City of West Hollywood Celebrates Veterans Day 2023
Veterans Day Ceremony on Saturday, November 11 at 11 a.m. will Honor Veterans and Active Members of the US Armed Forces
WEST HOLLYWOOD – The City of West Hollywood will honor veterans and active members of the United States Armed Forces during its annual Veterans Day ceremony on Saturday, November 11, 2023 at 11 a.m. The ceremony will take place in-person at the Sal Guarriello Veterans’ Memorial, located on the corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and Holloway Drive. The Memorial will feature wreaths and American flags as part of the City’s recognition of Veterans Day and the City will welcome community members at the Memorial to pay respects.
This year, the City will be thanking veterans for the service in the military and will focus on bringing awareness and resources to mental health issues that affect veterans. The event will feature the Pledge of Allegiance, a bugler playing Taps, and a moment of silence followed by The National Anthem performed by members of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles.For more information, please call the City of West Hollywood’s City Recreation Services Division at (323) 848-6534, or email [email protected]. For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, please call TTY (323) 848-6496.
West Hollywood Commemorates Transgender Awareness Month and Transgender Day of Remembrance
The City of West Hollywood and its Transgender Advisory Board recognize November as Transgender Awareness Month. Since its incorporation in 1984, the City of West Hollywood has led the region in the pursuit and implementation of progressive and humane policies, fostering an environment of acceptance in which diversity is celebrated.
During Transgender Awareness Month, the City of West Hollywood will fly the blue, pink, and white Transgender flag over West Hollywood City Hall and will light the globe lanterns above Santa Monica Boulevard in blue, pink, and white through Monday, November 20, 2023.
Transgender Awareness Month events in November will include a performance of the TransDiaries, produced by Hollywood NOW, the Hollywood Chapter of the National Organization of Women.
The event will take place on Saturday, November 11, 2023 and Sunday, November 12, 2023 at 7:30 p.m. at the City of West Hollywood’s Council Chambers/Public Meeting Room, located at 625 N. San Vicente Boulevard.
The two performances are free and open to the public. For more information and to RSVP, please visit the Eventbrite page https://transdiaries2023.eventbrite.com.
TransDiaries will Take Place on November 11 and 12 at 7:30 p.m. at the City’s Council Chambers/Public Meeting Room
Transgender Day of Remembrance Ceremony will Take Place on Sunday, November 19 at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers
The City of West Hollywood is also a co-sponsoring multiple community events hosted by trans-led organizations in Los Angeles:
- The TransLatin@Coalition’s GARRAS Fashion Show will take place on Saturday, November 18, 2023 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Pacific Design Center, located at 8687 Melrose Avenue. Tickets for the TransLatin@ Coalition’s GARRAS fashion show can be purchased at https://garras.org. The TransLatin@ Coalition is a nonprofit organization that advocates for the specific needs of the TransLatin@ community that reside in the United States.
- The City of West Hollywood will also host The Church of Trans Love’s Trans Love Dance on Friday, November 17, 2023, from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the West Hollywood Park Aquatic and Recreation Center Respite Deck, located at 8750 El Tovar Place, adjacent to West Hollywood Library. This free event will feature performances and dance rituals from Shakina Nayfack and Loretta Lorraine, and music by DJ Asha. More information can be found on the City’s online calendar. This event is supported in part by a Transgender Arts Initiative Grant from the City of West Hollywood.
- The Unique Woman’s Coalition’s (UWC) TransGiving Dinner will take place on Sunday, November 19, 2023, and will begin at 5 p.m. The Unique Woman’s Coalition (UWC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to being a collective voice centering on the narratives and needs of Black Trans culture. The purpose of this holiday-inspired dinner is to celebrate transgender lives and accomplishments and remember those lost to anti-trans violence. The dinner will also provide much needed resources such as PPE (personal protective equipment) kits, sleeping bags, clothing, vaccines, and much more. For more information about the event, please visit https://www.theuwc.org.
The City of West Hollywood will host an in-person Transgender Day of Remembrance Ceremony at 6 p.m. on Sunday, November 19, 2023 featuring speakers and a reading of names to memorialize people who have been murdered as a result of anti-transgender violence. Transgender Day of Remembrance is part of the City of West Hollywood’s annual recognition of Transgender Awareness Month, which is recognized throughout the United States each November.
Transgender Day of Remembrance is an opportunity to look forward to the future and recommit to ending discrimination and transphobia by amplifying the visibility and voices of the transgender community.
The Transgender Day of Remembrance event will be broadcast live on the on the City’s WeHoTV channels and streams.
For details, visit www.weho.org/wehotv. WeHoTV broadcasts are available within the City of West Hollywood on Spectrum Cable Channel 10. In addition, programming may be viewed using streaming platforms by searching “WeHoTV” within the search functions of AppleTV, Amazon FireTV, AndroidTV, and Roku services.
