Right off Sunset Boulevard, a vibrant art gallery bustled with supporters who came out to support transyouth, specifically the healthcare dedicated to this underserved population. Bottega Lorenzetto Art Gallery served as host, the mood was celebratory, and those in attendance honored the important work of Dr. Johanna Olson-Kennedy who serves as the medical director of The Center for Transyouth Health and Development at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
The studio space was filled to capacity with attendees supporting both the health care of trans youth and artist Marco Lorenzetto’s commitment to this important work. Those in attendance could retrieve buttons or name-tags indicating their preferred pronouns: she/her, he/him, they/them which provided a safe space and atmosphere of inclusivity.
Karey Burke, ABC Network President, and Jane Cha Cutler, creator of Project Runway, hosted the event and addressed the crowd regarding the importance of trans youth healthcare services. Jane Cha Cutler spoke of the lack of healthcare for the trans youth community, but also how fortunate it was to have Dr. Olson-Kennedy working in Los Angeles. Specific centers for trans youth care are few and mostly located in larger, more cosmopolitan cities.
The presentations became personal as host Karey Burke spoke of her struggle obtaining services for her son who is transgender. Burke stated when her son came out, she had no concept where to obtain the specific services he required. Fortunately, she was referred to Dr. Olson-Kennedy’s center, and her son began receiving regular and dedicated treatment. Burke’s son has been a patient of the clinic for seven years, and she credits the work of Dr. Olson-Kennedy as not only improving the quality of her son’s life but likely saving it as well.
Dr. Olson-Kennedy referenced the dire need for such services, as there are few areas in the country dedicated to trans youth healthcare. Many patients in underserved areas continue to travel long distances to receive appropriate and targeted treatment. Fundraisers like Saturday’s are exceedingly important as Dr. Olson-Kennedy stated that grant funding is often unpredictable, complicating the administration of comprehensive medical care. The Center for Transyouth Health and Development provides not solely medical care but all-encompassing treatment including psychological services, HIV prevention, and community advocacy.
Dr. Olson-Kennedy further promoted the need for trans youth care by touting the changes she has witnessed in those she cares for. “Patients have gone from being selectively mute to talking, from taking multiple psychiatric medications to none, and from failing out of school to attending college.” She lauded former patients who now have graduated, gone on to graduate school and have become professionals and doctors as well.
Artist Marco Lorenzetto
The event was a fabulous pairing of the creative and medical fields with the artist donating a portion of all print and original sales to the center. Lorenzetto’s art is a dichotomy of sharp geometric shapes contrasted with flowing organic patterns in soothing color tones or muted grays. Artist Marco Lorenzetto stated he wanted to get involved as he had friends affiliated with the center and that his figurative work for sale reflected growth and transformation.
Caitlyn Jenner and Karey Burke
Caitlyn Jenner was in attendance to offer support for such a deserving mission. She posed for pictures with KareyBurke, Jane Cha Cutler, Dr. Olson-Kennedy, and fans of her achievements and her advocacy for the trans community.
Sunset Boulevard is known as a hub for for entertainment and excitement, especially on Saturday nights, and tonight this excitement was paired with advocacy for a deserving mission.
*People in the feature image are Karey Burke, Caitlyn Jenner, Johanna Olson-Kennedy MD, and Jane Cha Cutler.