June is Pride month. I was looking forward to celebrating the LGBTQ+ community, but instead I’m reading about the anti-Pride protests at Saticoy Elementary School. I found the statement released by the Chief Impact Officer of the LGBT Center of Los Angeles helpful in understanding the protests in the overall context of what is happening nationwide. I think of the impact that such ignorance and hate must have on the 300,000+ children with same sex parents in this country and on their mental and emotional health. According to the Trevor Project’s 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health, 45% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year and 60% of LGBTQ youth who wanted mental health care in the past year were not able to receive it.

Instead of celebrating, I’m reading about the record number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills being introduced across the country. This includes 300+ education related anti-LGBTQ+ bills that include “forced outing” bills — these would require teachers to alert parents when a student starts using another name or pronouns different than those assigned at birth, without the consent of the student. It includes bills criminalizing gender affirming-care for trans youth. This assault on education, healthcare, and other civil rights is real. One of our most vulnerable communities is under attack.

What can we do? How can we be effective allies? Below are some suggested resources and action items.

Educate

Listen to this short take on the context of current anti-LGBTQ+ legislation: https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2023/06/02/pride-celebrations-anti-lgbtq

Mental Health: https://www.statnews.com/2023/05/01/mental-health-lgbtq-youth/

Gender-Inclusive Reproductive Rights Advocacy: https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2021/10/abortion-law-trans-inclusive-advocacy.html

Donate

LA LGBT Center

LGBTQ Center of Long Beach

The TransLatin@ Coalition

Show Up

On June 14, 2023, WLALA is co-sponsoring the Italian American Lawyers Association Dinner for Pride month. Register here: https://iala38.wildapricot.org/page-1836071

On June 29, 2023, WLALA’s Solo/Small Firm Committee is hosting a fundraiser to benefit LGBTQ+ youth in Long Beach. Register here: https://wlala.org/event/wlala-and-wlba-mixer/

WLALA stands in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community in this time of crisis. We hear you. We see you. We are here for you.

Janet Hong
President, Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles