EQCA - Equality California

12/02/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/02/2024 17:15

LGBTQ+ Caucus in California Legislature Grows Following Election, Reaches Historic 12%

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 2, 2024

CONTACT: Jorge Reyes Salinas, Equality California
PHONE: (213) 355-3057/MOBILE: (213) 355-3057/EMAIL: [email protected]

SACRAMENTO - Equality California is thrilled to announce that California's LGBTQ+ Legislative Caucus has reached a new historic milestone, with LGBTQ+ representatives making up 12% of the legislature following the recent election. This achievement makes California among the top states in the nation for LGBTQ+ representation.

As the state's new legislature is sworn in today, the total number of Legislative LGBTQ Caucus members in California has increased from 12 to 14. New members of the caucus include Christopher Cabaldon (Senate District 3), Sasha Renée Pérez (Senate District 25), Mark Gonzalez (Assembly District 54), Sade Elhawary (Assembly District 57), and José Solache (Assembly District 62). The expansion of the LGBTQ Caucus comes at a critical time for the LGBTQ+ community amid fears that the coming administration will launch attacks on civil rights, healthcare and education. With a growing caucus, California's legislature is better equipped to advance legislation protecting the hard-fought gains of LGBTQ+ Californians and their families.

"Equality California is proud to celebrate this milestone of 12% out-LGBTQ+ representation in our state legislature," said Tony Hoang, Executive Director of Equality California. "These new members continue to ensure that our caucus reflects the full diversity and strength of our community. LGBTQ+ people belong in every room and deserve a seat at every table where decisions impacting our community and our lives are being made. Whatever attacks Donald Trump and his fellow extremists may initiate against our community - and our trans kids and LGBTQ+ students in particular - California will continue to lead the nation's fight for LGBTQ+ equality."

"Nearly 25 years ago, our caucus was founded by four lesbians - today, our state legislature achieves a historic 12% of out-LGBTQ+ representation," said Chris Ward, incoming Chair of the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus. "Our community knows all too well that having a seat at the table is vitally important in order to ensure our community's voices are heard. As attacks on rights ramp up, especially targeting LGBTQ+ youth and our TGI siblings, our growing LGBTQ Caucus remains steadfast in our commitment to unity and to strengthen California's status as a safe haven for LGBTQ+ community members and their loved ones."

"I look forward to my LGBTQ+ family growing in the legislature because representation is more important than ever if we want a fighting chance in the battles ahead of us," said Senator Caroline Menjivar (D-San Fernando Valley). "While hostility and discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community threatens to take root in our federal government, it is also attempting to overtake California's education and foster care systems. My body of work, before and since becoming a legislator, has often focused on protecting youth, especially when it comes to their safety and well-being in school. Now, even more of our voices will be heard in policy-making and budget decisions. And I plan to keep that collective energy focused on meeting the needs and protecting the futures of LGBTQ+ youth across our state."

###

Equality California is the nation's largest statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization. We bring the voices of LGBTQ people and allies to institutions of power in California and across the United States, striving to create a world that is healthy, just, and fully equal for all LGBTQ people. We advance civil rights and social justice by inspiring, advocating and mobilizing through an inclusive movement that works tirelessly on behalf of those we serve. www.eqca.org