There will be no honeymoon for a number of freshmen members of the Legislative LGBTQ Caucus in Sacramento, as they have been assigned high-profile leadership posts during their first year in the Legislature. Out members of the Statehouse's two chambers will be at the center of a number of crucial issues confronting California and its residents, with those from Los Angeles County beginning the year trying to assist their constituents, family, and friends impacted by the devastating wildfires that erupted amid a fierce offshore windstorm last week.
One of the more senior leadership roles in the state Assembly has gone to gay Assemblymember Mark González (D-Los Angeles), who is serving as majority whip. Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) named González a member of his leadership and floor teams in late December.
In an Instagram post González stated he was "deeply honored" to have the trust of his chamber's leader to serve in the role. He is responsible for securing or "whipping up" votes for legislation backed by Rivas and his party tackling such issues as affordable housing and public safety.
"I share the speaker's commitment to delivering practical solutions that make a real difference for all Californians," stated González, a former chair of the Los Angeles Democratic Party. "In this leadership role, I will work tirelessly to ensure critical legislation garners the support needed to move our state forward."
González represents Assembly District 54 covering Boyle Heights, Downtown Los Angeles, Koreatown, Pico Union, and nearby areas. A number of firefighters stationed in his district were sent to help fight the conflagration that destroyed swaths of Pacific Palisades, and González used his political platform to share resources and alerts with his constituents and others impacted by the devastating fires.
"This is an incredibly personal situation, as many of our friends and family have been affected by these massive and destructive wildfires. I have friends, colleagues, and staff members whose homes and loved ones are currently in harm's way," he noted in a January 8 Instagram post. "My thoughts and prayers are with all those who are affected, including our emergency personnel, who are bravely on the front lines."
Also sharing info for those impacted by the fires has been gay Assemblymember José Luis Solache Jr. (D-Lynwood) who represents Assembly District 62 covering Bellflower, Huntington Park, Lakewood, Lynwood, Maywood, Paramount, South Gate, and Walnut Park in Los Angeles County. Rivas tapped him to chair the Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact.
"I look forward to collaborating alongside my colleagues on policies that strengthen economic development and create opportunities for all Californians to thrive," stated Solache, formerly an elected civic and school leader in Lynwood. "Ready to serve and humbled to be entrusted with the leadership of this impactful work."
Senate committees
In the state Senate, gay Senator Christopher Cabaldon (D-Yolo) is chair of the Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on State Administration and General Government. Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire (D-North Coast) tapped Cabaldon, a former mayor of West Sacramento, for the chairmanship earlier this month.
"Today I was appointed to chair the Senate budget subcommittee responsible for so many key issues for California, including housing and homelessness, consumer protection, insurance, technology & innovation, economic development, household savings, cutting red tape, and much more," wrote Cabaldon in a January 3 Instagram post. "I'll be working hard to level up state & local government to get stuff done and deliver results for the people of California."
Fellow newcomer Senator Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Alhambra), the first bisexual woman to serve in the upper chamber, is chairing the important Senate Education Committee. In recent years it has taken up a host of bills to protect LGBTQ students as they have come under fierce attack by Republican lawmakers and conservative parent groups.
Just last week Assemblymember Kate Sanchez (R-Rancho Santa Margarita) introduced Assembly Bill 89 dubbed the Protect Girls' Sports Act that would ban transgender female students from playing on girls' interscholastic sports teams. While all-but-assured of being dead on arrival in the Democratic-controlled Legislature, it is a sign that the attacks on the rights of LGBTQ pupils in the Golden State are not going away.
"This is an extraordinary honor. Education has always been a key policy priority for me. I am so grateful to pro Tem McGuire for entrusting me with this important committee, particularly as we prepare for upcoming changes at the federal level that are likely to present challenges we will need to address," stated Pérez, who served in various roles at a number of educational organizations. "As the first person in my family to graduate college, I know that education is the foundation for changing lives for the better. I look forward to working with my colleagues to put California's students first and ensure quality education and greater access are cornerstones."
She represents the 25th Senate District spanning Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. It includes Altadena, which has been hit hard by the Eaton fire. Like her legislative Southern Californian colleagues, Pérez has also been sharing updates on fire evacuation orders and resources for those impacted via her social media accounts.
"Like so many of you, I'm heartbroken to see so much devastation in Altadena tonight. My heart goes out to all of the people in our district who are impacted by these dangerous wind-swept fires," she wrote in a January 8 Instagram post. "I send my strong appreciation to all of our first responders — Firefighters and police who are putting their lives in danger to save our community."
And lesbian Senator Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside) was named chair of the Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee. She previously served in the Assembly until winning election last fall to her Senate District 31 seat.
Other LGBTQ caucus members given top posts
A number of returning LGBTQ lawmakers in Sacramento will also play key roles this legislative session. Retaining their leadership positions are gay Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego), his chamber's assistant majority whip, and gay Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Hollywood), the Democratic Caucus Chair in his chamber who has also been assisting his constituents impacted by the wildfires this month.
Gay Assemblymember Christopher Ward (D-San Diego), who has taken over leadership of the affinity group for out lawmakers, is chairing the Assembly's Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism. Gay Assemblymember Corey A. Jackson, Ph.D., (D-Moreno Valley) will continue to chair the Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Human Services.
Bisexual Assemblymember Alex Lee (D-San Jose) remains chair of the Human Services Committee. He is also chairing the Legislative Progressive Caucus and has pledged to fight back against the administration of incoming Republican President-elect Donald Trump.
"I am confident that California will remain a beacon of hope and opportunity for all. Our state has shown that progressive and inclusive governance delivers for the people," wrote Lee in an email to his constituents earlier this month. "We welcome all those who want to live in an America that strives for the best — no matter who's in the White House. In this session and the years to come, California must model delivering real, material changes to everyday working families."
In the Senate, gay Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) will continue to chair the powerful Budget and Fiscal Review Committee. He is also chairing the Senate's Legislative Ethics Committee and the Joint Legislative Budget Committee.
Gay Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) is remaining chair of the Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Education, on which Pérez will also serve. Padilla is now chair of the Governmental Organization Committee.
With the state's ongoing budget outlook murky, despite Governor Gavin Newsom announcing last week there was no deficit this year when releasing his 2025-2026 budget proposal, the budget committee in the Senate is stacked with LGBTQ caucus members this year. Joining Wiener on it are Cabaldon, Laird, Pérez, and lesbian Senator Caroline Menjivar (D-San Fernando Valley); Cabaldon was also given a seat on the important Senate Appropriations Committee.
Meanwhile, Menjivar will serve on the Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Health and Human Services. She also has been named chair of the Senate Health Committee. It is a prominent role amid ongoing battles over heath care policies following the COVID pandemic, threats of federal cuts to AIDS and HIV programs, and continued attention on improving the state's collection of LGBTQ health data.
"As chair, I will strive to meet the holistic health and behavioral health needs of our diverse communities statewide," pledged Menjivar. "I will lead the committee in ensuring our recent investments are working as planned and effective, and we will continue to push for greater access to care for the most vulnerable Californians."
She has spent the last week on the ground throughout her district, meeting with fire personnel and those forced to evacuate due to the wildfires. Via her Instagram account, Menjivar posted multiple updates and videos to help keep her constituents informed.
"California has sent extensive resources to assist in the destructive fires in Los Angeles County, and we will continue to activate more resources as the battle wages on," promised Menjivar in one post.
Due to Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Political Notes column will return Monday, January 27.
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Got a tip on LGBTQ politics? Call Matthew S. Bajko at (415) 829-8836 or email [email protected]
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