Team Friendly SoCal

11/21/2025

Trans Day of Remembrance (TDOR) honors the people who are transgender whose lives were taken by anti-trans violence. It also highlights how stigma, discrimination, and lack of affirming care put trans communities at a greater impact for diminished HIV services.

As allies, we can show up by speaking out against transphobia and HIV stigma, supporting trans-led organizations, advocating for affirming healthcare, and creating spaces where trans people feel seen, safe, and respected.

Remembering lives lost means committing to real change, one Friendly conversation at a time.

01/01/2022

Saddened by the profound loss of and celebrating the life of someone who is such a beloved cultural icon.
Betty White, you will be missed.

Thank you for being a friend.

12/01/2021

Today is December 1st, World AIDS Day- a day to remember those we have lost and reflect on what we can do to end HIV stigma.

12/25/2020

Greetings to all!

Make some time today to reach out and connect with friends and family. Be especially thoughtful of who might feel alone today.

Share a greeting.

Text a picture.

Send your favorite emoji.

Make plans to meet up again.

Lets be there for each other over the holiday season during these unprecedented times.

06/01/2020

A great many things are upside down in our world during these challenging times. We, members of Team Friendly, are saddened, frustrated, and outraged by a broken system that continues to allow attacks on People of Color.

Our mission is to eliminate HIV stigma and embrace the fight against stigma in all forms. While we don’t have all the answers to the current climate of racism in our country, we do acknowledge a pressing need to address the issue today.

Our goal is to meet people where they’re at. Yet, we are horrified by the atrocities committed against people of color. There is no “Friendly response” to this kind of blatant racism; it is intolerable. We chose to flip our symbol to show our current state of distress.

We continue to work through the emotions fueled by the atrocities committed in the name of privileged justice. We stand with People of Color and say: “Your plight is our plight and as an organization we are here for you and stand in solidarity with you!”

And one thing is certain… We will continue our efforts to educate people of the destruction stigma poses, especially to communities of color.

Our world is upside down right now!
Together, let's work toward a world stigmafree.

Members of Team Friendly

Ken Big-Johnson
Stephen Bloodworth
Ralph Bruneau
Lady Byrd Team Friendly Ambassador 2020
M Debi Calante
Lonnell Callum
Mark Eddy
Ray Farias
Beth Fawcett
Stephan Ferris
Jack Garcia, Jr
Nawa Koneko
Butch McKay
Marc Tuton
Amp Somers
Dave Watt
Ronald Wilson
Gauge Xavier
____________________________________

Muchas cosas tremendas estan al reves en nuestro mundo durante estos momentos tan dificiles. Nosotros, los miembros de Team Friendly, estamos tristes, frustrados y indignados por un sistema roto que sige continuando a permitir ataques a las Personas de Color.

Nuestra mission es eliminar el Estigma de VIH y abrazar la lucha contra el Estigma de todas formas. Aunque nosotros no tenemos todas las respuestas para el clima corriente de racismo en nuestro pais, reconocemos una necesidad urgente de afrentar este problema hoy.

Nuestro objetivo es conocer a las personas donde estan. Sin embargo, estamos horrorizados por las atrocidades cometidas conrta las Personas de Color. No hay una “Respuesta Amistosa (Friendly Response)” a este tipo de recismo flagrante, esto es intolerable. Decidimos voltear nuestro simbolo Friendly para mostrar nuetro estado de angustia.

Nosotros segimos trabajando a traves de las emociones alimentadas por las atrocidades cometidas en nombre de la justicia privilegiada. Apoyamos a las Personas de Color y decimos, “Su lucha es nuestra lucha y, como organizacion, estamos aqui para ayudar y solidarizarnos con ustedes!”

Una cosa es sugura… Continuaremos nuestros esfuerzos educando a las personas de la destruccion que el Estigma posea, especialmente a las comunidades de Color.
Nuestro mundo esta al reves en estos momentos!
Juntos, vamaos a trabajar para un mundo libre de Estigma.

Miembros de Team Friendly

Ken Big-Johnson
Stephen Bloodworth
Ralph Bruneau
Lady Byrd Team Friendly Ambassador 2020
M Debi Calante
Lonnell Callum
Mark Eddy
Ray Farias
Beth Fawcett
Stephan Ferris
Jack Garcia, Jr
Nawa Koneko
Butch McKay
Jesus Nunez-Jirgl
Steve Nunez-Jirgl
Marc Tuton
Dave Watt
Ronald Wilson
Gauge Xavier

12/25/2019

Wishing everyone a happy, friendly fun-filled holiday season!

06/15/2019