equalaction.org

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Home About Us
About Us

Our Story

Founded in 2008 in the aftermath of Proposition 8’s successful passage, Equal Action works to ensure the needs and voices of queer youth are included in the resurgent LGBTQ grassroots activism and broad social movement. We have organized a number of projects in collaboration with youth ranging from LA’s first ever queer high school youth march, Youth Today: Walking for Equality, to the monthly OUTspoken Sessions, an open mic and performance space for queer youth.

Equal Action is expanding its programs and infrastructure in 2010.  We are in the process of incorporating as an independent 501(c)(3) organization and are currently fiscally sponsored by ¡Adelante! California.
 

Highlights

March planning meeting pic

*   Our youth-planned Youth Today march and rally attracted over 300 participants and received recognition by the City of Los Angeles in 2009 at LA City Hall’s LGBT Celebration. Our upcoming march in October 2010 is supported by a generous grant from the David Bohnett Foundation.

*   Our monthly open-mic night, OUTspoken Sessions, regularly draws audiences of up to 50 high school youth from all over Los Angeles County to Orange County, and even Las Vegas.

*    Pride on the Picket Line, a collaborative political education event with C.L.E.A.N. Carwash Campaign, has brought 10 to 20 queer youth and adults to picket in support of abused car wash workers since June 2009.

 

Board Members

Antoinette S. Reyes, Community Liaison
Antoinette works at PowerPAC and serves on the Board of Equal Action.
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Dahlia Ferlito, Outreach Coordinator
Dahlia graduated Magna Cum Laude from Northeastern University with a B.S. in Human Services. She has a mix of professional experience working with both youth and seniors. As a Long Term Care Ombudsman for WISE and Healthy Aging, she investigated complaints and abuse allegations in Long Term Care Facilities for the Elderly. She worked as an Outreach and Clinic Coordinator at Asian Pacific Health Care Venture where she conducted comprehensive sexual education workshops, provided one on one HIV Test Counseling and Family Planning Counseling as well as coordinated the daily operations of a School Based Mobile Clinic. She joined the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center in February 2010 as an Activities Coordinator in the Senior Services Department.  She coordinates activities such as dinners, field trips, dances and informational workshops for LGBT Seniors. She is a co-founder of Equal Action and was an organizer in LA’s first High School Youth led march against homophobia, “Youth Today: Walking for Equality.”  Dahlia is working toward a Master’s of Public Health degree at California State Northridge.
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Kimler Cruz Gutierrez, Outreach Coordinator
Kimler Gutierrez is employed at Asian Pacific Health Care Venture, Inc., where he works in the Men's Health and Youth Departments as a counselor, trainer, and health educator. He attended UC San Diego as a Bioengineering major and moved on to work in the social welfare field. Kimler is a Pilipino immigrant and proudly resides in Los Angeles, where he continues his social justice work.
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Juan Velasco, Documentarian
Juan Velasco is a freelance photographer interested in using the art of photography to help queer youth express their truths through the visual image. Juan has a long history of working with queer youth throughout Southeastern Los Angeles County, as well as the Greater Los Angeles area. He has volunteered with such organizations as the Christopher Wahl Youth Center in Whittier and the Gay Straight Alliance Network. Juan is currently completing his studies in photography at Pasadena City College. He lives in Los Angeles with his partner, Daniel.
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Stephanie Van, Fund Development Coordinator
Stephanie Van is a proud Angeleno who grew up in Frogtown, moved away for a few years, and then came back home. She works as the Community Outreach Coordinator at Center for the Pacific Asian Family, where she helps to raise awareness about sexual assault and domestic violence in Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Stephanie's interests lie in the intersections of race, gender, sexuality, and class. She also loves to knit, read, walk, and organize!
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Event Calendar

September 2010
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Our Mission

Equal Action is a youth-powered, anti-racist, multigenerational organization that mobilizes the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) community to join the fight for social justice. In supporting and organizing actions for change in overlooked communities, we collaborate with those who work to end oppression in all its forms.

Community

Tuesday Night Project is throwing The Party this July 31st! And don't forget the 1st and 3rd Tuesday open mic! Click Here for info
 
GSA Network offers GSA Leadership Trainings and Summits for youth activists throughout California. They are also available to visit your school if your Gay-Straight Alliance club needs specialized training on specific topics. Check them out