Lines are being drawn for the decennial mapping of political boundaries for California's legislative Assembly and Senate districts, as well as the state's 53 congressional House seats based on last year's census. This decade, there are more LGBTQ members on the California citizens' panel that draws those lines than in 2011.
Meanwhile, an effort to recall Governor Gavin Newsom — a longtime LGBTQ ally — seems to have a good chance of qualifying.
On this week's Out in the Bay, hear implications of these developments for the Golden State's queer residents from Bay Area Reporter assistant editor and politics columnist Matthew S. Bajko, who detailed these issues in two recent articles: "California redistricting commission revs up its work" (February 15) and "Newsom recall backers race to meet March deadline" (Political Notebook, February 3).
Bajko says having LGBTQ reps on the 2020 Citizens Redistricting Commission reduces the risk of queer neighborhoods being split, which came close to happening 10 years ago and could have reduced the likelihood of LGBTQ politicians being elected to represent the community in Sacramento and Washington.
Hear more of Bajko's analysis and nuances not in his B.A.R. articles in his talk with Out in the Bay. Bajko has been covering politics and other news for the B.A.R. for nearly 20 years.
Hear more from Matthew S. Bajko on this week's Out in the Bay - Queer Radio from San Francisco. The program re-airs 9:30 a.m. Saturday, February 20, on KSFP, 102.5 FM in SF only, and is available anytime, anywhere on Out in the Bay's website. Out in the Bay also airs at 10 p.m. Tuesdays on KALW, 91.7 FM throughout the Bay Area.
Eric Jansen hosts Out in the Bay — Queer Radio from San Francisco. Learn more and listen at https://www.outinthebay.org
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