Newsom nixes statewide LGBTQ commission, approves other bills

Lori Dee · September 29, 2024, 10:30:30 AM

Political Notebook: Newsom nixes statewide LGBTQ commission, approves other bills
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The Bay Area Reporter - Matthew S. Bajko, Assistant Editor
Saturday, September 28, 2024

California will not be joining its West Coast counterparts in having a statewide commission tasked with addressing the needs of its LGBTQ residents. On Saturday, Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed the legislation that had called for its formation.

In 2023, Oregon established the nine-member LGBTQIA2S+ Subcommittee of the Governor's Commission on Senior Services. It is tasked with protecting and enhancing the quality of life for LGBTQ older adults residing in the Beaver State.

In 2019, Washington State established its LGBTQ Commission. The state agency also has an advisory board of 15 commissioners who are part of the Evergreen State's LGBTQ community.

Golden State LGBTQ lawmakers and advocates had hoped to follow suit with the launch of California's own nine-person Statewide LGBTQ+ Commission to help guide policymakers and legislators on how to better address the community's needs. Afterall, they had noted, about 2.7 million or roughly 9% of Californian adults identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.

But Newsom 86'd the idea with his veto of Assembly Bill 3031 co-authored by Assemblymembers Alex Lee (D-San Jose), who is bisexual, and Evan Low (D-Cupertino), who is gay. It had been one of the Legislative LGBTQ Caucus' priority bills this session.

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Newsom nixes statewide LGBTQ commission, approves other bills

Lori Dee