California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus

Last updated
California Legislative
LGBTQ Caucus
Chair Chris Ward
Founded2002;23 years ago (2002)
Seats in the State Senate
6 / 40
Seats in the State Assembly
8 / 80

The California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus (formerly the California Legislative LGBT Caucus) is an American political organization formed in June 2002 and composed of openly lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members of the California State Legislature. [1] The caucus currently has 14 members, a record high.

Contents

This group is contrasted to other LGBT Equality Caucuses in that the California caucus consists entirely of LGBT legislators while other LGBT Equality Caucuses consist of all orientations. Both, however, promote the promulgation of LGBT-affirming laws within the legislature.

Role

Founding members of the Caucus (left to right): Mark Leno, Sheila Kuehl, Jackie Goldberg, John Laird, Christine Kehoe California Legislative LGBT Caucus.jpg
Founding members of the Caucus (left to right): Mark Leno, Sheila Kuehl, Jackie Goldberg, John Laird, Christine Kehoe

The caucus was established to champion legislation that advances equality and the rights of LGBT Californians. Its members have introduced and passed numerous measures related to gay rights, including two same-sex marriage bills (both vetoed by the governor), bills prohibiting discrimination in state government, tackling orientation-based bullying in schools and adequately funding HIV/AIDS treatment. [1] In December 2008, in the wake of the passage of Proposition 8, members of the LGBTQ Caucus pushed a resolution expressing the legislature's opinion that the proposition was unconstitutional. [2]

In addition, the caucus sponsors an annual LGBT Pride Exhibit every June and presents the LGBT Pride Recognition Awards to outstanding Californians. In 2006, several Republican legislators boycotted the awards ceremony, walking off the Assembly floor as the awards were presented. [3] [4] This boycott stalled the ceremony for several years until 2009 when it was resurrected. In each year since, many Republicans have boycotted the ceremony.

Feature in a documentary

A 2016 documentary film, Political Animals, by Jonah Markowitz features the accomplishments of California legislators Carole Migden, Sheila Kuehl, Jackie Goldberg, and Christine Kehoe. [5]

Members

23 openly LGBT people have served in the legislature and been members of the caucus – all gay or lesbian and Democrats. 12 of them are current office holders.

In addition, there have been two gay member of the legislature who, despite being open about his sexual orientation, was not a member of the caucus. Republican state senator Roy Ashburn from Kern County came out in March 2010 after having been arrested while driving under the influence on his way home from a gay bar. [6] He served the remaining eight months of his term but did not join the caucus. Republican Assemblymember Carl DeMaio, also openly gay, did not join the caucus after being elected in 2024.

There have also been members of the legislature who, though not open about their sexuality at the time they served in public office, subsequently declared themselves gay or lesbian. Dennis Mangers, who represented Orange County in the Assembly from 1976 to 1980, married his partner of 17 years, Michael Sestak, in June 2008. [7] Art Torres, who served 8 years in the Assembly and 12 in the State Senate before going on to spend 13 years as chair of the California Democratic Party, came out publicly in April 2009. [8]

Current members

NameResidencePartyYears in AssemblyYears in Senate
John Laird Santa Cruz Democratic2002—20082020—present
Sabrina Cervantes Eastvale Democratic2016—20242024—present
Scott Wiener San Francisco Democratic—2016—present
Chris Ward San Diego Democratic2020—present—
Alex Lee San Jose Democratic2020–present—
Corey Jackson Perris Democratic2022–present—
Rick Chavez Zbur West Hollywood Democratic2022—present—
Caroline Menjivar San Fernando Valley Democratic—2022—present
Steve Padilla Chula Vista Democratic—2022—present
Jose Solache [[Lynwood, California]Democratic2024—present—
Mark González West Hollywood Democratic2024—present—
Mark González West Hollywood Democratic2024—present—
Sade Elhawary West Hollywood Democratic2024—present—
Christopher Cabaldon Davis Democratic—2024—present

