Allow Bienestar (LGBT/HIV Org) back into their leased offices

Bienestar, serving Southern California's Latino LGBT and HIV communities was evicted from its new offices two days after opening. The landlord allegedly told the organization they were "bringing disease" to the building.

Bienestar an organization serving Southern California's Latino LGBT, HIV and at-risk communities, was evicted from its new Van Nuys offices two days after opening. The landlord allegedly told the organization they were "bringing disease" to the building.
A Southern California center serving the Latino LGBT and HIV-positive community has been evicted from its new offices just two days after opening, the organization reports. Bienestar is a non-profit social services organization offering testing, support and information to the Southern California Latino LGBT, HIV-positive, and other at-risk communities since 1989.

Just 48 hours after opening in a new Van Nuys location, the landlord forcibly evicted the organization, saying it was "bringing disease" to the building. Bienestar has filed a lawsuit to regain access to its property, still locked inside the building.

On Monday, August 13, Bienestar began providing services at their new location at 14546 Hamlin St., in Van Nuys, Calif. On Tuesday, August 14, Bienestar reports the landlord demanded the organization remove its belongings and vacate the premesis. That same day, a locksmith arrived to change the locks on the building, denying Bienestar members access to their property inside the building, including confidential client files.
Bienestar is a community-based grassroots social service organization aimed at positively impacting the health and well-being (bienestar in Spanish) of the Latino LGBT, HIV-positive and other at-risk communities in Southern California. Bienestar also seeks to raise awareness around HIV, AIDS, and substance abuse. The organization boasts nine community centers in Southern California, including several in Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernadino counties.