Baby Gay (Queer Gay Stories)

LA City Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez: Allyship & Building a More Inclusive Los Angeles

PJ Brescia Episode 28

Want to see what real allyship in action looks like? On this week’s BabyGay™ Podcast, host PJ Brescia (they/them) sits down with LA City Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez (he/him) — a lifelong Angeleno, former labor organizer, and one of Los Angeles’ leading voices for equity and inclusion.

Born and raised in LA to Mexican immigrant parents who worked as street vendors, Hugo learned early on the power of community and collective action. Before his election to City Council in 2022, he spent 16 years organizing with UNITE HERE!, fighting alongside hotel workers to win fair wages, healthcare, and respect on the job.

Recorded LIVE before an audience at the historic Black Cat in Silver Lake, this special episode was part of BabyGay’s Third Annual National Coming Out Day Celebration — produced in partnership with The Black Cat and OutCare Health, and presented by Los Angeles City Council District 13 (CD13).

PJ and Councilmember Soto-Martínez reflect on what it means for Los Angeles to officially recognize National Coming Out Day as a city holiday...and how allyship, solidarity, and love can fuel real systemic change.

This episode is a reminder that love and solidarity aren’t just ideals — they’re actions that can transform a city, one community at a time.

Follow @HugoForCD13 & @BabyGayTV for more community updates.

BabyGay™ Podcast, released every Wednesday at 12PM PT, is hosted by PJ Brescia (they/them) — a 2025 Out100 honoree — and celebrates queer stories, self-discovery, and the power of authenticity.

Produced by Tom Gault and PJ Brescia.

Special thanks to The Black Cat.

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