CITY OF WEST HOLLYWOOD RESOURCE GUIDE The City of West Hollywood is proud to support the transgender community and this resource guide serves to enhance and improve its health and well being.

WEST HOLLYWOOD CITY The City’s Transgender COUNCIL Advisory Board (TAB) meets on Mayor John J. Duran the 1st Wednesday of the month Mayor Pro Tempore John D’Amico at 7pm at West Hollywood City Councilmember John Heilman Hall, Community Conference Councilmemer Lindsey P. Horvath Room, 8300 Santa Monica Blvd., Councilmember Lauren Meister West Hollywood, CA 90069. Call Bonnie Smith at (323) 848-6371 WEST HOLLYWOOD or visit www.weho.org TRANSGENDER ADVISORY BOARD Special Thanks: Drian Juarez, E. Jaye Johnson Mariana Marroquin and Alexis Sanchez – Chair April Saravia Lindsey Deaton Erika De La Cruz For more copies of the Madison Fairchild Transgender Resource Guide, Drian Juarez – Vice-Chair contact the West Hollywood Social Leslie Monroy Services Division at (323) 848-6510 Karina Samala or email [email protected] James Wen ©2015 City of West Hollywood. Revised 07/2018 La mayoría de los servicios están disponibles en español, por favor Photos by Rakeem Cunningham llame a las agencias para obtener más información. Design by Cynthia Tan Transgender Education

TRANSGENDER is a term used to describe people whose identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. with their gender identity. This is called transition. GENDER IDENTITY is a person’s internal, personal sense of As part of the transition process, being a man or a woman (or many transgender people are boy or girl.) For some people, prescribed hormones by their their gender identity does not doctors to change their bodies. fit neatly into those two choices. Some undergo surgeries as well. For transgender people, the But not all transgender people sex they were assigned at birth can or will take those steps, and and their own internal gender it’s important to know that being identity do not match. transgender is not dependent upon medical procedures.

People in the transgender Transgender is an adjective and community may describe should never be used as a noun. themselves using one (or more) of For example, rather than saying a wide variety of terms, including “Max is a transgender,” say “Max is (but not limited to) transgender, a transgender person” or “Max is a transsexual, and non-binary. Always transgender man.” And transgender use the term used by the person. never needs an “-ed” at the end.

Trying to change a person’s gender The above is from the The Gay & identity is no more successful than Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation trying to change a person’s sexual (GLAAD) website and additional orientation – it doesn’t work. So educational information can most transgender people seek to be found at www..org/ bring their bodies into alignment transgender

1 GENDER JUSTICE LA is a grassroots organization building the power of the transgender and gender non-conforming community in LA. Visit www.gjla.org or call (323) 300-8599

