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LOS ANGELES, CA (June 03, 2022)<\/strong>\u00a0– Led by Los Angeles City Councilmember O\u2019Farrell, the Los Angeles City Council today kicked off its annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Heritage Month celebration, commonly known as \u201cPride Month,\u201d in the City of Los Angeles.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Councilmember O\u2019Farrell, one of the City\u2019s three openly gay elected officials, organized this year\u2019s LGBT Heritage Month programming, which celebrates the return of the official LA Pride Parade to Hollywood, in addition to spotlighting the community\u2019s unique role in Los Angeles\u2019 queer history and honoring LGBT advocates who are making a lasting impact on our culture:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Christopher Street West (CSW), the organizer of the annual LA Pride Parade<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Sharon-Franklin Brown, CSW, Board President<\/p>\n<\/li>\n The Midnight Stroll, an innovative outreach program focusing on Hollywood\u2019s LGBTQ+ unhoused community, launched and coordinated by Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Team (APAIT)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAs we welcome Pride back to Hollywood and the 13th Council District, it\u2019s a privilege to recognize and work with so many LGBTQ+ advocates and organizations who have played – and continue to play – an outsized role in Los Angeles and Hollywood\u2019s queer community,\u201d said Los Angeles City Councilmember Mitch O\u2019Farrell.\u00a0 \u201cChristopher Street West and APAIT represent the very best of the LGBTQ+ community, embodying our resilience, courage and pride. I\u2019m thankful for their work to advance justice and inclusivity in Hollywood, Los Angeles and beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOn behalf of Christopher Street West, we are honored to be recognized for our work to uplift Los Angeles\u2019 LGBTQ+ community\u201d said Sharon-Franklin Brown, President of the Board for Christopher Street West. \u201cWe are thrilled to welcome Pride back to Los Angeles this year, as well as its historic home in Hollywood, and can\u2019t wait to celebrate with all of you on June 12.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThis recognition means everything for APAIT and our outreach providers,\u201d said Jazzmun Crayton, Associate Director of APAIT. \u201cOur work to house and move every unhoused individual onto a pathway of wellness will continue and won\u2019t stop until every member is met with love, kindness and acceptance.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The program also included virtual remarks<\/a> from Los Angeles City Controller Ron Galperin, a virtual performance<\/a> from the Trans Chorus of Los Angeles, as well as special artwork<\/a> created by youth artist Nathan Sierra and commissioned by Councilmember O\u2019Farrell to amplify this year\u2019s LGBT Heritage Month theme of \u201cReturn to Pride.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As part of the month-long celebration, the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs will also produce its official 2022 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Heritage Month Calendar and Cultural Guide, featuring work by local artists.<\/p>\n\n