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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…

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…

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…

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…

By: Ryan Oda (he/him/his), We Breathe Program Coordinator with the CA LGBTQ HHS Network Yellowing teeth. Wrinkling skin. A dry as hell cough. We’ve all seen the ads showing the dangers of smoking cigarettes. In middle school, our teachers would pass out red ribbons and “D.A.R.E.” us to be drug-free. “Just Say NO” still lingers…

Dear Network Members, First and foremost, HAPPY PRIDE! These last few weeks we have seen how corporations ‘rainbow’ themselves during Pride Month to capitalize on our liberties and identities. We have also seen how these same corporations backtrack when anti-LGBTQ folx cause a ruckus and force the hand of these businesses such as the LA…

The California LGBTQ Health and Human Services Network is pleased to be recognized by the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as a Healthy People 2030 Champion. As a Healthy People 2030 Champion, The CA LGBTQ HHS Network has demonstrated a commitment to…

 The San Joaquin Pride Center is hosting a week filled with various community events to help promote LGBTQ+ mental health during the last week of March – also known as National LGBTQ Health Awareness Week! The San Joaquin Pride Center is an LGBTQ+ Task Force for #Out4MentalHealth–   a statewide project hosted by the CA LGBTQ…

The California LGBTQ Health and Human Services Network, a statewide coalition working to advance LGBTQ health equity, is excited to announce the promotion of Isaias Guzman as the Network’s Manager of Programs. Isaias was formerly the Network’s Organizer and LGBTQ Program Coordinator and has been integral to the work of the organization for over 4 years.…

Written by Nicole Kristal for Bi+ Health Awareness Month “Get a new f**king career.” It wasn’t the phrase I expected to hear from our lesbian psychotherapist, but it wasn’t entirely unexpected either. My girlfriend and I had seen *Susan for two years to help improve our communication skills and address unresolved trauma from past relationships.…