TRANSLATIN@COALITION advocates for the specific needs of the trans, non-binary and non-gender conforming Latin@ community with programs based in Los Angeles including a drop-in center, daily meals, ESL classes, life skills group, judo classes, job development/opportunities, Community a computer lab and S.P.U.N.K. (support to survivors of immigration TRANS CHORUS OF detention and incarceration with LOS ANGELES (TCLA) is the largest rental assistance, transportation group of trans and gender non- and food vouchers). Visit conforming people anywhere in the www.translatinacoalition.org world who gather together regularly to raise their voices in song. To sing or volunteer for TCLA visit Employment www.transchorusla.org JVS WEHO WORKS is a partnership with the City of West Hollywood and TRANS LIFE LA was formed to be provides a Career Resource Center a resource for the Transgender| for job seekers who live or work Queer|Gender Non-Conforming in West Hollywood providing community. Their mission is to free job search skills training and make available access to education, job placement assistance. JVS experiences, resources and WeHoWorks also collaborates with opportunities that inspire the employers, and hosts employer empowerment , enrichment and recruitment and is located in the sustainability of all community West Hollywood Library. members. www.translifela.org or www.jvs-socal.org/wehoworks or on Facebook at TransLifeLA (310) 652-6378 2 “Imagine…you feel great about yourself, but when you look Health & HIV down, your body is the opposite sex from who you know Prevention yourself to be. Imagine what it would feel like to live with that Programs discrepancy.” – JAMISON GREEN, APLA HEALTH provides services AUTHOR OF Becoming a Visible Man that promote well-being for the LGBT and other underserved communities and people living with and affected by HIV at various locations in LA County. Main website TRANSGENDER ECONOMIC and contact is EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM www.aplahealth.org or (TEEP) is a program that (213) 201-1600 provides support to those Their programs include: looking for a trans-friendly job, support in in the • C.L.A.S.S. is a unique leadership workplace, developing long- program funded by the Los Angeles term career goals, improving AIDS Coordinator Office that equips employability skills, and transgender women of color with financial coaching. In addition, the personal development tools to TEEP works to address become leaders, live powerful lives, employment discrimination and improve the overall well-being through gender and sexual of the transgender community in diversity trainings for the greater Los Angeles area. Over employers to establish a safer work environment and clear transition guidelines. With the support of the City of West Hollywood and local business partners, TEEP hosts an annual job fair in November with trans-friendly employers. For more information, please call (323) 993-7410, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.lalgbtcenter.org/teep the course of six months a wide “We were all born with special gifts, and we can develop our variety of topics are covered own unique identities without ranging from transgender history labels and achieve greatness and leaders, to financial planning in a society that aspires to and mental health comping skills. embrace individual differences.” Fun events will take place and – KARINA SAMALA food is provided at each meeting. WEST HOLLYWOOD For more information visit TRANSGENDER ADVISORY BOARD Facebook at aplaclass, at class_sisters, or call (323) 329-9715 events, etc. For more information visit www.aplahealth.org or on • Red Circle Project is the Facebook at redcircleproject or call only HIV prevention program (323) 329-9905. in Los Angeles County that specifically provides services to • Trans Connections is a the Native American/Alaska Native comprehensive high-impact HIV Community. Red Circle Project prevention program for Young provides culturally competent Transgender Persons of Color HIV/AIDS resources and referrals, (18-29) who reside in South Los group level interventions for Angeles, South Bay and Long Native Gay/Two Spirit men and Beach. The program is funded by Native transgender individuals, the CDC. and mobile HIV testing to urban Native community at outreach APAIT offers HEART, a peer-led, events such as powwows, cultural skills building intervention designed to reduce HIV risk behaviors among Asian and Pacific Islander transgender women in LA County. The multi-session program seeks to empower transgender women to negotiate safer sex with their partners as well as to enhance their self-esteem and self-worth. For more information call (213) 375- 3830 or visit www.apaitonline.org BIENESTAR provides a variety of free programs for transgender Latina women which provide health, education, mental health services, HIV testing, referrals and CRCS Counseling (Comprehensive Risk Counseling and Services). CRCS is one-on-one counseling that focuses on HIV prevention and creating positive improvement STI screening and treatment, in overall well-being. For more gender-affirming mental health information call (866) 590-6411 ext. services, case management, 402 or visit www.bienestar.org peer and family support services and name and gender marker CEDARS-SINAI TRANSGENDER change support. The CTYHD SURGERY AND HEALTH accepts Medi-Cal, most major PROGRAM offers individualized insurance plans, and a number care for all patients seeking gender- of HMOs and staff are available affirming surgery and transition- to support navigating eligibility related care, including those for medical and drug assistance covered by Medi-Cal and Medicare. programs. Visit www.chla.org/ For more information call (800) the-center-transyouth-health- 233-2771 or visit https://www. and-development or call cedars-sinai.org/programs/ (323) 361-5372. transgender-surgery-and-health. html FRIENDS COMMUNITY CENTER has a number of different THE CENTER FOR TRANSYOUTH programs for HIV and substance HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT abuse prevention. For more (CTYHD) at Children’s Hospital information, see the Friends Los Angeles offers affirming care Community Center listing in this for transgender and gender non- brochure in the Substance Use/ confirming children, adolescents Abuse section. and young adults, and their families. Services include medical HORMONES can be obtained services (including hormones through BAART Programs, a multi- and puberty blockers), HIV and service organization providing

5 drug treatment and rehabilitation. call (323) 936-4949 or visit BAART Beverly is located at 1926 W. www.minorityaidsproject.org Beverly Blvd. and can be reached at (213) 353-1140. SILICONE INJECTIONS are illegal and dangerous and can disfigure LOS ANGELES LGBT CENTER- and be life threatening. The TRANSGENDER HEALTH CARE most common causes of death offers medical providers who immediately following a silicone specialize in the care of transgender injection are from an immune women and men who are response which causes the lungs to considering transitioning, are in the fill with fluid, or from a pulmonary process of transitioning, or have embolism. already transitioned. In addition to a full range of primary care ST. JOHN’S WELL CHILD AND services, the Transgender Health FAMILY CENTER offers a Program providers offer hormone Transgender Health Program with therapy, including education and services including comprehensive management; pre- and post- primary care, HIV/STD testing, surgical care; and trans-sensitive treatment, and counseling; and Pap smears, pelvic exams, and mental health services. For more prostate exams. The program information and clinic locations accepts Medi-Cal, Medicare, most throughout South LA, call major insurance plans, and some (323) 541-1411 or visit HMOs. If you are uninsured, we www.wellchild.org can help you get insurance through Covered California or determine your eligibility for medical and drug assistance programs. www.lalgbtcenter.org/health- services/medical-services/ transgender-health-program

MINORITY AIDS PROJECT has a Transgender Outreach Program that provides HIV/AIDS education and prevention, counseling and referrals as well as various workshops. For more information,

