West Hollywood, California (Thursday, August 13, 2009) - Only 25 years young, the West Hollywood again takes the lead in moving human rights advocacy forward by creating the first-ever official municipal advisory body focusing on transgender people. 
Photo by WeHo News. |
The West Hollywood City Council recently re-designated the Transgender Task Force to become the first-of-its-kind Transgender Advisory Board.
“As one of the nation’s leaders, focused on fighting discrimination of any kind, the City of West Hollywood recognizes the issues and concerns facing our transgender community,” said Councilmember Jeffrey Prang.
The Transgender Advisory Board will collaborate heavily with community organizations and service agencies to serve the unique needs of the transgender community.
The primary focus of the Transgender Advisory Board - inherited from the Transgender Task Force is to increase employment opportunities in the transgender community; HIV/AIDS prevention; housing equality and community education of City resources available to the transgender community.
West Hollywood Councilmember John Duran and Councilmember Jeffrey Prang (l). Photo by WeHo News. |
“We created the first Transgender Task Force to provide valuable insight to our City’s leaders and our community. In formalizing our Transgender Task Force into a permanent board in our government structure, we are leading what I hope will be a national model advocating for the rights of transgender Americans,” Councilmember Prang said.
Transgender is defined as relating to, or being a person who identifies with or expresses a gender identity that differs from the one which corresponds to the person's sex at birth.
The City of West Hollywood has a twenty-five year history of recognizing the core value of respect and support for people.
“The City of West Hollywood was the first city in the country to take a stand against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and it is consistent with our core values to elevate this Task Force to the level of Advisory Board,” said West Hollywood Councilmember John Duran.
West Hollywood was barely born in 1984 when the Mayor and gay activist Morris Kight marched into Barney’s Beanery to take down the offensive ‘Fagots (sic) Keep Out?” sign that hung behind the bar. Photo by WeHo News. |
Established in 2001, as a special advisory body within the City’s Lesbian and Gay Advisory Board, the Transgender Task Force has effectively advocated for policies that improve the quality of life for transgender persons living, working or visiting the City of West Hollywood.
“Our transgender brothers and sisters have taught all of us about compassion and the difficulties faced by individuals who transition from one gender to another. Thus, it is imperative that we continue to support their trailblazing educational work and advocacy efforts,” Mr. Duran said.
Over the years, the City of West Hollywood has established programs to assist transgendered persons including the creation of a Hate Crime/Domestic Violence Specialist position to handle hate crime and domestic violence educational and outreach programming.
Additionally, a resolution to accept in concept the creation of a domestic violence shelter/transitional housing serving the needs of the lesbian, gay and transgendered community; one in support of “The Matthew Sheppard Hate Crimes Prevention Act;” a resolution in support “The Gwen Araujo Justice for Victims Act;” and a resolution recognizing an annual Transgender Day of Remembrance.
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