WEST SEEGMILLER: A quiet flame of hope

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Last Friday night, local community groups The Free Weho Coalition & Natural Health First hosted a free community health forum, provocatively titled “WeHo Uncensored”, inside West Hollywood’s historic Fiesta Hall.

Throughout the Covid era, West Hollywood was choked by some of the most extreme lockdowns, vaccine mandates and medical segregation in the country.

After nearly three years of censorship, many people are finally ready to break through the silence. The excitement of the evening was ignited by a quiet flame of hope, as members of the West Hollywood community gathered to openly discuss long-suppressed topics.

The charming wit of Emmy award-winning comedian Rick Overton and hilarious opening act Tacky Jackey set the tone for a cathartic night of candid conversation.

Yvet Chambers of Children’s Health Defense moderated the community discussion about various public health measures and human rights concerns.

It felt historic to witness members of the public courageously ask questions and share their own experiences without fear or stigma.

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I listened to a young Latina mother share her uncertainties about her daughter’s educational future. I heard the experiences of a group of young men just trying to decide what is best for them.

I realized many people, vaccinated and unvaccinated alike, are seeking a community where it’s OK to think for themselves about these things.

After a thought-provoking discussion, healer Sharada LaSpisa shared naturopathic health protocols to empower healing, and Pastor Wendy Silvers delivered an uplifting talk to inspire spiritual resilience during historical struggles for social justice. People then gathered to share a warm meal of homemade spaghetti, salad and hot chocolate made with love.

The atmosphere was filled with warmth and humanity, and it became clear that this was a much-needed safe space for our community to find each other.

We ended the evening with an intimate candlelight vigil in loving remembrance of the lives lost during the pandemic— including to pharmaceutical injury, and deaths of despair such a suicide and overdose. We reflected on the pain we have all endured, and collectively moved towards healing. In this shared quiet moment, we were reminded that people really do come together. Even in the darkest of times, we can still find hope in each other.

Whatever your spiritual or religious traditions are this holiday season, may we all receive the gift of forgiveness and share the healing spirit of unity.

About the Free WeHo Coalition

The Free WeHo Coalition is a non-partisan grassroots community coalition creating space for freedom-loving people in the LGBTQ community and our allies. We host regular free events to send a message of love in a time of fear. Weho Uncensored is the first in a series of public forums in West Hollywood to be hosted by the coalition throughout 2023. Find out more at FreeWeho.com

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About West Seegmiller
West Seegmiller is a national policy researcher and local advocate for survivors of labor abuse and human trafficking. He is a Co-Founder of the Free WeHo Coalition, www.FreeWeho.com

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Arrest Fauci
Arrest Fauci
1 year ago

It’s about damn time people wake up! West Hollywood should’ve been the one city in LA that rejected the lockdowns and mandates. The city council should be embarrassed. Thank you for reporting on this.

Scott Sigman
Scott Sigman
1 year ago

I am glad I was on lock down and did not get sick having all vaccinations. I never had polio or measles or any other disease while traveling the world. However, I was in China for H1N1 and they were way too lax. My brother got SARS in first breakout in Vietnam. We work around the working building factories and examining deathtraps. I have traveled in 105 countries, never got sick. I followed my regime of my own utensils and chop sticks. I think your severity of lockdown was a bit off-try Egypt during the spring riots, Mexico having be… Read more »

Sotiria Theoxari
Sotiria Theoxari
1 year ago

Thanks West for creating such an empowering space for dialogue and community. What could be more important and vital in these times?
Looking forward to the next chapter of the WeHo Community Health Forum 🙏🏼
Happy Holidays to all! 🥰☃️👼🏼🔥🥰
Sotiria

Alan Strasburg
Alan Strasburg
1 year ago

While I disagree with West on most of his reasoning on this issue, I applaud him for the intellectual heft he brings to any issue he debates. We live in a world of absolutism and ideological rigidity and West bucks both trends. Good on him! I’d love to see West on a commission or board, but history has shown that the council as a whole is afraid of his voice. This council seeks sycophancy over intellectual rigor and solid civic discourse.

West
1 year ago
Reply to  Alan Strasburg

Thanks Alan, for the respectful dialogue and real heart. As always your regular voice of reason is absolutely priceless ❤️

Randy
Randy
1 year ago
Reply to  Alan Strasburg

Please tell me you’re kidding.

Alan Strasburg
Alan Strasburg
1 year ago
Reply to  Randy

Please tell me you’re looking for a new hobby for 2023.

Zoe
Zoe
1 year ago

This is awesome!! It takes courage to fight for what you believe is right. I hope to see more articles like this in the future.

Lindsey
Lindsey
1 year ago

Oh my gosh, awesome!! “I realized many people, vaccinated and unvaccinated alike, are seeking a community where it’s OK to think for themselves about these things.” – Absolutely! The censorship, not just from the government and mass & social media, but also from your everyday, average people, has been unreal! How wonderful that this organization is hosting gatherings where it’s ok to speak your truth.

Char Neigh
Char Neigh
1 year ago

Thank you West for being dedicated to your community and risking life and limb as you stand strong for truth, freedom, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Sunny Ochoa
Sunny Ochoa
1 year ago

West is a social justice warrior for weho
He does work no one has the courage to do

Scott
Scott
1 year ago

This is important news! Everyone should be aware of and celebrate diversity of opinion especially over sensitive issues. Thank you for publishing.

Joshua88
Joshua88
1 year ago
Reply to  Scott

Protecting your family and community during a pandemic should not be a sensitive issue.

ian jameson
ian jameson
1 year ago

Thank you, WeHoville, for allowing unpopular views to be published on your site in an era of chilling, proto-totalitarian assaults on free speech!

Thank you, West Seegmiller, for fighting so indefatigably for medical freedom, which is every Americans’ constitutional right! People who scoff at that statement are not — NOT — pro-choice.

Love is love
Love is love
1 year ago

Living in West Hollywood as an older gay keeps me energized by the young activists fighting for human rights. Thanks for the reminder of how far we have come and how much further we still have to go. #LGBTQ #HumanRights #WestHollywood #LoveIsLove