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California Youth & Behavioral Health Advocates: Anti-Trans Rhetoric Harms Youth Mental Health

March 10, 2025

Sacramento, CA – Leading advocates for the behavioral health safety net and youth behavioral health released a joint statement of concern after Governor Gavin Newsom appeared to align himself with anti-transgender rhetoric in his podcast interview with an outspoken opponent of LGBTQ+ rights and transgender affirming care. “As health and LGBTQ advocates who have been…

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LGBTQ & Health Advocates Condemn Federal Executive Order to Restrict Gender-Affirming Care for Trans Youth

January 30, 2025

 If enacted, President Trump’s extreme Executive Order could directly harm the health of tens of thousands of trans youth under the age of 19 in California  SACRAMENTO, CA – Health Access and the CA LGBTQ Health and Human Services Network released the following statements following the January 28, 2025 Executive Order issued by President Trump titled…

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Trump’s Executive Orders and How They Impact LGBTQ+ Communities

January 24, 2025

Dear Community, In the face of the recent Executive Orders signed by President Trump, we share your concerns and acknowledge the profound impact these decisions have on our communities. With that in mind, these EOs are designed to instill shock, fear and panic.  While these moments are challenging, they are also an opportunity to reaffirm…

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LGBTQ+ Elected Officials and Advocates Stand United to Defend and Safeguard LGBTQ+ Rights Following Trump’s Reelection

November 7, 2024

Dear partner, We know that Trump’s reelection brings tremendous fear and anxiety to LGBTQ+ people and their families in California and across the country. A second Trump administration undoubtedly poses significant threats to the LGBTQ+ community, especially transgender people, targeting our fundamental rights with hateful and regressive policies such as those outlined in Project 2025.…

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Sex & The City: An Unlikely Intersection of Tobacco-Control Advocacy, Generational Reconfiguration, and Queerness 

June 26, 2024

A Conversational Piece by OABT-LA Staff, Jess and Victoria  Consider these articles:  Intergenerational Friendships at the Workplace  How Gen Z is Transforming the Workplace  The Carrie Bradshaw Effect – smoking  A content analysis of tobacco content in season 1 of ‘And Just Like That’  What does the show, Sex and the City, have to do…

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Transforming Trans* Health and Community: Prioritizing Gender-Affirming Care for Prevention and Substance Use Support

June 12, 2024

By: Lu Orona (he/they), We Breathe Communications Intern                 In a world where only a limited number of spaces are well-prepared to support the needs and well-being of Transgender, Gender-Diverse, and Intersex (TGI) individuals, accessing affirming care can be a daunting task due to high demand and limited…

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We Breathe: Thoughts on the Rise of Anti-LGBTQ+ Hate

April 3, 2024

Tobacco prevention in California has been a decades-long effort with many successes across the state. One of the most notable successes was the recent statewide ban on flavored tobacco products in 2022. Now the majority of flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes, are banned in all retailers and cities in California.  There have been countless…

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Honoring Expansive Visibility: A Journey of Self-Discovery As a Trans* Man

March 29, 2024

By Lu Lukah Orona March 29th, 2024 In recent years, the visibility within the transgender community has blossomed into a vibrant tapestry of diversity and inclusivity. It’s a beautiful spectrum where identities flourish, transcending conventional boundaries and challenging societal norms. For many, myself included, this visibility has been more than just a recognition—it’s been a…

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Honoring Nex Benedict

February 21, 2024

The tragedy of Nex Benedict is alltoo familiar for many of us. However, we must continue to honor Nex and the life Nex lived. Nex, a nonbinary 16-year-old from Owasso, Oklahoma, enjoyed rock music, gaming, animals and nature, was Choctaw and a 4.0 student. Our hearts ache for the Oklahoma 2SLGBTQIA+ community and for the…

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Embracing Queer Self-Love: A Journey to Authenticity and Empowerment

February 14, 2024

By Ariela Cuellar (she/her), Senior Communications Specialist 2-14-2024  In a world that often imposes narrow definitions of love and relationships, the journey LGBTQ+ people have in navigating platonic and romantic relationships becomes a tapestry woven with threads of self-discovery, connection, and authenticity. My journey has been one of defiance against societal norms, exploration of my…

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