LGBTQ Community in Bell Canyon

Inclusion and Support for Our LGBTQ+ Community in Bell Canyon

Bell Canyon is a community known for its beauty, resilience, and the strength of its people. At its best, it is also a place of acceptance—where neighbors lift each other up, and diversity is not just tolerated but celebrated. That is the Bell Canyon we believe in and continue to work toward.

Recently, a deeply hurtful and offensive slur was directed at my husband during a public HOA meeting. It was not only an attack on him personally, but on the values of dignity, respect, and equality that should be the foundation of any thriving neighborhood. Hate has no place here—not in our meetings, not in our streets, and not in our hearts.

The LGBTQ+ members of our community are not outsiders. We are your neighbors, your friends, your volunteers, your family. We contribute, we care, and we belong. Love, in all its forms, makes a community stronger. Bell Canyon should reflect that truth in word and in action.

To those who have felt marginalized, judged, or silenced—I want you to know you are seen, you are valued, and you are never alone. The majority of this community stands with you, and we will continue to build a Bell Canyon where everyone feels safe, respected, and welcome.

Let this moment be a reminder that silence enables hate, but unity silences it. Let’s choose kindness. Let’s choose each other.

—Mathew 101 Buckskin 

I want to bring attention to a deeply troubling incident that occurred during last night’s HOA meeting. Multiple attendees have informed me that the owner of this home viewed from my backyard is the gentleman who directed a homophobic slur at my partner, calling him a "faggot" during the meeting. This kind of hateful behavior is unacceptable and goes against the values of inclusivity and respect that should define our community. Bell Canyon is a diverse and vibrant place, home to people from all walks of life, including many LGBTQ+ families who were deeply hurt by last night’s actions.

Beyond this disturbing incident, I want to highlight a concerning pattern regarding past HOA board actions. When Eric and Lisa unlawfully obstructed my ADU construction, Eric Wolf personally advised me at a Cars & Coffee event to bypass the proper Architectural Committee and work directly with him instead. He referenced past conflicts with homeowners and suggested that cooperating with him would help me avoid unnecessary challenges. He also admitted that the HOA attorney was pressuring me about my ADU because it was constructed offsite, despite using normal building materials and following all laws—especially since ADUs are legally protected under California state law. In fact, the California Housing Department was prepared to fine the HOA for interfering with my build. Eric Wolf also personally claimed responsibility for allowing three-story homes in Bell Canyon that day we spoke. While ADUs are legally protected, three-story homes are not permissible under Bell Canyon CCNR's, and there is no legal precedent supporting their approval. This raises the question: Were personal agreements with Eric and Lisa influencing some individuals' continued support of the previous board? Those now speaking out may be doing so to protect their own interests.

During my struggles with the ADU, another homeowner mentioned that she had informed the HOA office she would donate her construction deposit to the BCVFD. This raises further concerns about financial mismanagement and why our community is facing a $10 million debt. The CC&Rs, which Eric Wolf once described as "worth their weight in gold that same day"—gold for whom? Regardless of personal opinions on HOA matters, no one has the right to use hate speech in our community. The individuals pushing for this recall are out of control, seemingly driven by personal gain rather than the well-being of Bell Canyon. The entire community is watching as their true colors come to light.

I urge everyone to treat one another with kindness and respect. Last night’s meeting was chaotic and unnecessary, especially when the HOA board was handling the liability issue with the BCVFD in a professional manner and working toward a solution that would allow volunteers to continue supporting our community. There was no justification for such disorderly conduct. Let’s refocus on what truly matters—building a kind, inclusive, and kind Bell Canyon.

I hope this man can write an apology letter to my family and the entire community. I find it very strange that he personally has a three-story home in Bell Canyon. Everything always comes to the surface.

Mathew Perelman 101 Buckskin / 57 Buckskin