Chloe Opalo, Supervisor for Community-Engaged Research at the Los Angeles LGBT Center and Trans Wellness Center, was honored with the City of West Hollywood’s Paul Andrew Starke Warrior Award on Wednesday, recognizing her outstanding leadership and frontline work in the fight to end HIV and AIDS.
The Warrior Awards are presented annually to employees and volunteers from local agencies that provide HIV/AIDS and substance abuse prevention and care services. Per the City of West Hollywood, “These individuals embody courage, compassion, and resilience, standing on the frontlines to protect health, restore dignity, and uplift lives.”
“For nearly a decade, Chloe has been on the front lines of health equity and HIV prevention for the LGBTQ+ community—especially trans and nonbinary people,” said Anne-Marie Williams, Chair of the city’s Human Services Commission. “Whether she’s publishing on PrEP persistence for Black and Latinx trans women, or pushing for systems change, she turns community voices into real program design and better outcomes. She doesn’t just close gaps in access. She refuses to accept that those gaps should exist at all.”
Other honorees included Miguel Arevalo, AIDS Healthcare Foundation; Jack Crozier Inman Jr., Life Group LA; Rob Lester, Men’s Health Foundation; Maricor Lopez, APLA Health; Alexandra Magallon, TransLatin@ Coalition; Andrew Ramos, C.I.T.Y x1 Youth Group; and Jim Scott, Being Alive. Russell Ybarra, a pharmacy consultant at Capitol Drugs West Hollywood and officer on the city’s HIV Commission, was honored posthumously with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Opalo was celebrated as an innovator and “deeply grounded leader” who has helped dozens of LGBTQ+ people connect to resources and affirming providers, giving them the ability to access the support they need. “I’ve seen her with clients, and I’ve seen the passion she brings to this research work,” said Sydney Rogers, Senior Manager, Trans Wellness Center. “She deserves this.”
Located in LA’s Koreatown neighborhood, the Trans Wellness Center (TWC) provides comprehensive resources and services for transgender and nonbinary people under one roof. The first-of-its-kind center offers wraparound services for the community, including mental health, gender-affirming care, housing navigation, legal services, a clothing closet, and more.
Founded through a partnership between six local organizations, TWC was conceived and created by community leaders and allies, honoring their lifelong dedication to raise awareness about the needs and the contributions of the transgender community. You can learn more about the Trans Wellness Center here.
Read More
“Trans Youth Deserve Care”: Hundreds Rally Against CHLA Decision to Halt Gender-Affirming Care
Liberation Forever: Read the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s 2025 Zine
‘Trans Pride Forever’: Celebrating 25 Years of Trans Pride LA