It will also be available live and for replay at the City’s WeHoTV YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/wehotv. Visit the City’s online calendar for more information about this event. The City encourages every community stakeholder to honor the lives and memories of community members and take the opportunity to reflect on the work that remains to be done.
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) tracks annual statistics of violence against the people in the transgender community. In the latest statistics currently available, HRC has reported that thus far in 2023 there have been at least 25 transgender or gender non-conforming people fatally shot or killed by other violent means in the United States.
A disproportionately high number of victims are Black and Latinx transgender women. Past HRC reports include 41 deaths in 2022; 59 deaths in 2021; 33 deaths in 2020; 27 deaths in 2019; 26 deaths in 2018; 29 deaths in 2017; and 23 deaths in 2016. This wave of violence has been declared an epidemic by the American Medical Association.
Rates of actual violence or deaths may, in fact, be higher but anti-transgender violence can be difficult to accurately measure as victims are sometimes misgendered in reports, which can delay awareness of deadly incidents.
The City of West Hollywood has been one of the most outspoken cities in the nation in advocating for the legal rights of LGBT people. More than 40 percent of residents in the City of West Hollywood identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.
The City of West Hollywood is one of the first municipalities to form a Transgender Advisory Board, which addresses matters of advocacy on behalf of transgender people in the areas of education, community awareness, and empowerment, and makes recommendations to the West Hollywood City Council. Through its Transgender Advisory Board, the City of West Hollywood regularly co-sponsors programming and recognizes Transgender Awareness Month and Transgender Day of Remembrance each November.
For more information about the City of West Hollywood’s Transgender Awareness Month events, visit www.weho.org/tam.
As part of its support of the transgender community, the City of West Hollywood has a Transgender Resource Guide available on the City’s website, which provides information about a variety of resources including legal, health, and social services, available in the Greater Los Angeles area to enhance and improve the well-being of transgender people.
For more information about Transgender Awareness Month, please contact City of West Hollywood Community Programs Coordinator Moya Márquez at (323) 848-6574 or [email protected].
For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, please call TTY (323) 848-6496.
West Hollywood Co-Sponsors C.I.T.Y. x1 Youth Group’s Pre-Thanksgiving Dinner and Community Events
Events from November 19-22 will Provide a Safe Space Where LGBTQ+ Youth Ages 14-24 Can Interact with Community and Allies
The City of West Hollywood is a co-sponsor of the C.I.T.Y. x1 Youth Group’s 2023 “Big Feast” pre-Thanksgiving dinner and community events throughout the month of November. C.I.T.Y. x1 (Community Intervention Through Youth) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to organizing free social events for at-risk and homeless LGBTQ+ youth between the ages of 14-24.
As part of its mission, C.I.T.Y. x1 is committed to connecting LGBTQ+ homeless youth to life-changing social services including GED tutoring and job training, transitional housing assistance, medical care and health services, support groups, and food assistance. Since its formation in 2005, C.I.T.Y. x1 has serviced more than 7,500 youth through its collaborative partnerships with local service providers, nonprofit organizations, and local municipalities such as the City of West Hollywood.
This year’s C.I.T.Y. x1 November festivities will run from Sunday, November 19, 2023, through Wednesday, November 22, 2023. C.I.T.Y. x1 will host two meal distributions; the first is scheduled for Monday, November 20, 2023, and the second is scheduled for Wednesday, November 22, 2023, at QQ Café, located at 830 San Julian Street in the City of Los Angeles.
The pre-Thanksgiving Dinner is open to youth ages 14-24 and will take place on Thanksgiving Eve, Wednesday, November 22, 2023, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at QQ Café, located at 830 San Julian Street in the City of Los Angeles. More information is available at www.cityx1.org.
In 2009, the City of West Hollywood began partnering with C.I.T.Y. x1 to provide co-sponsorship for its pre-Thanksgiving community events and dinners. Through the years, people in the West Hollywood community and members of the former LGBTQ+ Advisory Board/Lesbian and Gay Advisory Board (now LGBTQ+ Commission) have supported and volunteered at these holiday events with food and meal distribution.
For more than 15 years, C.I.T.Y x1 has remained steadfast in its mission to provide a safe space where youth can access much-needed services and interact with their community and allies. All C.I.T.Y x1 events are alcohol and tobacco-free and are intended to serve as an alternative to the club scene and event organizers anticipate that several LGBTQ+ youth from West Hollywood will attend events.
In 2019, C.I.T.Y x1 held in-person events where approximately 300 meals were served, and events were resumed as in-person in 2022. In 2020 and 2021, the C.I.T.Y x1 events were modified to drop-off only due to COVID-19 restrictions on public gatherings. Despite modifications, more than 500 meals were delivered to people.
For more information, please contact Jasmine Duckworth, City of West Hollywood Community Programs Coordinator, at (323) 848-6559 or at [email protected].
For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, please call TTY (323) 848-6496.
