LA County Winds Down Pride Month with LGBTQ+ Anti-Hate Forum in San Fernando Valley

LA County’s Commission on Human Relations held an LGBTQ+ Anti-Hate Forum in the City of San Fernando on Thursday, June 20, to educate residents on how to combat hate during Pride Month.

Panelists from left, Dr. Monica Lomeli, April Johnson, and Paul Smith of the LA County Commission on Human Relations; LA County Sheriff Sgt. Keith Ho; LAPD Detective Orlando Martinez; and Somos Familia Valle President Kevin Al Perez answered questions, shared information, and urged people to report hate crimes and incidents at the San Fernando Library on June 20.

LA County’s Commission on Human Relations and The San Fernando Valley Sun/el Sol newspaper joined forces on Thursday, June 20, to host an LGBTQ+ Anti-Awareness forum at the San Fernando Library. The forum discussed the alarming surge of hate directed at the LGBQ+ and Trans communities.

The forum comes at the peak of “Pride,” the month of June dedicated to celebrating lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning history, contributions, and achievements. The celebration is crucial progress, especially with the recent rise in attacks on the LGBTQ+ community. Last year’s Pride Parade in San Fernando was contentious, with police separating protesters from counter protesters. The City of San Fernando has also received additional anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric during City Council meetings which has caused further dissension between some local leaders and the queer/questioning community and its allies.

The forum, which took place before the San Fernando Pride Parade on June 22, was designed to empower community members with the knowledge and tools to create a safer and more inclusive community.

LA County’s Commission on Human Relations has been at the forefront of combatting hate in the LGBTQ+ community. It stood in solidarity with The TransLatin@ Coalition (TLC) at a joint press conference after TLC experienced hate mail and a bomb threat in April 2024. Since that time, the Commission on Human Relations has focused on how to provide information and resources to combat hate in the LGBTQ+ community for Pride Month. This forum was a crucial step in the ongoing battle against hate, aiming to equip the LGBTQ+ community with knowledge of hate prevention, support mechanisms, and reporting procedures. This holistic approach involved information about all the programs offered by the Commission of Human Relations, which included Hate Documentation, LA vs Hate, Training and Dialogue, and Transformative Justice. Representatives from law enforcement agencies and local LGBTQ+ community activists attended.

The featured panelists were as follows.

• Monica Lomeli, Hate Documentation, LA County Human Relations Commission
• April Johnson, Training and Dialogue, LA County Human Relations Commission
• Paul Smith, Transformative Justice, LA County Human Relations Commission
• Sergeant Keith Ho, LA County Sheriff’s LGBTQ+ Community Liaison
• Detective Orlando Martinez, the LAPD Hate Crimes Coordinator
• Kevin Al Perez, President of Somos Familia Valle

Dr. Monica Lomeli Presented Hate Crime Information and Statics to Attendees at the LGBTQ+ Anti-Hate Forum at San Fernando Library.

Dr. Monica Lomeli leads LA County’s Hate Documentation team and manages the County’s annual Hate Crime Report.  In recent years, the team has seen a rise in hate crime reporting throughout LA County. In 2022, sexual orientation crimes comprised the second largest motivation and grew by 20%. There were 44 anti-transgender crimes, the largest number ever documented in LA County, and 91% of the anti-transgender crimes were violent. “The only way to know to what extent communities are being targeted with hate is to report it. This enables the LA County Board of Supervisors to precisely deploy programs and resources to the communities most impacted by hate, as we have seen with recent events of the LGBTQ+ community being targeted in public spaces like libraries and schools. We can only help these communities if we know who is being targeted,” said Dr. Lomeli.

This year, anti-LGBTQ+ threats and vandalism threats at pride events have been on the rise nationwide. However, LA vs Hate is a well-known anti-hate program and system led by the Commission on Human Relations and available to residents throughout LA County. The goal of the LA vs Hate system is to address the normalization of hate and inspire people to stand up to it, build an understanding about what constitutes a hate act and how to report it and support individuals and communities as they heal from the trauma of hate. Dr. Lomeli showed the new LA vs Hate LGBTQ+ anti-hate PSAs in English and Spanish for Pride Month. The public service announcements featured two transgender activists and encouraged viewers to report hate. “No one should have to endure hate alone. Whether LGBTQ+ residents live in San Fernando Valley or throughout LA County, LA vs Hate is a reliable anti-hate program and system where people can report hate and receive help.  By reporting hate online at LAvsHate.org or dialing 211, victims can get free services and counseling.  By supporting one another, we can eradicate hate and discrimination in our diverse communities,” said Robin Toma, Executive Director of LA County’s Commission on Human Relations.

