LA Mayor Used Fire Department Money to Fund Queer Occult Interests, ‘Ebony Theatre,’ Trans Cafe, and More

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, a Democrat, has been criticized for her leadership during the wildfires that have devastated large parts of the city.

First, Bass was on an official trip to Africa when the crisis began, thousands of miles away from Los Angeles. Meanwhile, back home, the wildfires were spreading rapidly.

Adding to the criticism, it was revealed that Bass had tried to cut nearly $49 million from the Los Angeles Fire Department’s budget just one day before a major wildfire in Pacific Palisades started. This followed a $17 million budget cut to the department the year before.

If Bass wasn’t prioritizing funding for firefighting in a state constantly at risk of wildfires, many are questioning where the city’s money went instead.

One notable expenditure in the city’s 2024-2025 budget, which Bass herself proposed before it was revised and approved by the City Council, was $100,000 for the “Midnight Stroll Transgender Cafe.” This program aims to provide a safe space for homeless transgender individuals in Hollywood between 9:00 pm and 7:00 am. Critics question whether such programs will matter if fires destroy the city.

Other spending included $8,230 for the Ebony Repertory Theatre, a group that offers a home for artists of color to showcase African-American cultural and artistic achievements. Another $8,670 was allocated to the ONE Archives Foundation, which preserves LGBTQ historical materials at the University of Southern California. The foundation recently held an exhibit highlighting the role of science fiction and occult interests in LGBTQ history.

Critics argue that, instead of focusing on preventing catastrophic wildfires, Bass has prioritized controversial projects, leaving the city vulnerable both physically and financially.