Center, Task Force Launch Rally, ‘Rock-In’ to Oppose Social Security Discrimination
Welcome to the Center
Since 1971 the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center has been building the health, advocating for the rights and enriching the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people.
The Center's wide array of services includes: free HIV/AIDS care and medications for those most in need; housing, food, clothing and support for homeless LGBT youth; support and advocacy services for LGBT seniors and LGBT-parented families.
The Center also offers low-cost counseling and addiction-recovery services; legal services; health education and HIV prevention programs; transgender services; a cultural arts program and much more.
Are you ready to rock?
In a new kind of protest—a rally and “rock-in” called Rock for Equality —participants will demonstrate outside Social Security offices in L.A. and Washington, D.C., to call for an end to Social Security discrimination against same-sex couples. Some will sit in rocking chairs while thousands more rally behind them.
The L.A. protest will take place on April 11 with the Washington, D.C., event following on April 18.
“We see first-hand the devastating results of Social Security discrimination and its impact on the lives of the of the LGBT seniors we serve every day,” says Center CEO Lorri L. Jean. “It’s nothing short of outrageous that, having paid into the system fairly and equally—often throughout decades of hard work —LGBT people are denied the same benefits that all others receive.”
Youth in the Los Angeles area can now earn a high school diploma in a safe and welcoming environment for LGBT people, thanks to a new, accredited satellite school at the Center.
A recent study shows that nearly 90% of LGBT students reported being harassed at school because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and three-fifths felt unsafe at school.
“A bright future begins with a solid education, but it’s impossible to learn in an unsafe environment,” said Michael Ferrera, director of LifeWorks.
“Our goal is to provide a safe space where these students will have access to all of the resources they need to have a healthy, happy and full high school life.” For more information or to enroll, visit www.emsofl.com or call 323-860-7373. Read the L.A. Times story. Read the L.A. Times story. Watch theCBS 2/KCAL 9 news story.
Steamy Soap Sizzles On Screen Again
The guys of steamy soap In the Moment are back, once again heating up the other small screen—the computer screen—with a new ‘webisode’ that continues the story of a group of young gay guys living in West Hollywood and making decisions about sex.
Now that sex- and drug-addicted Edgar has confided in a friend, will he get help? Will Mike, who cheated on his ex before they had unprotected sex, make different decisions moving forward?
And how will Kyle, the blogger who just moved to town, deal with the pressure he feels to look a certain way?
These stories are unfolding as In the Moment—an innovative web-based soap that’s also an HIV-prevention campaign—progresses.
