voting process is completely community-driven. Nominees are selected by Queerty’s editorial team, but the winners are chosen by the readers themselves, ensuring that the awards truly reflect the voices and opinions of the LGBTQ+ community.
As the entertainment landscape continues to evolve, the Queerties stand as a beacon of inclusivity and recognition. In a world where LGBTQ+ representation still faces significant challenges, the awards offer a moment to celebrate resilience, creativity, and the power of queer storytelling.
Don’t miss the 13th Annual Queerties Awards on March 11 at The Avalon in Hollywood, or catch the nationwide stream on WOW Presents Plus starting March 18. For more information, visit www.queerty.com/Queerties and subscribe to WOW Presents Plus at www.wowpresentsplus.com to explore their extensive library of LGBTQ+ content.
Arts & Entertainment
Murray Hill comes to Los Angeles for one night only
‘Murray Hill As Himself’ set to go down at The Lodge Room tonight at 7PM
Murray Hill stars in ‘Murray Hill As Himself,’ tonight in Los Angeles at The Lodge Room and in Palm Springs on Sunday, Feb. 23. Tickets are available through Hill’s website for $40 general admission, with an option for VIP tickets that include a meet and greet and special merch item.
Hill’s performance about almost making it in show biz, his chronic middle-aged crisis, showbiz trials and tribulations, failed love affairs, comebacks, accompanied by the swinging band Jordan Katz (Middle-Aged Dad Jam Band) & The Stiff Gimlets and LA burlesque star Jessabelle Thunder and singer-comedian Natasha Estrada.
“It’s the first time I’m bringing my full comedy show, with a band, to LA. It’s a real throwback show, kind of an homage to old-school Vegas legends like Shecky Greene, Totie Fields, Don Rickles, but it’s not an impersonation, it’s in my bones,” said Hill. “I must have been a Vegas lounge comedian in a previous life, because I don’t know why anybody would do this…you know, this is camp. This is humor that nobody does anymore–but I do.”
Hill says tonight’s show will turn heads as Jessabelle Thunder who has headlined many festivals, performed with Miss Dita Von Teese herself as part of her Strip Strip Hooray show and her Von Follies Show, and was featured on television shows–to name a few–will make an appearance.
Hill says that this performance is to take up space as trans people and bring positive light to the marginalized identity.
“I am touring so trans people continue to be out there to take up space and to be a positive light, even to the haters. People are being fed fear and hatred, and they have no idea what’s what. The real issue is, because they don’t know trans people. They don’t sit with them. They’re not in their families. They’re so removed from an actual person that has a heart, has feelings, is somebody’s kid, somebody’s neighbor, somebody’s parent,” said Hill.
“I’m going to continue, through my act and my persona, to show the humanity of not just trans people but of queer people, of all people. That’s something that my show, and even [the characters] I play on TV have; they’re about heart and humanity and laughter. If you have those things happening, it’s really hard to hate at the same time.”
Hill is an NYC-based legend, comedian, MC, international entertainer, TV host and historical figure in the world of Drag. Hill is best known as a drag performer, but also for his most recent role in the HBO TV series Somebody Somewhere. Hill’s breakout role on the Bridget Everett-led dramedy series, is as Fred Rococo, who is directly inspired by Hill. All three seasons are now available on Max.
Hill is now on his Big Mini Murray West Coast Tour, stopping first in Los Angeles, then Palm Springs and finally, Las Vegas.
Catch Hill’s larger-than-life personality on stage in Los Angeles tonight! Hill will also soon be releasing his new book Showbiz! My Life as a Middle-Aged Man, which will chronicle the life and origins of the beloved drag icon that we have come to know as Murray Hill.
Events
LGBTQ+ community will gather to celebrate life of beloved publisher
Join us for a celebration in honor of Troy Masters, founder and publisher of Los Angeles Blade
On Monday, Feb. 10 from 7pm to 9pm, friends and colleagues of Troy Masters will gather at The Abbey in West Hollywood to celebrate his life and legacy as founder of the Los Angeles Blade.
Masters was a resident of WeHo and he was a deeply respected and well-known person for his work in the LGBTQ+ community and coverage of queer issues in Los Angeles and New York City. In the years he was a journalist, he built a network of people that truly stood behind the work he felt passionately about.
The celebration will feature guest speakers who worked closely with Masters s Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsay Horvath, senior contributing writer for the LA Blade Karen Ocamb, CEO of the Trans Latin@ Coalition Bamby Salcedo and co-owner of the Washington Blade Kevin Naff.
Master’s work and legacy go as far back as the late 1980s where he got his first taste of activism working as an ad representative for the gay and lesbian activism publication, Outweek.
According to the obituary written by his close colleague Ocamb, the publication only lasted 18 months before founder, record producer and ACT UP supporter Bill Chafin passed away due to AIDS. The magazine was the first glossy gay and lesbian magazine published in New York City featuring news, culture, and events during a time where the AIDS Second Wave was peaking and Masters felt like he had to step in to speak up for the issues that were not only affecting his community, but also contributing to a higher death toll during the epidemic.
He successfully launched the bi-weekly newspaper Lesbian and Gay New York, which ran from 1994 to 2002 and then re-launched it as Gay City News. After many other career moves and a move across the country to Los Angeles in 2015, he found himself at a work place that included voices who were openly supportive of Trump and his policies.
This gave him the kick he needed and he gathered the tools to establish what is now the Los Angeles Blade, SoCal’s LGBTQ+ News Source. In short, Masters was a caring advocate for his communities and his tireless work brought together many LGBTQ+ community members.
Now is the time to celebrate not only his life-worth of accomplishments, but to honor and more importantly, carry on his legacy.
The Abbey will be providing small bites and the Trans Corus of L.A will honor Masters with a performance.
Please join us on Monday, Feb. 10 from 7pm to 9pm to honor Troy Masters. RSVP at the Eventbrite link here.
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