Senator Maria Elena Durazo Recognizes Monica Valencia's Work at the Los Angeles LGBT Center

California Senator of the 26th District, Maria Elena Durazo, recognizes Monica's community leadership and work focused on the Latine community of Boyle Heights, with groundbreaking projects like "Voces del Barrion," which she founded and spearheaded in 2025 after the violent immigration ICE raids in Los Angeles.

Monica is the Attorney Manager of Community Legal Clinics at the Legal Services Department of the Los Angeles LGBT Center. When asked about her work as a Rebellious Lawyer, she said, "No matter who you are or what your profession is, it is deeply important to listen to the community you are serving in order to have an impact." She continues, "[y]ou have to place people at the forefront because they are their own changemakers and they are autonomous. My goal is to work with the community in tandem like we are a team working towards something....together!"

Monica's legal training as a Rebellious Lawyer stems from her time as a law student at the University of San Francisco School of Law, where she was trained by her mentor, Prof. Bill Ong Hing.