The City of West Hollywood’s Human Rights Speakers Series will host a panel discussion: Challenges for LGBTQ+ People in the Former Soviet Union on Monday, November 25, 2024, at the City of West Hollywood’s Council Chambers/Public Meeting Room, located at 625 N. San Vicente Boulevard. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and opening remarks will take place at 7 p.m. followed by the panel discussion. The event is free, but seating is limited. RSVP is requested at https://HRSS-2024Nov25.eventbrite.com

The Human Rights Speakers Series event will focus on the diverse challenges facing LGBTQ+ communities across the former Soviet Union. The panel will address the challenges faced by asylum seekers and recent immigrants from the region, covering several key topics impacting Eastern Europe and neighboring areas. Discussions will include progress in the Baltics, increasing repression in Russia and Georgia and its effects on civil rights, emerging opportunities in Armenia amid regional changes, the humanitarian impact of the war in Ukraine, and pathways to asylum in the United States.

The panel discussion participants will include Tess Feldman, Los Angeles LGBT Center; Eugene Maysky, Coalition for Economic Survival; and LGBTQ+ Russian-Speaking Asylum Seekers. West Hollywood City Councilmember John Heilman will moderate the discussion.

The City of West Hollywood’s Human Rights Speakers Series brings together diverse communities to learn about and discuss global, national, and local human rights issues in a supportive environment. The series reflects the City’s commitment to human rights and core value of Respect and Support for People. For additional information about the Human Rights Speakers Series, please visit www.weho.org/hrss.

For more information, please contact Joy Tribble, the City of West Hollywood’s Arts Specialist, at (323) 848-6360 or at jtribble@weho.org. For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, please call TTY (323) 848-6496.

For up-to-date information about City of West Hollywood news and events, follow @wehocity on social media, sign-up for news updates at www.weho.org/email, and visit the City’s calendar of meetings and events at www.weho.org/calendar. West Hollywood City Hall is open for walk-in services at public counters or by appointment by visiting www.weho.org/appointments. City Hall services are accessible by phone at (323) 848-6400 and via website at www.weho.org. Receive text updates by texting “WeHo” to (323) 848-5000.

For reporters and members of the media seeking additional information about the City of West Hollywood, please contact the City of West Hollywood’s Public Information Officer, Sheri A. Lunn, at (323) 848-6391 or slunn@weho.org.