BY PAULO MURILLO
WEST HOLLYWOOD
CREATIVE RECOVERY LA CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING
Creative Recovery LA celebrated the grand opening of its outpatient treatment center in West Hollywood at 8714 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 200 (above Fresh Corn Grill). Marquita Thomas, founding president and CEO of the California LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce, joined West Hollywood Mayor John Erickson for a ribbon-cutting ceremony last month. Founder Cory B. Savage was present to receive a Certificate of Recognition from the City of West Hollywood in honor of the grand opening. “Creative Recovery LA is a sanctuary of self-expression and personal growth, and there seems to be an understanding that art and creativity have profound powers of transformation,” said Thomas. “By bringing this space into our community, you have created a space that is compassionate, creative, inspiring, and inclusive.”
SAN DIEGO
OPENLY GAY SAN DIEGO MAYOR WINS SECOND TERM
Incumbent Todd Gloria has secured re-election as mayor of San Diego, defeating challenger Larry Turner, a police officer, by a significant margin. Turner conceded more than a week after election results began to arrive. In his concession, Turner criticized the influence of “special interests and developers” for outspending his campaign. Gloria, the city’s first openly gay mayor, continues to serve as a prominent Democratic leader in California.
LOS ANGELES
LGBTQ+ LEADERS ADDRESS POST-ELECTION CONCERNS
Los Angeles LGBT Center CEO Joe Hollendoner and GLAAD President Sarah Kate Ellis reassured the LGBTQ+ community following the 2024 presidential election, acknowledging fears over the president-elect’s record on LGBTQ+ rights. Hollendoner highlighted milestones, including Delaware’s Sarah McBride becoming the first openly transgender member of Congress and California voters enshrining marriage equality through Proposition 3. He also noted local progress with Los Angeles County’s Measure A, which funds housing and homelessness efforts.
LONG BEACH
CITY OBSERVES TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE WITH FLAG RAISING EVENT
Long Beach marked the 25th annual Transgender Day of Remembrance with a flag-raising ceremony at City Hall and a community event honoring transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals lost to violence and discrimination.
Observed internationally on Nov. 20, the event highlighted the ongoing violence faced by transgender people while celebrating their resilience. This year’s commemoration came amid rising anti-transgender legislation and hate crimes across the United States.
WEST HOLLYWOOD
WEHO CELEBRATES 40 YEARS OF CITYHOOD
The City of West Hollywood celebrated its 40th anniversary of cityhood on Thursday, November 21, 2024. The event took place at the Pacific Design Center’s Silver Screen Theater. While the city was officially incorporated on November 29, 1984, the community celebrated a week early due to the Thanksgiving holiday. The event featured the city’s executive team, staff, elected and appointed officials, and community members at a Cityhood party where people engaged in a conversation about the city’s rich culture and spicy history, including challenges that were overcome and trailblazing initiatives.
