One Day at the Center 

Each year, hundreds of transgender people and their allies gather to commemorate the lives of murdered trans people.

On Friday, the Transgender Day of Remembrance in West Hollywood will include Chaz Bono, who—along with the West Hollywood City Council and other guests—will unveil a bronze plaque inscribed with a poem by Drian Juarez, manager of the Center’s Transgender Economic Empowerment Project.

West Hollywood recently became the first municipality in the nation to have a politically appointed group of advisors on transgender issues, with its re-designated Transgender Advisory Board. Jake Finney, who manages the Center’s Anti-Violence Project, co-chairs the board.

“Violence is part of daily life for transgender people,” Finney says

“Even as the trans community becomes more visible in West Hollywood, Transgender Day of Remembrance is a stark reminder that there’s a lot of work to be done.”

After the installation of the plaque at Matthew Shepard Human Rights Triangle, there will be a march to Plummer Park and a candlelight vigil.

“My girlfriend … pulled the car over and the next thing I knew, I was on the sidewalk with her knee in my chest and her hands around my neck as she slammed my head into the concrete,” says Paula*, a domestic violence survivor who has received counseling through the Center’s STOP DV program. 

“My ex made me feel like without her I was nothing and could do nothing. 

With therapy, support, and the tools I have gained in group counseling, I am positive that I will be just fine all by myself.

I came to the Center broken and have made some huge strides in healing some very deep wounds.

I am much more self-confident and feel much more capable to take on whatever challenges come my way.

I can't even begin to describe all of the ways the Center has helped me.
I come here for everything— individual therapy, group therapy, Learning Curve classes. I love this place!  Without it, I really don't know what I'd do.”

 *For privacy reasons, name has been changed.

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; low-cost counseling and addiction-recovery services;  legal services; health education and HIV prevention programs; transgender services; a cultural arts program and much more.