After the Hate Documentation and LA vs Hate presentations, the focus turned to April Johnson.  Ms. Johnson leads the Training and Dialogue team for the Commission on Human Relations. During the forum, she presented an overview of training programs available to the public, organizations, and professionals, such as Constructive, Candid Conversations, Implicit Bias, and De-escalation training. Robert Sowell, Assistant Executive Director of the Commission on Human Relations, has reported, “Each year, we facilitate training for hundreds of professionals, practitioners, activists, and concerned constituents on multiple topics to address systemic racism, lead organizational culture change, and advance equity. We stand against hate by bringing people together across boundaries of difference and facilitating honest and civil dialogue,” said Robert Sowell. April concluded her remarks and reminded attendees that the training can be customized in person or virtually for their needs.

Next, Paul Smith, Senior Human Relations Consultant for the Transformative Justice (TJ) Program, led by LA County’s Commission on Human Relations, spoke about working regionally with law enforcement and community partners to advance equitable policing. Since its launch in 2015, the TJ program has made inroads to improve relations between law enforcement agencies and LGBT+ and trans communities. Paul said the “LGBTQ+ experience is not monolithic.” He urged attendees to acknowledge the Transgender, Gender Diverse, or Intersex (TGI) communities that have been under attack by extreme political groups and marginalized in society, making Transgender Americans one of the most vulnerable groups in LGBTQ+ communities. “You need that input from the community, so while we are making policies, those policies are informed by people with lived experiences,” said Paul Smith.

The following panelists were from law enforcement. Sergeant Keith Ho from the LA County Sheriff’s LGBTQ+ Community Liaison Officer spoke about the collaborative work between the Sheriff’s office and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) to cross-pollinate efforts to keep LGBTQ+ communities safe. Detective Orlando Martinez, the LAPD Hate Crimes Coordinator, indicated that perpetrators can commit hate crimes in neighboring communities and then flee to other areas throughout LA County. However, by working with Sergeant Ho and the Sheriff’s office, the officers can compare notes and help bring perpetrators to justice. “That’s where my role comes in — to bridge the gap closer and make law enforcement understand the community, and at the same time, the community feels that law enforcement we’re here to help,” said LA County Sheriff’s LGBTQ+ Community Liaison Sergeant Keith Ho.

However, Rita García from The Translatin@ Coalition told the officers that she and her community still feel unsafe. She indicated that hostilities between the trans community and the average law enforcement officers working the streets were not good. Detective Martinez encouraged Rita not to be silent and to continue advocating for herself and her community. “You have to be a squeaky wheel,” said Detective Martinez.

Rita García Held the Microphone to Address Law Enforcement with Policing Concerns Affecting the Transgender, Gender Diverse or Intersex (TGI) Communities at the LGBTQ+ Anti-Awareness Forum Held on June 20.

The final panelist to speak was Kevin Al Perez, president of Somos Familia Valle. He has been organizing for over 10 years in the LGBTQ+ community in San Fernando Valley and recently opened a new LGBTQ+ community center in Sun Valley. Despite this milestone, Kevin indicated he’s received increased hate emails from anonymous resources and anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric from organizations claiming to protect children and advocating for parental rights.  However, Kevin keeps moving forward. On June 29, in Van Nuys, his organization Somos Familia Valle, LA Mayor Karen Bass, and State Senator Caroline Menjivar are hosting the official hosting the official San Fernando Valley Pride March and Rally, with the support of LA County Board Chair Lindsey Horvath and LA Councilmember Imelda Padilla.

LA County Board Chair Lindsey Horvath, Third District, acknowledged that the LGBTQ+ community has been under threat. “The surge in anti-LGBTQ+ hate is deeply troubling; we must come together to protect and support our LGBTQ+ communities,” said Los Angeles County Board Chair Lindsey P. Horvath. “This forum at the San Fernando Library is a vital opportunity to ensure our Northeast San Fernando Valley communities are equipped with the resources and support to prevent and report hate incidents. Los Angeles County is committed to empowering our LGBTQ+ community members with the knowledge and tools to create a safer and more inclusive environment for everyone—not just during Pride month but all year long.”

