July 2, 2025 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

Hate Crime In MacArthur Park

Another transgender woman of color was brutally attacked in MacArthur Park in Los Angeles’ Westlake neighborhood on Sunday night after being surrounded by a group of men who suggested hatred for “gays,” according to the LAPD.

The 42 year old woman who was identified by friends as Daniela Hernandez was sitting on a park bench about 9:30 p.m. when she was surrounded by four to five men, one of whom said “something to the effect of, ‘We don’t want gays in the park,’” officials said. She was then stabbed and her throat was cut before the group fled, according to police and a statement by the TransLatina Coalition, where Hernandez volunteered.

Dozens of people attended a #Justice4Daniela demonstration Monday evening at the park, including James Wen, who serves on the Los Angeles Transgender Advisory Council.

West Hollywood Mayor Lindsey Horvath, who also attended the gathering, said she was working on a campaign in her city to “call out the transphobia in our society.”

The Los Angeles LGBTQ Center also issued a response denouncing the attack and stating, 

“Our loving thoughts are with Daniela Hernandez as she recovers from this brutal attack. We stand with our sister organization, the TransLatina Coalition, where Daniela volunteered, in decrying the epidemic of violence against trans women of color. There have been more than 31 known murders of trans or gender non-conforming people in the U.S. this year—the majority of whom were black trans women.  And for every transgender homicide, countless others face violent attacks and discrimination every day in this country.

“The all too frequent and violent attacks against transgender women, especially Latina and Black women, must end. In this spirit, the Center recommits to our collaboration with our colleague organization, the Trans Wellness Center, to fight this violence by lifting up programs that serve trans people. We call on the L.A.P.D. and prosecutors to act quickly to ensure that this case is investigated as a hate crime and that the perpetrators are arrested and taken off the streets before this happens again.”

Bamby Salcedo, president and chief executive of the TransLatina Coalition, stated that Hernandez is recovering following the attack but that it has disrupted positive momentum in her life. Hernandez had recently begun a new job as a housekeeper — her first official job since moving to the United States from El Salvador almost three years ago. 

LAPD Assistant Chief Robert Arcos said Hernandez was recovering in a local hospital as detectives followed “significant leads” they had gathered in the case.

This comes right off the heels of another attack against three transgender women in Hollywood who were beaten and robbed in August in an attack police called a hate crime. Two men have been charged in that assault.

At least 28 transgender people have been killed in the U.S. this year, according to an August statement from the National Center for Transgender Equality, surpassing the total for all of 2019.

Related Posts

California Highway Patrol Deploys for Independence Day Enforcement Surge

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

All Available Officers to Hit California Highways for Holiday Weekend As Californians gear up for Fourth of July festivities, the...

Court Postpones Arraignment for Driver in Malibu Crash That Killed Four Students

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Fraser Michael Bohm Faces Murder Charges in Fatal PCH Wreck  The arraignment for Fraser Michael Bohm, the 23-year-old man accused...

Top Military Commander Urges Return of Troops Deployed to ICE Protest Response

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

General Requests 200 National Guard Soldiers Be Returned to California Wildfire Unit The senior U.S. military officer overseeing federal forces...

(Video) Los Angeles County Supervisor from the 2nd district, Holly J. Mitchel, Gives a Powerful Speech

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

Supervisor Mitchell Called on Residents to take action at the rally for Ambrocio “Enrique” Lozano in Culver City.

Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Parents Opposed to LGBTQ Books in Schools

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

Decision Could Pave Way for More Opt-Out Challenges Across the Country The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Friday that a Maryland...

The Westside Lights Up for July 4: Fireworks, Drone Shows, and Parades Return Across West Los Angeles

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

From Marina Del Rey’s Fireworks to Culver City’s 1980s-Themed Drone Show, Get Ready to Celebrate From fireworks over Marina del...

Tens of Thousands Defy Ban at Budapest Pride as Hungary Cracks Down on LGBTQ+ Rights

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

Marchers Risk Fines and Jail Under New Law Targeting LGBTQ+ Gatherings Tens of thousands marched through the streets of Budapest...

California Judge Rules FAIR Plan’s Smoke Damage Policy Unlawful

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

Court Says Wildfire Insurance Program Illegally Denied Claims Legal protections for California homeowners took a step forward this week after...

(Video) Culver City Residents and City and County Leaders Rally for Disappeared Ice Cream Man Ambrocio “Enrique” Lozano

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

US Representative for California’s 37th Congressional District, Sydney Kamlager-Dove Speaks About What is happening to the disappeared.

Drake Slashes Price on Beverly Hills Estate to $79 Million Amid Market Slowdown

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

Price Cut Adds to a Broader Retreat From His Los Angeles Real Estate Holdings. Musician Drake has reduced the price...

Iranian Pastor in West L.A. Speaks as Church Rocked by Immigration Raids 

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

Five Detained as Fear Spreads Through Persian Christian Faith Community  Fear has spread through a West Los Angeles congregation after...

Cinespia Brings Fireworks and Fan Favorites to Hollywood Forever This July

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Watch Top Gun, La La Land, and More Under the Stars at Hollywood Forever Cinespia, Los Angeles’ iconic outdoor movie...

LGBTQ State Senator Scott Wiener Signals Bid to Succeed Pelosi in Congress

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Wiener Files Paperwork to Run for California’s 11th District in 2028 State Sen. Scott Wiener, a prominent Democrat representing San...

California Doubles Down on Hollywood: $750M in Tax Credits Approved for Film and TV Industry

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

State Lawmakers Back Major Expansion of Production Incentives, Raising Job Projections Los Angeles’ film and television industry is poised to...

Corporate Pride Pullback: Major Brands Scale Down LGBTQ+ Support Under Trump’s Second Term

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Mastercard, Target, and Others Retreat From High-Profile Campaigns as Federal Policy Shifts Shifts in federal policy under President Donald Trump’s...