LA County cut fire budget while heavily investing in DEI and woke initiatives: 'Midnight Stroll Transgender Cafe'

As the state prepared for one of its most devastating wildfires, Los Angeles officials cut millions from their fire department's budget, while simultaneously allocating hundreds of thousands of dollars to fund programs such as a "Gay Men’s Chorus" and transgender homeless housing.

This week, deadly fires swept across Southern California, exacerbated by strong winds that led to the destruction of approximately 10,000 homes and businesses. Following the failure of fire hydrants and the burning of homes to the ground, residents in the affected areas began to criticize the Democratic-led leadership in the state, who had cut the Los Angeles Fire Department's (LAFD) funding by $17.6 million just months prior.

Despite the reduction in department funding, a review of the L.A. County budget by Planet Chronicle Digital revealed thousands of taxpayer dollars allocated to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and programs that provide syringes to the homeless.

The "Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles" received $14,010 in funding this year, with the goal of creating musical experiences that solidify their position as a leader among LGBT and performing arts organizations.

The Homeless and HIV Program received an additional $190,000, which includes a "syringe exchange" program that provides sterile syringes to homeless drug addicts.

County funds were allocated $100,000 for Juneteenth celebrations and $13,000 for "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Heritage Month Programs."

The Civil + Human Rights and Equity Department received $100,000 to establish a "Midnight Stroll Transgender Cafe" in Hollywood, which will provide housing for homeless transgender individuals.

The county allocated $13,000 for "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Heritage Month Programs" and $4.5 million for the installation of electric vehicle (EV) chargers. Additionally, $250,000 was set aside for "equity and inclusion" under the General City Purposes appropriations.

For the second year in a row, the LAFD budget was surpassed by the funding allocated for homelessness, as stated in the report.

State officials have been criticized by celebrities, including actress Sara Foster, amid the Los Angeles-area fires.

"California has the highest taxes, our fire hydrants were empty, our vegetation was overgrown, and our reservoirs were emptied by our governor to save fish. Our fire department budget was cut by our mayor, but thankfully drug addicts are receiving their drug kits. Foster wrote on X, "@MayorOfLA @GavinNewsom RESIGN. Your far left policies have destroyed our state and our party."

L.A. County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone stated on Wednesday that "the current number of firefighters in L.A. County is insufficient to handle four fires of this magnitude" following the funding cut.