LA County has been committed to advocating and engaging the LGBTQ+ community during Pride Month and doing engagement year-round. LA County Board Chair Lindsey Horvath and Supervisor Hilda Solis, First District, authored a motion together last June to create the LA County LGBTQ+ Commission, which had its first inaugural meeting on June 11. “Our LGBTQ+ community has been targeted this year by legislatures in dozens of states who have passed discriminatory bills that attempt to censor curricula and books, out students in schools, deny and criminalize gender-affirming medical care, and more. These bills are unconscionable and promote hate. To combat this prejudice and hate, we must come together to support our LGBTQ+ community in all its forms to ensure people feel safe and secure – not just during Pride month but year-round. Los Angeles County must stand in solidarity against hate if we hope to eradicate it,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, First District.

From left, Fourth District Supervisor Janice Hahn, Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Third District Board Chair Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, Sunitha Menon, Executive Director of the LA County LGBTQ+ Commission (fourth from left), First District Supervisor Hilda Solis and Second District Supervisor Holly Mitchell attended the Inaugural Meeting of the LA County LGBTQ+ Commission on June 11 —Photo Courtesy of LA County Photographer David Franco.

All five LA County Board of Supervisors members attended the first LGBTQ+ Commission meeting to kick off Pride Month, and they each provided statements last week to show solidarity and raise awareness against the growing hate in the LGBQ+ and trans communities.

“It is crucial that we come together to combat hate against the LGBTQ+ community in all its forms. At the County, we are working to ensure we are constantly improving our County services, initiatives, and departments to provide respectful and affirming spaces that allow our multi-faceted LGBTQ+ community to prosper during Pride and beyond,” said LA County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Second District.

“I want LGBTQ+ residents across LA County to know that your government sees you, celebrates you, and supports you. We will continue to work until you feel you can live your truth loudly, proudly and safely. This forum is an essential part of both combating hate and equipping the LGBTQ+ community and allies with resources they need,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, Fourth District.

“Our Los Angeles County communities are committed to acceptance, solidarity, and unity,” Supervisor Barger said. “During Pride Month and all year long, our Board of Supervisors will continue to stand up and speak out about the importance of rallying around our LGBTQ+ community. Pride reminds us that our uniqueness makes us stronger and that hate has no place in our County,” said LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Fifth District.

Sunitha Menon, the new Executive Director of LA County’s LGBTQ+ Commission, attended the LGBTQ+ Anti-Hate forum in the Sun Valley and indicated she thought the information shared at the event was very insightful.

The San Fernando Valley Sun/el Sol newspaper covered the event and helped organize the forum along with LA County’s Commission on Human Relations. Martha Diaz Aszkenazy, the newspaper’s publisher, worked with the City of San Fernando to ensure the event could occur at the public library. “We would like to thank San Fernando Police Chief Fabian Valdez, the San Fernando police department, and city officials for making this event safe and secure for everyone,” said Martha Diaz Aszkenazy. Additional news coverage was picked up by County Communications and NBC News.

About LA vs Hate

LA vs Hate is a community-centered system designed to support all residents of Los Angeles County. Led by the Human Relations Commission, LA vs Hate partners with community partners from all five County districts, representing a diverse coalition of voices committed to ending hate. The system aims to address the normalization of hate and inspire people to stand up to it, build understanding about what constitutes a hate act and how to report it, as well as support individuals and communities as they heal from the trauma of hate and work to end systemic discrimination. By tracking and reporting hate, we can ensure that resources are allocated appropriately, that those targeted by hate receive the support they need, and that together, we can build respectful and resilient communities in solidarity with one another. For more information about LA vs Hate, click here.

About the LA County Commission on Human Relations

The Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations is dedicated to promoting positive human relations in our richly diverse, multicultural county throughout all five Supervisorial Districts. The Commission works to develop programs that proactively address racism, homophobia, religious prejudice, linguistic bias, anti-immigrant sentiment, and other divisive attitudes that can lead to intercultural tension, hate crimes, and related violence.

For more information about LA County’s Commission on Human Relations, click here.