Media Contact:
Joe Hui
Director of Communications
jhui@aplahealth.org
213.201.1342
10.3.2023
In response to the passing of U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who died on September 29th, APLA Health CEO Craig E. Thompson issued the following statement:
“Last week, we lost an ally and longtime LGBTQ+ advocate. Sen. Feinstein fought long and hard to raise awareness of the AIDS epidemic in Congress and worked tirelessly to promote legislation protecting our community. We are comforted by the fact that Laphonza Butler will follow in her legendary footsteps when she reports to the Senate. Butler brings a unique and multidimensional perspective to the table, and we are excited to see her stand up at the national level.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom chose Laphonza Butler to fill Sen. Feinstein’s seat on October 1st. Butler will be the first Black lesbian to serve in Congress and the first openly LGBTQ+ senator to serve from California.
Throughout her career, Laphonza Butler has been a strong voice for working families, LGBTQ+ rights and a champion for increasing the number of women in elected office. Butler was also named a “Champion of Change” by President Barack Obama.
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APLA Health (formerly AIDS Project Los Angeles) restores dignity and trust within underserved communities by providing world-class LGBTQ+ empowering healthcare, HIV specialty care, food, housing, and other essential support services. Since our founding in 1983, APLA Health has remained steadfast in our commitment to ending the HIV epidemic in our lifetime. We operate eight Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) locations in Los Angeles County, serving more than 19,000 people annually, regardless of ability to pay. Our list of comprehensive services includes LGBTQ+ primary care, dental care, behavioral healthcare, HIV specialty care, and Out Here Sexual Health services (PrEP, STD screening & treatment, DoxyPEP, and PEP). For people with HIV, our wraparound support services include housing assistance through the Alliance for Housing & Healing and nutritional support via the Vance North Necessities of Life Program, the largest food pantry in the United States for people with HIV, distributing over 800,000 meals annually. APLA Health’s annual fundraisers include AIDS Walk LA — the world's first and oldest AIDS Walk — and Best in Drag Show. We are leaders in advocating for policy and legislation at the local, state and Federal levels that positively impact the LGBTQ+ and HIV communities. For more information, visit aplahealth.org.
