- Daniel McGreevy
- Communications Coordinator
- (916) 319-2589
- Daniel.McGreevy@asm.ca.gov
SACRAMENTO – Today, Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland) hosted a roundtable at Oakland’s City of Refuge UCC to discuss local LGBTQ+ priorities in response to an adversarial federal administration. The event served as an opportunity for East Bay leaders, nonprofits, and other service providers to share their insights and reactions to federal attacks on the LGBTQ+ and to hear from Assemblymember Bonta about the state-level efforts to safeguard LGBTQ+ rights and protections.
“Our trans siblings are seeing their passports come back with the wrong gender marker, LGBTQ-related words or phrases are being scrubbed from federal websites and recognition, and HIV prevention funding is being gutted in Washington,” said Assemblymember Mia Bonta. “So while this administration targets joy and targets love, we continue to shine through. As Martin Luther King Jr. has said, the arc of the moral universe may be long, but it bends toward justice. That's why we are here today to continue to create that justice together.”
Uplifted state legislative priorities included:
AB 40 (Bonta) – clarifies access to abortion in emergency health care settings.
AB 224 (Bonta) – expands coverage requirements to include fertility services, hearing aids, and wheelchairs in the individual and small group markets.
AB 938 (Bonta) – provides relief to survivors of human trafficking.
AB 1318 (Bonta) – protects non-profits from politically motivated targeting.
SB 504 (Laird) Communicable diseases: HIV reporting
AB 1487 (Addis & González) Public health: the two spirit-transgender, and gender nonconforming and intersex wellness and equity fund
The roundtable sponsored by the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus, Oakland LGBTQ Center, and Alameda Pride was attended by Oakland Councilmember Rowena Brown, the Office of Congresswoman Lateefah Simon, and the Office of Senator Jesse Arreguín, among others.
“Right now, when we feel completely scared, it's easy to think about ways that we can shrink to just save what we can. But I really want to encourage us to think about what is truly possible,” said Johanna Holden, Oakland LGBTQ Community Center Development Director. “Today, I feel inspired by the possibility that our community could come together and demand something not only against what has been going on at a federal level but something better for all who live here in the state. I truly believe that we have the ability as a state to enact bold and powerful changes.”
The roundtable discussed the impacts on the LGBTQ+ community of the over 160 executive orders signed by President Trump this year, continued funding for LGBTQ+ services in the California State Budget, and the importance of allyship as research documents that LGBTQ young people who felt their sexual orientation was accepted by at least one adult had lower odds of reporting a suicide attempt in the past year compared to those who did not feel accepted.
“Pride isn’t just a parade — it’s a foundation. It’s about making sure LGBTQ+ families have the resources, support, and visibility to thrive. Especially in places like Alameda where we’re finally being seen,” said Jeramie Andehueson, Alameda Pride Founder.
“We are in a moment of chaos, but we are still part of a strong California — and at the heart of what is possible in this country is California. More specifically, it’s Northern California. It’s the East Bay,” added Assemblymember Mia Bonta.
Assemblymember Bonta received a 100% score on the 2024 Equality California Scorecard and has committed her tenure in the legislature to uplifting the needs of historically underserved communities.
Photos from the event can be found HERE.
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Assemblymember Mia Bonta represents California’s 18th Assembly District encompassing the East Bay including Oakland, Alameda, and Emeryville. She also chairs the Assembly Health Committee.
Courtesy photos can be found HERE.