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A message from Christy Mallory, Interim Executive Director & Legal Director

Dear Friend,

It has been a very difficult two weeks. I came to Los Angeles 20 years ago to attend law school at UCLA and start my legal career at the Williams Institute. Los Angeles has been through a lot over those past two decades, but I have to say that I have never witnessed anything of the scope of this tragedy--or the breadth of compassion and generosity from across the county and the world.

Let me start by saying I hope you, your family, and your friends are safe and have the support you need. On behalf of the entire Williams Institute staff, I also want to express gratitude to all of you who have reached out to check on us and offer us your support. That has meant so much to us.

The Williams Institute family, like almost everyone in Los Angeles, has been directly impacted by the fires. One of our staff members lost his home in the Eaton fire. We are so thankful that he and his family are safe. A number of us have been in evacuation areas or too close to those areas for comfort. Others are struggling with health conditions and the poor air quality.

Sadly, Chuck Williams' and Stu Walter's house and most of their neighborhood was also lost in the Palisades fire. The Big Rock community took such good care of Chuck and Stu for many years and throughout Stu's recent passing. Our hearts go out to them as they focus on rebuilding a community that had so much beauty in location and its heart.

We also know that other friends and supporters of the Williams Institute are struggling with homes and neighborhoods devastated by the fires. Please let us know if we can help.

Beyond our immediate community, LGBTQ people more broadly in Los Angeles are struggling with the destruction from the fires. This past year, working with Los Angeles County, the City of Los Angeles, and the TransLatin@ Coalition, we completed our most significant research on LGBTQ communities in Los Angeles. Based on that
research ([link removed]), we know that LGBTQ people in the county are suffering from the impacts of these tragic fires.

The areas most impacted by the fires, LA County
Supervisorial Districts ([link removed])
3 and 5, are home to over 320,000 LGBTQ people. Throughout Los Angeles, LGBTQ people share the same economic vulnerabilities to this crisis as the general population, with over a third living at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. However, compared with non-LGBTQ people, they are more likely to be cost-burdened by housing expenses, to live alone, and to lack the social support they need. They also enter this crisis with poorer health, including depression and rates of disability.

These issues are even more common among
transgender and nonbinary people ([link removed]), younger and older LGBTQ people, and LBTQ women. LGBTQ people will need to be fully supported and included as Los Angeles rebuilds.

We titled one of the main reports on LGBTQ people in Los Angeles County "
% link:[link removed] name="Original URL:[link removed] to follow link." content="Communities of Resilience" %]." We know that our communities come through in crisis--we are ready and willing to help Los Angeles rebuild. Our survey asked what LGBTQ people
uniquely contribute to Los Angeles ([link removed]), and one common response was an outsized willingness to give back to the broader Los Angeles community, including by volunteering and donating to a range of causes. From addressing the housing crisis and food insecurity to working for racial and reproductive justice, LGBTQ people in Los Angeles show up for others, and they are already doing so in response to this crisis.

In the coming months and years, the Williams Institute will support members of our staff and community who have been directly impacted by the fires. As we think about the ripple effects of the fires on employment, housing, and the cost of living in Los Angeles, we will continue to work with the City and County of Los Angeles in conducting research to make sure that LGBTQ people are fully included in rebuilding and recovery. We commit to making sure that LGBTQ people not only come here for the promise that is LA but that they can afford to live, contribute, and thrive here after they arrive.

I know many of you have already started helping in several ways. If you are looking for opportunities to assist, please check out the resources compiled by
UCLA ([link removed])and
Mutual Aid LA ([link removed]).

Thank you for being a part of the Williams Institute's community of resilience.

We need you. We are here to support you. We are in this together.
Christy

The Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law is an academic research institute dedicated to conducting rigorous, independent research on sexual orientation and gender identity law and public policy.


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