LOS ANGELES — This morning, Board Chair Lindsey P. Horvath, her Board colleagues, and LA County Assessor Jeff Prang were joined by LGBTQ+ community leaders and allies to raise the Progress Pride flag over the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration.
The second annual flag raising was held before the first June meeting of the Board of Supervisors.
“Raising the Progress Pride flag at County buildings is an important act of solidarity and inclusion. It lets our LGBTQ+ community know they are safe, welcome, and supported wherever County services are offered,” said Board Chair Lindsey P. Horvath. “It is meaningful to come together in support of our vibrant and diverse LGBTQ+ community to raise the flag to celebrate Pride and to proclaim that Los Angeles County sees you and values who you are, just as you are.”
Last June, Supervisor Janice Hahn authored the motion to fly the Progress Pride flag at the Hall of Administration. Supervisor Horvath joined the motion and expanded it to include all County facilities. For the second year, County facilities will fly the Progress Pride flag all June.
“It is important that for the second year in a row, the Progress Pride flag is flying high above not only the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, the heart of LA County government, but above every LA County facility countywide–sending a message to all our LGBTQ residents that their government sees them, supports them, and strives to make this county a place where they feel safe to live their truth,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn.
The press conference also celebrated the incoming executive director of the inaugural LGTBQ+ Commission, Sunitha Menon, who will step into her role on June 6. LGBTQ+ Commissioners joined the celebration. Supervisors Hilda L. Solis and Horvath authored the motion last June to create the Commission, which will hold its first meeting on June 11.
“I’m proud to stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community and my fellow Board of Supervisors to raise the Progress Pride Flag at the heart of County government, because it sends a clear, unambiguous message that Los Angeles County will always be a welcoming and inclusive space that celebrates love, respect, and dignity for all and universally rejects any form of hate, intolerance, and discrimination,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis. “I’m equally proud to be introducing a motion later today that will expand the County’s gender-affirming health care services for Transgender, Gender non-conforming, and intersex residents that will require all County Departments to create unified care coordination teams that can more effectively deliver more comprehensive and seamless gender-affirming care resources to the County’s LGBTQ+ residents. I’m committed to standing with our LGBTQ+ community every day of the year.”
“As we join together to raise this powerful symbol of inclusion, hope, and acceptance, let the Progress Pride flag also serve as a rallying call to honor our shared responsibility to create a just LA County that is truly inclusive, safe, and affirming for our LGBTQ+ community and for all our residents,” said Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell.
(Photo Credit: Constance Farrell, Communications Director for Supervisor Horvath)
“Today, as we raise the Progress Pride Flag over the Los Angeles County Hall of Administration for the second time, we celebrate not only the vibrancy and diversity of our community but also our steadfast commitment to inclusivity and equality in Los Angeles County” said Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang. “As we begin the celebrations of Pride Month, it is important that we reflect upon the remarkable contributions of the LGBTQ+ community to our nation, state, and county while recognizing the barriers that still exist.”
On the heels of WeHo Pride, West Hollywood’s Drag Laureate Pickle, served as the emcee to properly kick off Pride in LA County. Sisters Dominia and Unity from the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence provided a blessing.
The Board adopted two items at today’s meeting authored by Chair Horvath and Supervisor Solis focused on uplifting our LGBTQ+ community.
The first item – Care with Pride: Affirming and Expanding the Gender Health Program reaffirms the County’s commitment to offering gender affirming healthcare.
“This Pride, Los Angeles County redoubles our commitment to Care with Pride, validating and supporting our TGI community members through gender affirming healthcare,” said Board Chair Lindsey P. Horvath. “Our leading doctors, social workers, clinicians, and medical professionals are committed to being the health partners our TGI communities deserve.”
The second item – Gender Affirming Resource Closets for LGBTQ+ Foster Youth in Los Angeles County creates a pilot program to establish no-cost safe spaces for trans young people in foster care to access clothing and other gender affirming resources.
“Our transgender young people deserve to have places where they can safely access a variety of clothing that affirms their identity and allows them to share with the world who they are,” said Board Chair Lindsey P. Horvath. “This is a powerful action, which our young people called for, and thanks to DCFS and our philanthropic partners – Casey Family Programs and the Pritzker Foster Care Initiative – LA County is making it happen.”