6 HIV/STD Testing

AIDS HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION Various locations (213) 405-5800 www.aidshealth.org

BIENESTAR 4955 W. Sunset Blvd. (323) 660-9680 Legal www.bienestar.org Issues

THE CENTER FOR TRANSYOUTH Most sections of California law HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT prohibit discrimination based on See listing on page 5 a long list of protected classes, including sexual orientation, THE LOS ANGELES LGBT CENTER gender and gender identity. www.lalgbtcenter.org LGBT Californians are protected from discrimination in securing • Jeffrey Goodman Clinic employment and housing, 1625 N. Schrader Blvd. accessing government services (323) 860-5855 and participating in state-funded • Center WeHo activities. LGBT people are also 8745 Santa Monica Blvd. protected under the state’s hate (323) 993-7440 crime law.

THE SABAN COMMUNITY CLINIC Go to the Equality California Various locations website at www.eqca.org for (323) 653-1990 more information. www.sabancommunityclinic.org BATHROOM USAGE Transgender women and men should use the restroom that matches their gender identity, regardless of whether they are

7 LOS ANGELES LGBT CENTER’S LEGAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT can help navigate the process of legally changing your legal name and gender markers. They can also assist in connecting you with an attorney or trans- friendly legal resource to help making a gender transition or guide you through cases such appear gender-nonconforming. as employment discrimination, An informative fact sheet reporting hate crimes/incidents, titled, “Equal Access to Public intimate partner violence/abuse, Bathrooms,” is available as part of immigration, asylum applications, the “Transgender Rights Toolbox” and preparation of various legal located on the Lambda Legal documents. For more information, website at www.lambdalegal.org/ please call (323) 993-7670, email issues/transgender-rights [email protected] or visit www.lalgbtcenter.org/ BET TZEDEK LEGAL SERVICES legal_services provides legal services for community members, with TRANSGENDER LAW CENTER emphasis on benefits advocacy is a national organization that and landlord/tenant issues. For works to change law, policy, and more information, call (323) 939- attitudes so that all people can 0506 (West Hollywood residents live safely, authentically, and free call 323-549-5841) or visit from discrimination regardless www.bettzedek.org of their gender identity or expression. For more information, LEGAL AID FOUNDATION OF call (415) 865-0176 or visit www. LOS ANGELES (LAFLA) provides transgenderlawcenter.org free civil legal aid to those who are underserved in Los Angeles County in areas including housing, public benefits, immigration, domestic “For me, personally and politically, there’s no separating violence and homelessness. Visit my womanness, my blackness, www.lafla.org or call (800) 399- my transness from my me-ness” 4529 – JANET MOCK WRITER AND TRANS ACTIVIST 8 LAW ENFORCEMENT: Mental Health SOME BASIC RIGHTS and Support Adapted from the American Groups Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) BIENESTAR provides support and • YOU HAVE THE RIGHT HIV risk reduction services for the to remain silent transgender community, including (including when asked support groups in Spanish. The about immigration or Transgéneros Unidas (TU) program citizenship status with provides services to the Latina police, immigration transgender community including agents or any other support groups, education and officials). If you wish to intervention programs, educational remain silent, say that forums and social events. For more out loud. information, call (323) 660-9680, or visit www.bienestar.org • YOU HAVE THE RIGHT to a lawyer if you are arrested. Ask for one immediately. • YOU HAVE THE RIGHT to refuse to consent to a search of yourself, car or home. • Stay calm and polite. Do not interfere with or obstruct the police. • Do not lie or give false documents. For additional basic rights regarding the police, visit the ACLU website at www.aclu-sc.org

9 TRANSGENDER SUPPORT AND Shelter EMPOWERMENT GROUPS offer groups for trans women, ASCENCIA provides trans men, and for individuals comprehensive services for adults who identify at various points who are homeless including street along the gender spectrum (e.g., outreach, case management and transgender, gender-queer, shelter. For more information, call gender-nonconforming). For (818) 246-7900 or visit more information, call (323) 860- www.ascenciaca.org 5806, or visit www.lalgbtcenter. org/transgender_support_ WEST HOLLYWOOD HOMELESS empowerment_group INITIATIVE provides on-site outreach and services at the West TRANSITIONS is a weekly peer-led Hollywood Library (625 N. San support and discussion group for Vicente Blvd.) for people in the HIV+ transgender individuals held community who are homeless. at Being Alive on Saturdays from Outreach is coordinated by 10am–noon. Participants will also representatives from direct service have the opportunity to learn about nonprofit organizations including risk and harm reduction and trans- APLA Health, Ascencia, LA LGBT safety. For more information, call Center, JFS/West Hollywood (323) 874-4322, email Comprehensive Services Center, info@ beingalivela.org or visit Safe Refuge, Step Up on Second, www.beingalivela.org and Tarzana Treatment Centers. For more information visit www.weho.org/homeless or call (323) 848-6590

