The 4th Annual Pomona Valley Pride Gayla, themed "PRIDE 365: Honoring our Past, Present, and Future," took place in Pomona, brimming with support for the local LGBTQ+ community. Hosted on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at the Sheraton Fairplex Suites & Conference Center, the event was graced by performances by The Stage Global, showcasing cirque arts that parallel the resiliency and expressive journey of the LGBTQ+ community. Frank Guzman, CEO & Executive Director of Pomona Valley Pride, expressed in a statement obtained by LA County, "We find the performance art represented by The Stage Global is representative of the type of strength, commitment, perseverance, agility, self-discipline, and self-expression required by the LGBTQIA+ community as we move forward successfully in 2025."
The evening also featured key insights from Dr. Monica Lomeli, who heads the Hate Documentation and Analytics team for the County's Commission on Human Relations. Dr. Lomeli's work managing LA County's annual Hate Crime Report has revealed concerning trends, with sexual orientation crimes growing by 20% in 2022 and a record 44 anti-transgender crimes reported. "Our report is one of the oldest and long-standing efforts in the nation to document hate," Dr. Lomeli told LA County.
Notably, the event also honored individuals and organizations contributing to LGBTQ+ advocacy, including artist Hector Silva, human rights advocate Ami Davis, and Our Schools USA (Inland Valley Chapter), whose advocacy was paramount in the recent enactment of the Safety Act (AB1955) by Governor Gavin Newsom. Their tireless work ensures increased security and support for LGBTQ+ students, creating environments where they are respected and safe.
LA vs Hate, an anti-hate initiative led by the County's Human Relations Commission, plays a critical role in challenging the normalization of hate while providing support to those affected by hate acts. As Dr. Lomeli added, the platform allows for hate incidents to be reported through LAvsHate.org or by dialing 211, offering anonymity and support from community-based organizations. This service is a beacon for those who may hesitate to share their experiences, recognizing the difficulty in entrusting their stories to others, particularly law enforcement.
Pomona Valley Pride, founded in 2019, stands as a non-profit champion for the LGBTQIA+ rights, continuing their work through advocacy, arts, education, and various support programs. For more information about this organization and its efforts, readers can visit their official website.
