Work produced as a freelance reporter for the Los Angeles Blade, the California’s leading LGBTQ news source.
DTLA Proud gala raises LGBT community visibility downtown “You’re here to look fabulous, donate some money, and have a really good time,” shouted emcee and drag performer Ryan Ong Paolo, more popularly known as Ongina, as she implored all the guests to take out their phones and text in donations. The August 5 DTLA Proud Gala brought 300 people to the Otium in Downtown Los Angeles, selling out for the first time. This year’s gala was not just a general fundraiser, it also helped raise funds for a new LGBTQ community center located Downtown. Originally Published August 7.
The ‘unity’ in community is Pride Los Angeles’ LA Pride Parade is the oldest in the nation, and, some might say, the most diverse, drawing spectators from all corners of the earth, all ends of the gender, sexuality, race, nationality, wealth and age spectrum. The event is designed to attract a diverse audience and bystanders this year will no doubt notice a cross-section of LA represented in those marching and proclaiming their pride. It’s a time of celebration, interpersonal connection, and most of all, remembrance of the trailblazing civil rights activists that came before. But Pride can have complex emotional connections for some local queer residents. Originally published for the LA Blade’s June 7, 2019 issue.
L.A. Pride Roars to Life in 2019 An influx of new high-profile sponsors and a newly established full-time staff helped the Christopher Street West Association, which organizes LA Pride, to achieve one of its must lucrative funding years. Originally published for the LA Blade’s May 31, 2019 Pride issue.