“I am here because when I was If I can be that person for someone young, I wanted very badly to be a else then the sacrifice of my private writer, I wanted to be a filmmaker, civic life may have value.” but I couldn’t find anyone like me in – LANA WACHOWSKI the world and it felt like my dreams DIRECTOR/SCREENWRITER PRODUCER were foreclosed simply because my Excerpted from her speech upon gender was less typical than others. accepting the Human Rights Campaign’s Visibility Award. high-risk transgender women. Substance Use/ Sign up hours are weekdays Abuse from 4:30–7:00pm at Friends Community Center located at FRIENDS COMMUNITY 1419 N. La Brea Ave. CENTER is located on the border of Hollywood and West • WeHo Streets offers HIV/AIDS Hollywood, which is the primary education to gay and bisexual men sex-work district for gay men and and transgender women through transgender women. Several street outreach in the West service programs and research Hollywood area. studies run out of Friends Community Center, including • Social Network HIV HIV and substance abuse Counseling and Testing prevention services to out-of- Program aims to identify and treatment substance users, as test gay and bisexual men and well as methamphetamine abuse transgender women in L.A. treatment. For more information, County who are at high risk of HIV call (323) 463-1601 or visit www. acquisition and transmission and friendscommunitycenter.org who are unaware of their HIV status via a social network methodology. Friends programs include… • TransAction is designed to LOS ANGELES LGBT CENTER reduce high-risk sexual and drug offers a variety of crystal meth behaviors among moderate to support groups for the LGBT

11 residential rehab, outpatient alcohol and drug treatment services. For more information, call (800) 996-1051 or visit www.tarzanatc.org

WEST HOLLYWOOD RECOVERY CENTER hosts 12-step recovery meetings on a daily basis at 626 N. Robertson Blvd. For a list of community facilitated by mental meetings, call (310) 360–4833 or health professionals at locations in visit www.thewhrc.org Hollywood and West Hollywood. Call (323) 993-7448, email [email protected] Youth or visit www.lalgbtcenter.org/ methrecovery THE CENTER FOR TRANSYOUTH

A SAFE REFUGE (formerly known HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT as Substance Abuse Foundation of See listing on page 5 Long Beach), is a supportive and caring recovery community with YOUTH CENTER ON HIGHLAND, a unique home-like environment. a program of the Los Angeles Treatment services include LGBT Center, is a drop-in center residential and outpatient care, for LGBT youth that provides supportive services and aftercare. case management, support For more information, call groups, meals, clothing, laundry, (888) 476-2743 or visit showers, computer access and www.asaferefuge.org an educational/GED preparation center. The Center is located at 1220 N. Highland Ave., and TARZANA TREATMENT CENTER is a behavioral healthcare is open M–F (8:30am–5:30pm) organization that provides high and Sat-Sun (8:30am–4:30pm). quality, cost-effective substance For more information, call (323) abuse and mental health 860-2280, email youthservices@ treatment. Their programs include lalgbtcenter.org or visit www. medical detox (alcohol and drug), lalgbtcenter.org/social_services_ and_housing/youth 12 MOVEMENT MAPPING ADVANCEMENT PROJECT is TRANSGENDER an independent think tank that EQUALITY IN THE UNITED STATES provides rigorous research, insight and analysis that help

WA NH ME speed equality for lesbian, MT ND VT MN OR gay, bisexual and transgender ID SD WI NY MA WY MI RI CT IA PA NE (LGBT) people. Check out the NV NJ OH DE UT IL IN CO WV MD KS VA DC site for “Mapping Transgender CA MO KY NC TN AZ OK Equality in the United States”. NM AR SC

GA MS AL Go to www.lgbtmap.org/ TX LA

FL mapping-trans-equality AK for more information.

HI Percent of LGBT People Living in States at each Policy Tally Level

39% High Policy Tally 9% Medium Policy Tally 16% Low Policy Tally 35% Negative Policy Tally (12 states + D.C.) (7 states) (8 states) (23 states)

I AM, WE ARE is a social marketing campaign, developed by the West Hollywood HIV/Substance Use Prevention Providers, that features diverse groups of LGBT individuals and their allies who are making a positive difference in the community. The campaign targets the LGBT community and directs them to the weholife.org website in order to access resources for HIV prevention, substance use/abuse programming and other health and mental health related services. Twelve different images and tag lines have been created for the campaign over the past three years, including the image shown here. “Our likeness is no longer invisible and our history must not be forgotten, our bodies transcend the limitations of sex and gender and our legacy will continue in the spirits of the youth.”

– EDEN ANAÏ LUNA Manager, Transgender Economic Empowerment Program LOS ANGELES LGBT CENTER