Former members

NameResidencePartyYears in AssemblyYears in Senate
Sheila Kuehl Santa Monica Democratic1994–20002000–2008
Carole Migden San Francisco Democratic1996–20022004–2008
Christine Kehoe San Diego Democratic2000–20042004–2012
Jackie Goldberg Los Angeles Democratic2000–2006—
Tom Ammiano San Francisco Democratic2008–2014—
John Pérez Los Angeles Democratic2008–2014—
Mark Leno San Francisco Democratic2002–20082008–2016
Rich Gordon Menlo Park Democratic2010–2016—
Ricardo Lara Bell Gardens Democratic2010–20122012–2019
Cathleen Galgiani Livingston Democratic2006–2012 [Note 1] 2012–2020
Todd Gloria San Diego Democratic2016–2020—
Toni Atkins San Diego Democratic2010–20162016–2024
Susan Eggman Stockton Democratic2012–20202020–2024
Evan Low Campbell Democratic2014–2024—

Chronology of openly LGBT legislators

The table below shows members of the legislature who were openly LGBT at the time they served. It extends back to the election of the first openly gay member of the California legislature: Sheila Kuehl (elected November 1994). The caucus was founded in 2002.

Legislative
session		Openly LGBT members
(in Assembly, in Senate)
1995–1996 Sheila Kuehl
Assembly, 41st district 		1 (1, 0)
1997–1998 Carole Migden
Assembly, 13th district 		2 (2, 0)
1999–20002 (2, 0)
2001–2002 Sheila Kuehl
Senate, 23rd district 		Christine Kehoe
Assembly, 76th district 		Jackie Goldberg
Assembly, 45th district 		4 (3, 1)
2003–2004 Mark Leno
Assembly, 13th district 		John Laird
Assembly, 27th district 		5 (4, 1)
2005–2006 Carole Migden
Senate, 3rd district 		Christine Kehoe
Senate, 39th district 		6 (3, 3)
2007–20085 (2, 3)
2009–2010 John Pérez
Assembly, 46th district 		Tom Ammiano
Assembly, 13th district 		Roy Ashburn
Senate, 18th district 		Mark Leno
Senate, 3rd district 		5 (2, 3)
2011–2012 Ricardo Lara
Assembly, 50th district 		Rich Gordon
Assembly, 21st district 		Toni Atkins
Assembly, 76th district 		Cathleen Galgiani
Assembly, 17th district 		8 (6, 2)
2013–2014 Susan Eggman
Assembly, 13th district 		Ricardo Lara
Senate, 33rd district 		Cathleen Galgiani
Senate, 5th district 		8 (5, 3)
2015–2016 Evan Low
Assembly, 28th district 		7 (4, 3)
2017–2018 Sabrina Cervantes
Assembly, 60th district 		Scott Wiener
Senate, 11th district 		Todd Gloria
Assembly, 78th district 		Toni Atkins
Senate, 39th district 		8 (4, 4)
2019–20207 (4, 3)
2021–2022 Susan Eggman
Senate, 5th district 		Chris Ward
Assembly, 78th district 		John Laird
Senate, 17th district 		Alex Lee
Assembly, 25th district 		8 (4, 4)
2023–2024 Corey Jackson
Assembly, 60th district 		Rick Zbur
Assembly, 51st district 		Caroline Menjivar
Senate, 20th district 		Steve Padilla
Senate, 18th district 		12 (6, 6)
Notes:
  1. Roy Ashburn came out in March 2010, having served since 1996 (Assembly, 1996–2002; Senate, 2002–2010). Ashburn did not join the caucus after coming out.
  2. Cathleen Galgiani came out in November 2011, having served in the Assembly since 2006.

Chairs

Term of officeNameChamber
2002–2003 [9] Christine KehoeAssembly
2003–2006 [9] Mark LenoAssembly
2006–2008 [10] John LairdAssembly
2008–2010 [11] Mark LenoSenate
2010–2011 [12] Tom AmmianoAssembly
2011–2012 [13] Christine KehoeSenate
2012–2015 [14] Rich GordonAssembly
2015–2017 [15] Susan EggmanAssembly
2017–2019 [16] Evan LowAssembly
2019–2022 [17] Scott WienerSenate
2022–2024 [18] Susan EggmanSenate
2024–presentChris WardAssembly

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daniel J. O'Donnell</span> American politician

Daniel J. O'Donnell is an American politician from the state of New York. A Democrat, he is a member of the New York State Assembly. O'Donnell represents the 69th district in Manhattan, made up of the neighborhoods of Manhattan Valley, Morningside Heights, and portions of the Upper West Side and West Harlem.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christine Kehoe</span> American politician

