Fierce resistance and radical care. An interview with three local mental health advocates
BY MARK AIREL | PHOTO BY ZIV SADE
EMMY OLEA
Pioneering Inclusivity for Trans Futures
For Emmy Olea (she/her), Director of Business Development and Marketing at Breathe Life Healing Centers in Los Angeles, her life’s work stems from her own recovery journey. Sober since 2007, Emmy learned a vital truth: “We can’t keep it unless we give it away.” This ethos fuels her dedication to accessible care, especially for the queer community.
Emmy honors the “courageous pioneers” before her, emphasizing the ongoing duty to support future generations. Yet, she notes the growing challenges. “The current political climate has restricted vital resources, disproportionately impacting trans individuals,” Emmy explains. “Rising anxiety and fear due to discriminatory policy rollbacks make affirming trans lives more critical than ever.”
A cornerstone of Emmy’s career has been her proactive approach to cultural shifts. As often the first openly trans woman in her workplaces, she didn’t just exist; she instigated change. Emmy spearheaded trans sensitivity training, building foundations of understanding and safety. “It was essential to ensure trans individuals who followed me would find truly inclusive environments.”
Emmy’s advocacy fiercely champions gender-affirming care. “As a queer community, we must amplify trans voices and demand unfettered access to this essential care,” she asserts. “Staying informed and engaged with policies impacting trans lives is paramount. It’s how we protect each other, leaving no one behind.”
BECK GEE
Building Sanctuaries of Radical Love for Trans Lives
Beck Gee (he/him), CEO of Breathe Life Healing Centers in West Hollywood, brings a profound personal understanding to his mission. Growing up queer and closeted in a small town, Beck turned to substance use to cope. Now, his focus is clear: “creating spaces where queer and trans folks, alongside allies, can show up authentically and heal.”
Nearly two decades sober, Beck’s commitment is deeply personal. “I want to be the person I needed when I was young,” he explains. “Trans people deserve more than survival; they deserve to thrive, to live lives that are truly magical.”
Beck underscores the urgent need for action in the current political climate. “The surge in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and violence, particularly targeting trans people, is terrifying,” he states. “This climate of fear has a devastating impact on trans mental health. We’re seeing a surge in crises and a desperate need for affirming care. The stakes for our trans community have never been higher.” This necessitates “fiercely protective, radically loving” spaces.
Leading Breathe LHC, Beck champions “community care” as vital support. “Healing isn’t solitary,” he emphasizes. “Showing up for each other with honesty and resilience is crucial, especially for our trans siblings facing disproportionate adversity.” He calls for unwavering commitment to trans lives, reminiscent of the AIDS crisis. “We need to show up, help others, and speak out!”
Beck’s powerful message to the queer community is a call for active allyship: “Move beyond passive solidarity to active advocacy for our trans siblings. Amplify trans voices, share their stories, support their work, hire them, and protect them. Challenge transphobia relentlessly. Educate yourselves and others. Critically, support trans-led organizations, and center Black and Brown trans voices. Practice deep, ongoing community care. Advocacy for trans lives is love in action.”
MIGUEL PALACIOS
Illuminating Trans Erasure at Intersections
Miguel Palacios (they/name), a non-binary advocate, brings a vital perspective shaped by navigating a strict upbringing and their current advocacy for older adults. Their journey highlights the urgent need for authentic visibility for all marginalized identities. “My work is rooted in my own quest for belonging,” Miguel shares. “The desire to be seen as inherently worthy of love.”
Miguel’s focus on older adults reveals another layer of marginalization. “The invisibility faced after 55 is an injustice,” they state. “Visibility isn’t just being seen; it’s about affirming the value of every life stage.”
Reflecting on the political climate, Miguel emphasizes the compounded challenges faced by trans women of color. “Societal pressures force trans women of color into deeper invisibility, denying them recognition and respect,” Miguel explains. “Their struggle for survival within oppressive systems is often unseen.”Miguel points to disparities within the LGBTQ+ community, where resources often overlook trans women of color. “The lack of support for their addiction and mental health needs is heartbreaking.” For Miguel, their own recovery is intrinsically linked to advocating for visibility and equitable care for all marginalized communities.
RESOURCES
LA LGBT Center—Trans Wellness Center
www.lalgbtcenter.org
Trans Latin@ Coalition
www.translatinacoalition.org
Breathe Life Healing Centers
www.breathelifehealingcenters.com
Trans Lifeline
https://translifeline.org
Transgender Law Center
www.transgenderlawcenter.org
THE BLACK CAT
Beck Gee on the photo shoot location
“We chose The Black Cat in Los Angeles as our photoshoot setting because it’s a powerful symbol of queer resistance and a meaningful backdrop for today’s trans movement.
On New Year’s Eve 1966, The Black Cat was violently raided by police. In response, the LGBTQ+ community organized one of the first documented protests for queer rights in the U.S. there in February 1967—over two years before Stonewall. This act of defiance helped lay the groundwork for the fight for equality in Los Angeles and beyond.
By choosing this location, we honor that legacy and acknowledge the ongoing struggles trans people face today. The Black Cat reminds us that the fight for queer and trans liberation isn’t new; it’s part of a long history of resistance, courage, and community power.
We’re also mindful of the setting. While The Black Cat is a bar, our presence here reflects the truth that healing and recovery don’t have to look one way. Many of us working in mental health and substance use treatment understand that community, connection, and storytelling can happen in all kinds of spaces, including those historically significant to our movement. We’re not drinking, but we are serving. Sober and fabulous, darling.
Being here is about reclaiming joy, visibility, and pride in who we are. Capturing trans beauty, strength, and resilience in a space like this is an act of reverence. We’re proud to stand in the legacy of those who came before us and contribute to a future grounded in justice, healing, and authentic expression.”
