by Joe Siegel

The devastating wildfires that struck the Los Angeles area in January destroyed homes and businesses, causing disruptions for hundreds of thousands of people.

LGBTQ media outlets provided plenty of coverage about how the disaster impacted the community and the response from government officials.

The Pride LA published a January 28 story about emergency disaster relief for Los Angeles County. “Gov. Gavin Newsom joined local and state leaders near the fire-ravaged community of Altadena … to sign legislation providing more than $2.5 billion in disaster relief funding. The aid aims to expedite recovery efforts following the devastating Los Angeles hurricane-force firestorm and to support impacted residents, businesses, and schools.”

The legislation, introduced in a special session as ABx1-4 by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino) and SBx1-3 by state Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), allocates funding for emergency response, rebuilding efforts, and restoring fire-damaged school facilities.

The Pride ran another story headlined, “West Hollywood City Council approves emergency measures to house fire evacuees.”

“The West Hollywood City Council unanimously approved an emergency ordinance during a special meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. The ordinance is part of the city’s effort to address housing challenges for evacuees and mitigate the fires’ broader impacts and to reach out a helping hand to those in need.”

On January 15, the Los Angeles Blade reported Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS had awarded $500,000 in emergency grants to organizations that were responding to the Los Angeles wildfires.

“A press release said the Entertainment Community Fund received $250,000, the California Fire Foundation Wildfire and Disaster Relief Fund received $100,000, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank received $100,000, and Project Angel Food received $50,000,” the Blade reported.

The Fight Magazine ran a piece about first responders being honored by the Los Angeles LGBT Center. “In the wake of the devastating wildfires that have swept through the city, Los Angeles LGBT Center CEO Joe Hollendoner issued the following statement: ‘This week we witnessed the absolute heroism of Los Angeles’s finest — our first responders and Fire Department. Their courage and skill was on full display when the Sunset Fire blazed in the Hollywood Hills, drawing near to many of the Center’s locations, including our affordable housing facility for LGBTQ+ seniors. … On behalf of our clients, residents, staff, and supporters, I extend my deepest gratitude to our first responders, particularly the Los Angeles Fire Department … and their fearless leader, Chief Kristin Crowley. Chief Crowley has been the subject of senseless and relentless homophobic attacks by bad actors in the media, despite her proven track record and leadership that have won her the support of this great city. The Center is proud of the LAFD and Chief Crowley.”

The Advocate ran a story by Christopher Wiggins about Nic Arnzen, an out member of the Altadena town council, whose family lost everything in the fires. “For Arnzen, the experience of losing everything has been both personal and politically galvanizing. ‘It’s like an apocalyptic vision,’ he says, describing the surreal devastation that has forever changed his community.”

IN THE NEWS
Volume 26
Issue 12