The BIENESTAR Van Nuys center sponsored a carne asada bbq in Magnolia Park on Saturday, June 2nd.  Clients, volunteers, staff, family and friends enjoyed good food, sports, and games. 

We kicked off the 2007 Pride Festival Season with a strong presence at the annual Long Beach Gay Pride Parade.  Each year we look forward to participating in Pride events and representing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Latinos in the celebration of our community.

BIENESTAR clients, staff and volunteers went to Capitol Hill to advocate for a legal protection from discrimination in employment for transgender individuals.  Over a dozen BIENESTAR representatives joined more than 100 participants from around the country in the advocacy and education day sponsored by the National Center for Transgender Equality. 

BIENESTAR’s presence ensured the inclusion of Latina Transgender women, who like other transgender people of color, often endure the effects of employment discrimination, including homelessness, at a higher rate due to their already economically disenfranchised social reality.

The advocates called on their representatives in the United States Congress to support the inclusion of transgender individuals in the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). Currently, no federal law protects individuals from discrimination based on their gender identity.  This leaves transgender individuals at risk of being harassed and losing their jobs.  Without job security, transgender individuals often struggle to meet their basic needs.  The Employment Non-Discrimination Act, inclusive of gender identity, would make it illegal to discriminate in the hiring, firing or promotion of an individuals based on their gender identity, providing transgender individuals with protection in the workplace.

“Everyone has the right to be considered for a job they are perfectly qualified to do. As a Latina and a transgender woman, I shouldn’t have to worry about discrimination at work based on my ethnic or gender identity. They are both very much a part of who I am and both need to be equally protected by our federal government,” said Brenda Gonzalez, Health Educator for BIENESTAR.

This year BIENESTAR co-sponsored the successful Queer Youth Advocacy Day.  BIENSTAR youth joined hundreds of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer youth and allies to advocate for protection against harassment and discrimination in California schools.  Participants were greeted by elected officials, rallied on the lawn of the Capitol, and had in-person meetings with legislators representing their hometowns.