City of West Hollywood’s Human Rights Speakers Series
Presents the WOMEN LIFE FREEDOM Film Festival
Event will Take Place on Tuesday, November 28 at the City’s Council Chambers/Public Meeting Room. FREE; RSVP is Required: http://go.weho.org/hrss
The City of West Hollywood’s Human Rights Speakers Series, in conjunction with Empower Women Media and Women’s Voices Now, will present the WOMEN LIFE FREEDOM Film Festival highlighting short films addressing women’s rights through the lens of Iranian and Farsi-speaking women filmmakers to support pluralism and democracy.
The WOMEN LIFE FREEDOM Film Festival panel discussions are aimed to raise awareness of the human rights issues faced by women in Iran and other parts of the world. The panelists will include Iranian filmmakers, advocates, and experts in the Iranian diaspora who will shine a light on the Iran Freedom Movement, focusing on human rights and democratic change.
The event will take place on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at the City of West Hollywood’s Council Chambers/Public Meeting Room, located at 625 N. San Vicente Boulevard, adjacent to the West Hollywood Library. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and opening remarks will take place at 6 p.m., the film screening will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by the panel discussion. The event is free, but seating is limited. RSVP is required at http://go.weho.org/hrss.
The eruption of nationwide protests in the Islamic Republic of Iran began on September 17, 2022 in response to the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini. Mahsa, from the Kurdish minority, was detained by law enforcement for allegedly failing to adhere to hijab (headscarf) rules and died three days later while in custody. The main slogan of protesters is a call for women’s equality and a stance against religious fundamentalism: “Woman, Life, Freedom.”
The City of West Hollywood’s Human Rights Speakers Series brings together diverse communities to learn about and discuss global, national, and local human rights issues in a supportive environment. The series reflects the City’s commitment to human rights and core value of Respect and Support for People.
For additional information about the Human Rights Speakers Series, please visit www.weho.org/hrss.For more information, please contact Joy Tribble, the City of West Hollywood’s Arts Specialist, at (323) 848-6360 or at [email protected].
For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, please call TTY (323) 848-6496.
West Hollywood’s Restaurants and Bars Showcase
Delicious Specialties in November Eat + Drink Week
Eat + Drink Week Runs from Friday, November 3 through
Sunday, November 12 with Participating Venues Offering
Specially Curated Menu Options: www.eatanddrinkweek.com
The City of West Hollywood boasts some of the best dining and cocktail options in Southern California. The City of West Hollywood is getting the word out that the West Hollywood Travel and Tourism Board, also known as Visit West Hollywood, is teaming up with the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce for the return of its celebrated Eat + Drink Week series, featuring special promotions and unique menus from West Hollywood’s top dining venues this November.
Eat + Drink Week is so packed with offerings that the event has been extended from a seven-day week to a 10-day festival, which kicks off on Friday, November 3, 2023. Participants can expect creative cuisines and innovative craft cocktails to delight foodie tastebuds. All participating restaurants and bars are within the municipal boundaries of the City of West Hollywood. The festival ends on Sunday, November 12, 2023.
West Hollywood is a mecca for foodies seeking unique dishes, crafty cocktails, and uninhibited luxury. From the Sunset Strip to Santa Monica Boulevard and the Design District, West Hollywood is home to Michelin-rated hot spots, bars offering world-class mixology, and various other hidden gems around nearly every corner.
Due to the popularity of Eat + Drink Week, reservations are strongly encouraged. Walk-ins are welcome but are not guaranteed. Find out more and make reservations by visiting www.eatanddrinkweek.com.
During Eat + Drink Week, participating businesses will dazzle taste buds with specially curated menus, discounted prices, and/or unique culinary creations. It’s the perfect opportunity to explore the diverse and eclectic food scene that has long made West Hollywood a foodie paradise. Eat + Drink Week is a not-to-be-missed happening for dining enthusiasts, both tourists and locals alike.
Highlights of Eat + Drink Week 2023 will include:
- Exclusive Menus: Participating restaurants will offer a wide range of cuisines to satisfy every palate and feature exclusive menus created just for Eat + Drink Week.
- Special Prices: Diners can enjoy special prices on signature dishes and multi-course meals, making it the perfect time to try out that restaurant on your “must try” list.
- Unique Offerings: Get ready to savor the unexpected! Some restaurants will unveil limited-time, one-of-a-kind dishes.
- Cocktail Creations: Mixologists will be crafting unique libations to complement your dining experience.
For more information, please visit www.eatanddrinkweek.com.For additional information, please contact the City of West Hollywood’s Business Development Division at (323) 848-6856 or at [email protected].
For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, please call TTY (323) 848-6496.
For up-to-date information about City of West Hollywood news and events, follow @wehocity on social media, sign-up for news updates at www.weho.org/email, and visit the City’s calendar of meetings and events at www.weho.org/calendar. City services are accessible by phone at (323) 848-6400 and via website at www.weho.org. Sign up for the City’s text message platform by texting “WeHo” to (323) 848-5000.