LGBTQ+ Pride, Progress and Perseverance
Learn about the community's achievements, the challenges ahead and find local resources
Los Angeles has been a beacon of acceptance for LGBTQ+ people for decades. The city's diverse LGBTQ+ community has led the nation in the fight for equality for generations —winning landmark civil rights victories along the way.
This year, LGBTQ+ Heritage Month comes as the community faces new and pressing challenges in across the nation. The world is still grappling with the fallout of COVID-19, families up and down the coast are facing increased daily costs from inflation, and the LGBTQ+ community is combating a renewed wave of hostile legislation in dozens of states. Despite these challenges, the community in L.A. and across the globe will come together this June to celebrate the progress made and prepare for the road ahead.
Controller Ron Galperin, L.A.'s first openly gay citywide elected official, presents this story map to honor the historic struggle for LGBTQ+ rights and call for a renewed commitment to the fight that remains.
Ron Galperin and his husband, Rabbi Zach Shapiro, at Galperin's 2017 inauguration.
Rooted in Pride
The Pride movement began as a protest — a community rising up to demand civil liberties and dignity. Throughout the month of June, people across the country celebrate Pride, lifting up LGBTQ+ voices and remembering hard-won gains for queer and trans people.
More than half a century has passed since first documented LGBTQ+ civil rights demonstration in the nation took place at The Black Cat in Silver Lake, Los Angeles, when community members took to the streets to protest police raids of local gay bars in the neighborhood. Since that time, Angelenos have remained at the forefront of the fight for LGBTQ+ civil rights — from hosting the world's first Pride Parade, to the founding of ONE Magazine.
LGBTQ Historic Places in LA
Controller Galperin created the LGBTQ+ Pride & Power story map to give a guided tour through some of L.A.'s most iconic LGBTQ+ sites.
Explore the map on the right by clicking on a dot to learn more about the significance of each historic location.
Challenges Remain
Despite the significant gains made by the LGBTQ+ community to achieve fair treament, recent years have brought renewed attacks, especially targeting trans people.
Increase in Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation
Recent years have been marked by an uptick in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in states across the nation. The Human Rights Campaign called 2021 the “worst year in recent history for LGBTQ+ state legislative attacks,” and there have been 238 anti-LGBTQ+ bills filed in the first part of 2022 alone.
Many of these bills seek to reallow workplace and civil discrimination against LGBTQ+ people, prevent individuals from using the bathroom corresponding with their gender identity and restrict gender-affirming health-care.
Attacking LGBTQ+ Students
Among the many anti-LGBTQ+ bills proposed, restriction of LGBTQ+ issues in education has become a flashpoint.
In the 2021-2022 legislative session, close to 30 bills have taken steps to limit LGBTQ+ inclusive curriculum and prevent teachers and administrators from creating safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth.
This wave of attacks dovetails with a similar rise in legislation seeking to restrict diverse and inclusive curriculum, placing LGBTQ+ students of color in especially vulnerable positions.
Inflation Hits LGBTQ+ Community
As the United States continues to grapple with issues stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic — including a historic rise in prices due to inflation — evidence has emerged that LGBTQ+ people have been particularly impacted.
A recent report from the Williams Institute found that almost one in four LGBTQ+ adults were living below the federal poverty line during the pandemic and 13% reported not having enough food to eat.
In particular, LGBTQ+ people of color and the trans community were significantly more likely than white non-LGBTQ+ adults to face food insecurity during the pandemic.
For help finding locations distributing free food to Californians in need, check out the Controller's Free Food in California map .
Looking Ahead
This year, we celebrate Pride as a joyful act of resistance during an era of transition. While Los Angeles has largely reopened, the impact of the pandemic is still heavy as many Angelenos grapple with loss, illness and financial stress. Despite decades of progress, the freedom to live and love as we are remains under threat.
While there is much work to be done to elimate structural barriers to equity throughout the nation, Los Angeles is committed to ensuring equal access and opportunity for all.
Find Resources
Since 2019, Controller Galperin has maintained a list of resources for LGBTQ+ youth who are unhoused or at-risk of homelessness in Los Angeles. Check out the map below to find organizations offering housing, education and social services to youth throughout the region.
LGBTQ Resource Map