Christine T. Kehoe is an American politician from San Diego, California. A Democrat, she served from 2004 to 2012 as a member of the California State Senate, representing the 39th district. She was previously a member of the California State Assembly (2000–2004), and of San Diego City Council (1993–2000).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toni Atkins</span> American politician (born 1962)

Toni Gayle Atkins is an American politician who served as the 51st president pro tempore of the California State Senate from 2018 to 2024. A member of the Democratic Party, she previously served as the 69th speaker of the California State Assembly from 2014 to 2016 and the California State Assembly majority leader from 2012 to 2014. She represented the 39th State Senate district from 2016 to 2024, encompassing most of San Diego.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBTQ Victory Fund</span> United States political action committee

LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, commonly shortened to Victory Fund, is an American political action committee dedicated to increasing the number of out LGBTQ+ public officials in the United States. Victory Fund is the largest LGBTQ+ political action committee in the United States and one of the nation's largest non-connected PACs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Leno</span> American politician (born 1951)

Mark Leno is an American politician who served consecutively in both houses of the California State Legislature from 2002 to 2016. A Democrat, he represented the 11th Senate district, which includes San Francisco and portions of San Mateo County, from 2012 to 2016. Until the 2010 redistricting came into effect, he represented the 3rd Senate district (2008–2012). Prior to being elected to the State Senate in 2008, Leno served in the California State Assembly, representing the 13th district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Laird (American politician)</span> American politician

John Laird is an American politician who is the California State Senator for District 17, since December 7, 2020, and his now in his second term. Laird was Secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency from 2011 to 2019 and a former legislator who represented the 27th district in the California State Assembly until 2008. The 27th district included parts of Santa Clara County, Santa Cruz County and Monterey County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cathleen Galgiani</span> American politician

Cathleen Galgiani is an American politician who served in the California State Senate. A Democrat, she represented the 5th Senate District, which encompasses San Joaquin County, and portions of Stanislaus and Sacramento counties.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Congressional Equality Caucus</span> Caucus in the U.S. Congress promoting LGBTQ+ rights

The Congressional Equality Caucus, formerly the Congressional LGBTQ+ Caucus, was formed by openly gay representatives Tammy Baldwin and Barney Frank on June 4, 2008, to advance LGBT+ rights. The caucus is chaired by the most senior member and is co-chaired by nine of the United States House of Representatives' ten current openly LGBT members; during the 118th Congress, the caucus is chaired by Representative Mark Pocan and is co-chaired by representatives Becca Balint, Angie Craig, Sharice Davids, Robert Garcia, Chris Pappas, Mark Pocan, Eric Sorensen, Mark Takano, and Ritchie Torres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Meza</span> American politician

Robert Meza is an American politician from Phoenix, Arizona who served as a member of the Arizona House of Representatives from District 30 from 2019 to 2023. He previously served in the Arizona State Senate from 2011 to 2019, and also served four prior terms in the Arizona House of Representatives from 2003 to 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Evan Low</span> American politician (born 1983)

Evan Low is an American politician who served in the California State Assembly from 2014 to 2024. A member of the Democratic Party, he represented the 26th Assembly district, which encompasses parts of Silicon Valley, including Cupertino, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara and portions of northern and western San Jose. He was a member of the California Legislative LGBT Caucus, and served as Chair of the California Asian American & Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus.

The history of LGBT residents in California, which includes centuries prior to the 20th, has become increasingly visible recently with the successes of the LGBT rights movement. In spite of the strong development of early LGBT villages in the state, pro-LGBT activists in California have campaigned against nearly 170 years of especially harsh prosecutions and punishments toward gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Victoria Kolakowski</span> American judge

Victoria Kolakowski is an American lawyer who serves as a judge of the Alameda County Superior Court since January 2011. Kolakowski is the first openly transgender person to serve as a trial court judge of general jurisdiction in the United States, the first elected to a judgeship, and the first to serve as any type of judge in California..

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Equality Pennsylvania</span>

Equality Pennsylvania is an organization which advocates throughout the state of Pennsylvania for LGBT rights. Equality Pennsylvania also attempts to "advance LGBT-friendly policy and legislative initiatives". The organization is a member of the Equality Federation.

