Airport Marina Counseling Service (AMCS) has announced two outstanding guest speakers who will speak at its annual LGBTQ Pride Fest – a free community event aimed at reducing stigma around mental health and raising awareness of low-cost or free mental health services in Los Angeles. Pride Fest will be held from 12 to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 17 at the Drollinger Family Stage on the Loyola Marymount University campus in Westchester and will include special presentations from Yuè Begay (she/her), public health consultant and Co-Chair of Indigenous Pride LA; and Gerald Garth (he/him), Executive Director of the AMAAD Institute (Arming Minorities Against Addiction & Disease) and President of CSW/LA Pride.
"We are so excited to have such incredible guest speakers at LGBTQ Pride Fest," said Dr. Mimi Hoang (she/her), psychologist, longtime LGBTQ advocate, and Program Coordinator of AMCS's LGBTQIA+ Affirmative Therapy Center, who will be the host and coordinator of the annual Pride Fest event. "Both Yuè and Gerald are important figures in Los Angeles' LGBTQ community, and we look forward to having them share their unique experiences and perspectives."
The family-friendly outdoor event, funded by the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health in conjunction with the Take Action LA program administered by CalMHSA, Pride Fest will feature fun and educational "wellness stations" facilitated by therapists from AMCS's LGBTQIA+ Affirmative Therapy Center, notable guest speakers, free food trucks, music, a photobooth, gift bags, face painting and more.
Established in 2018 as one of the few centers of its kind in Los Angeles, AMCS's LGBTQIA+ Affirmative Therapy Center offers individual and group psychotherapy to the LGBTQ community on a sliding scale provided by diverse therapists who are culturally competent and LGBTQ affirmative.
Pride Fest is open to the public and all members of the LGBTQIA+ community and allies are welcome to attend. The goal of the event is to bring the community together to celebrate Pride, create a fun, safe, and supportive space for individuals to connect with mental health services and learn about the many resources available to them.
To register for the event, please visit http://www.AMCSPRIDEFEST.eventbrite.com
For more information about Pride Fest, please visit the AMCS website at http://www.AMCShelps.com.
About Yuè Begay (she/her):
Yuè Begay is of the Nomadic People Clan, born for the Towering House Clan. Her maternal grandfather is of the Black Sheep Clan and her paternal grandfather is of the Near the Water's Edge Clan. In this way, Yuè is a Navajo transgender woman. She was originally from Kayenta, AZ (Navajo Nation) and is Co-Chair of Indigenous Pride LA. Yuè works as a freelance graphic artist, website designer, and consultant in the public health field. She graduated from California State University, Long Beach, and currently lives in Los Angeles. http://www.yuebegay.com
About Gerald Garth (he/him):
Gerald Garth, MBA, serves as Executive Director of the AMAAD Institute (Arming Minorities Against Addiction & Disease) and President of CSW/LA Pride. Other roles include co-chair of the Black Caucus of the Los Angeles Commission on HIV, facilitator of learning and practice for African American Infant and Maternal Mortality Initiative (AAIMM), and the first Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the Los Angeles LGBT Center. http://www.geraldgarth.com
Dr. Mimi Hoang (she/her):
Dr. Mimi is an internationally-recognized psychologist, educator, and author specializing in the LGBTQ+ and Asian Pacific Islander communities. Since the 1990s, she has co-founded three bi+ organizations - the Los Angeles Bi+ Task Force, amBi LA, and Fluid at UCLA. Dr. Mimi's steadfast leadership earned her multiple invitations to the White House and being named "One of the Most Significant Women in the Bisexual Movement." She currently works as the Program Coordinator of the LGBTQIA+ Affirmative Therapy Center at Airport Marina Counseling Service. http://www.drmimihoang.com
About Airport Marina Counseling Service (AMCS):
AMCS is a nonprofit community mental health clinic located in Westchester that provides affordable and accessible mental health services to individuals and families in the Los Angeles area. With over 60 years of experience, AMCS offers a wide range of mental health services, including individual, family, and group therapy, as well as specialized services for children, adolescents, and older adults. For more information, visit http://www.AMCShelps.org.
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