By: Adelante
Dr. Jerry Abraham was recently appointed to the Los Angeles County LGBTQ Commission by LA County Supervisor Holly Mitchell and approved unanimously by the LA County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, February 27, 2024. The LA County LGBTQ Commission was created in June 2023 with a motion authored by Supervisor Hilda L. Solis. The 15-member Commission advises the Board of Supervisors on issues facing LGBTQIA+ residents in Los Angeles County. The LGBTQ+ Commission provides recommendations on policies and budget priorities at a time when LGBTQIA+ people face mounting challenges. According to the LA County Commission on Human Relations’ 2021 Hate Crime Report, 89% of the hate crimes towards gay men were of a violent nature and 93% of anti-transgender crimes were violent – a rate of violence higher than any other marginalized group recorded by the report. Nationwide, hundreds of anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced at the state and local levels.
Dr. Abraham is a renowned Physician and Public Health advocate and expert who has a long standing history of advocating for the health and priorities of LGBTQIA+ individuals, particularly as they relate to queer people of color, expressly Black and Latin@ member of our Community. He has served on numerous boards and committees, including President of the Los Angeles County Medical Association LACMA, Trustee of the California Medical Association CMA, Councilor of the American Medical Association AMA, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Charles R. Drew Medical Society CRDMS, the Historically Black Medical Society of Los Angeles County. In addition, Dr. Abraham is a vocal advocate for health equity and medical justice, particularly in underserved communities. His expertise and leadership were critical during the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring resources including COVID-19 vaccines were prioritized for South, East, and Southeast Los Angeles County. Part of this work also includes ensuring safe spaces for Trans People of Color to safely receive COVID-19 care and treatments in a safe space and gender-affirming manner.
Dr. Abraham previously served as the President of Emory Pride, founder of Safe Space – a LGBTQ support group for medical students and health professionals in Texas, member of: Trikone – the South Asian LGBTQ organization of Atlanta, Desi Rainbow, a Safe Space for parents and families of LGBTQIA+ individuals, among others. Currently, Dr. Abraham serves on the LA County Ending the HIV Epidemic EHE Steering Committee, California Ending the Epidemics Campaign, the California Department of Public Health CDPH HIV Molecular Surveillance HIV Advisory Board, and serves on the LA City Civil and Human Rights Department CHRD. Dr. Abraham also helps out with providing HIV services (testing, counseling, PrEP, treatment, HIV services) with JWCH Institute – Wesley Health Centers at Commercial Sex Venues CSV (Slammer, Flex, etc) and the Transgender & Gender Affirming Clinic of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles at St. John’s Cathedral. Dr. Abraham serves on the Board of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles GMCLA, and The Urban Voices Project, a chorus and home for people experiencing housing insecurity including people who identify as sexual and gender minorities.
Throughout his career, Dr. Abraham has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to Public Health and Healthcare. He has received numerous awards and honors, including The Voice Award from the Gay Men’s Chorus, Hero of Family Medicine Award, the CMA Compassionate Service Award, the AMA Excellence in Medicine Award, the KJLH 102.3FM Proven Achievers Award, and the Los Angeles Business Journal’s Healthcare Leadership Award. In addition, he has been featured in numerous media outlets, including CNN, MSNBC, NPR, and the Los Angeles Times and is a regular contributor on Spectrum and CBS.
Dr. Jerry P. Abraham is a dedicated and prolific Physician, Public Health advocate, and community leader who has made a significant impact on the health and well-being of countless individuals and communities especially in the arena of health equity, and medical and racial justice.