Trans Latina Coalition and community speakers urge council to fund $4M TGI Wellness and Equity Initiative
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Summary
Multiple public commenters, including representatives of the Trans Latina Coalition and Angels of Change, urged the council to place a $4 million TGI Wellness and Equity Initiative on the budget agenda and to fund transgender- and gender-expansive-led organizations. Speakers described urgent needs for housing, safety and culturally affirming services.
During a prolonged public-comment period, multiple speakers representing the Trans Latina Coalition, Angels of Change and TGI-led groups asked the council to place the TGI Wellness and Equity Initiative on the city genda and to allocate $4,000,000 in the upcoming budget cycle.
Claudia, identifying herself with the Trans Latina Coalition, requested the council's support "of the wellness and equity initiative that gives the TransLatina Coalition $4,000,000 into investment in the wellness of trans lives." Several other speakers, including members of Angels of Change and organizers leading the proposal, described the initiative as a two-year pilot to invest in TGI-led organizations and coordinated, affirming care citywide.
Speakers tied the funding ask to concrete needs: inclusive staffing and safety protocols for shelter and safe-parking programs, culturally competent health services, and targeted support for Black and brown trans women and immigrant TGI community members who speakers said face elevated homelessness and violence risks. Jackie Fila (Hotel Association) and the LA Area Chamber of Commerce also testified earlier on different items, urging council caution on tax increases and other measures in separate comments.
Council response: Members acknowledged the public comments and committee engagement but did not adopt funding in this meeting; speakers asked that the TGI Wellness and Equity Initiative be placed on the council genda for budget consideration.