Mary Edna González is an American politician who serves in the Texas House of Representatives from House District 75. She is a member of the Democratic Party and was elected in November 2012 to represent an area that includes eastern El Paso County, parts of the city of El Paso and the towns of Socorro, Clint, Fabens, Horizon City, San Elizario and Tornillo. She is also the first openly pansexual elected official in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ash Kalra</span> American politician

Ash Kalra is a Canadian-American politician who has served as a member of the California State Assembly since 2016. A member of the Democratic Party, Kalra previously served on the San Jose City Council from 2008 to 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sabrina Cervantes</span> American politician

Sabrina Cervantes is an American politician who has served a member of the California State Senate since 2024, representing the 31st district. A member of the Democratic Party, she previously served as a member of the California State Assembly from 2016 to 2024, representing the 58th Assembly district, which encompasses the northwestern Riverside County city of Jurupa Valley and portions of the cities of Corona, Eastvale, and Riverside, as well as the San Bernardino County city of Grand Terrace.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rick Zbur</span> American politician

Rick Chavez Zbur is an American attorney currently serving in the California State Assembly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alex Lee (politician)</span> American politician

Alex Tianming Lee is an American politician who has served as a member of the California State Assembly since 2020, having represented the 24th district since 2022 and the 25th district from 2020 to 2022. A member of the Democratic Party, Lee's district includes Fremont, Newark, Sunol, Milpitas, and parts of western San Jose.

References

  1. ↑ Galgiani came out in November 2011
  1. 1 2 "California Legislative LGBT Caucus Elects Laird Chair". California State Assembly. 2006-12-05. Archived from the original on 2008-06-13. Retrieved 2008-06-04.
  2. ↑ "California Legislature's gay caucus introduces anti-Prop. 8 resolution". Sacramento Bee . 2008-12-03. Archived from the original on December 16, 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-31.
  3. ↑ "GOP Lawmakers Walk Out Over Gay Recognition". News10 . 2006-08-14. Archived from the original on 2007-06-16. Retrieved 2008-06-04.
  4. ↑ "Over GOP objections, Assembly proclaims Pride". Bay Area Reporter . 2009-06-25. Retrieved 2009-06-28.
  5. ↑ Stephen Farber (June 8, 2016). "'Political Animals': LAFF Review". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved June 21, 2016.
  6. ↑ Hindery, Robin (March 8, 2010). "Calif state senator says he's gay after DUI arrest". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Associated Press. Archived from the original on March 10, 2010. Retrieved March 8, 2010.
  7. ↑ "Gay couples are emphasizing low-key weddings". Los Angeles Times . 2008-06-16. Retrieved 2008-06-17.
  8. ↑ "Former Dem chair Torres comes out". Bay Area Reporter . 2009-04-30. Retrieved 2009-04-30.
  9. 1 2 "LGBT Caucus elects Assemblyman Mark Leno as Chair". California State Assembly. 2003-11-06. Archived from the original on 2008-08-28. Retrieved 2008-06-04.
  10. ↑ "Political Notebook: Laird aims to keep LGBT caucus alive". Bay Area Reporter . 2006-12-21. Retrieved 2008-06-04.
  11. ↑ "Political Notebook: Leno gets chair". Bay Area Reporter . 2008-01-29. Retrieved 2009-01-29.
  12. ↑ "Equality California Congratulates New LGBT Caucus Chair Assemblymember Tom Ammiano". 2010-03-19. Archived from the original on 2011-07-17. Retrieved 2010-07-17.
  13. ↑ "Kehoe to chair California LGBT Legislative Caucus". Del Mar Times. Archived from the original on 2011-01-19. Retrieved 2011-01-14.
  14. ↑ "Gordon to seek second state Assembly term". San Mateo Daily Journal. 2012-01-20. Archived from the original on 2012-02-03. Retrieved 2012-01-25.
  15. ↑ "CA LGBT caucus elects first inland lawmaker as chair". Bay Area Reporter. 2015-01-15. Retrieved 2015-01-20.
  16. ↑ "Assemblymember Evan Low elected to serve as chair; Senator Ricardo Lara elected to serve as vice chair of the CA Legislative LGBT Caucus".
  17. ↑ "Wiener elected chair of LGBT caucus". Bay Area Reporter. January 9, 2019.
  18. ↑ "Eggman to chair historic CA LGBTQ caucus". Bay Area Reporter. November 30, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.