Candex Louie

Culture & Conversation Human Rights Mar 31, 2021, 11:30am Candex Seokyi Louie Gender Justice LA is leading the largest effort to research transmasculine health in Los Angeles County—and demanding action. When it comes to public health, “money follows data,” Cydney Brown said.

There are two stages of response when facing widespread disasters like earthquakes, wildfires or pandemics: relief and recovery. Media outlets capture the drama of “relief” – images of brave firefighters battling flames in the smoldering ruins of a town, or the National Guard delivering supplies to afflicted citizens.

At my very first job, I remember being continually misgendered, sexually harassed and gaslighted while being exploited, paid under the table, expected to work overtime and never compensated for it, and continually asked to work when we were closed, on our own personal time. This was a minimum wage service job. For a long time, I was unaware of how we were being exploited. I just remember feeling constant fear, dread and exhaustion.