June is one of my favorite months of the year in San Francisco — because we celebrate Pride month like no other city in the world.
While Pride in 2021 will not be like our celebrations of the past, I’m still dedicated to uplifting this month of diversity and inclusion any way I can. This year, legislatures in 34 GOP-controlled states have introduced an unprecedented number of bills targeting our transgender and gender-nonconforming community, particularly young people, and it’s so important for us to continue to stand up to discrimination.
Here in California, we’re doing things differently.
This month, my AB 245 bill passed to prevent “deadnaming” on diplomas and student records — instances when transgender and non-conforming (TGNC) students do not have their names or gender identity accurately reflected on transcripts and records, which can very negatively impact students who are applying for a job or graduate school. The Assembly also voted to pass my AB 1184 bill, sponsored by Planned Parenthood, to protect confidentiality when a patient accesses sensitive services like gender-affirming care or reproductive care, as well as AB 915, my bill to establish a procurement goal of 25% of all state contracts for small and diverse businesses, including LGBTQ+ small businesses.
During this Pride Month, I reflect on the incredible honor I have to work alongside our LGBTQ+ communities to achieve equity and equality in California. Together, we can work to secure a future where all LGBTQ+ Californians, particularly those who are transgender and gender non-conforming, feel safe, secure, and proud in our communities.
Happy Pride!
David
PS — This year’s Pride isn’t a party at the level we normally enjoy in San Francisco (though hopefully it will be next year), but to remind us, here’s a video from Pride 2019 — featuring my good friend and now-Attorney General Rob Bonta!