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Equality California on Governor Newsom Signing SB 339, Improving Pharmacist-Delivered PrEP and PEP, Into Law

 Equality California, the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, released the following statement from Executive Director Tony Hoang following Governor Gavin Newsom signing SB 339 into law — a bill authored by Senator Scott Wiener which further expands access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to prevent HIV, specifically the ability of pharmacists to furnish these medications without a doctor’s prescription: “We thank Governor Newsom for signing this critical healthcare legislation. PrEP and PEP prevent thousands of new HIV infections every year, but they are still far too difficult for many Californians to access. SB 339 will make it […]

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California Launches First-Ever Statewide Survey of LGBTQIA+ Older Adults to Identify Needs and Priorities

The California Department of Aging (CDA) and a statewide coalition of LGBTQIA+ community-based organizations and research partners are launching a groundbreaking, statewide online survey of LGBTQIA+ older adults.  “This is an opportunity for LGBTQIA+ older adults to share their perspectives, experiences, needs, and priorities to help inform state policies and programs for older adults,” said CDA Director Susan DeMarois. “There’s no baseline data on the aging experiences and needs of older LGBTQIA+ Californians, so survey responses will help paint a current and comprehensive portrait of this community.” “Studies have shown that LGBTQIA+ individuals face significant barriers to access health care, for […]

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California Senate leader Toni Atkins announces run for governor in 2026

he leader of the California Senate on Friday said she would run for governor in 2026, entering a campaign that is far from the minds of voters but is quickly filling with candidates in a state that requires frequent fundraising to compete in some of the nation’s most expensive media markets. Toni Atkins, a Democrat from San Diego, made history as only the third person and the first woman to hold both of the state Legislature’s top jobs — speaker of the Assembly and president pro tempore of the Senate. Atkins is still in the latter role, but plans to step […]

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Gender-neutral toy aisles required under new law in California

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Major retailers in California are now required to have gender-neutral toy aisles under a new state law. The law, which went into effect Monday, stems from a 2021 bill in the California legislature requiring toy retailers with a physical location in the state and at least 500 employees “to maintain a gender-neutral section or area to be labeled at the discretion of the retailer.” California Assemblymember Evan Low said he was inspired to introduce this bill by an 8-year-old girl who asked, “Why should a store tell me what a girl’s shirt or toy is?” “Her bill will help children express themselves […]

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Happening This Month at Marin County’s Spahr Center

The Spahr Center has moved to:1575 Francisco Blvd. East, San Rafael 94901The building is just before the turnoff to Target and Home Depot. Our phone number continues to be 415/457-2487.  Our staff will be working remotely and online until January 8 when the new location opens for limited services. We will be fully operational in our new home by January 15. More details here.LGBT+ Senior Programs will be fully operational starting January 4 with our Topical Thursday zoom group. January 8 will bring our Monday Living Room Conversation on zoom and we’ll be back to our Second Tuesday in-person group at Mgt. Todd Senior Center […]

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Equality California Endorses 16 Pro-Equality Candidates to Close Out 2023

Equality California, the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, announced the endorsements of 16 pro-equality candidates, including three out LGBTQ+ candidates, running for election at the federal, state, and local level in 2024 — the organization’s latest round of endorsements in its largest electoral effort in history. “We are thrilled to endorse these pro-equality candidates running for elected offices at all levels of government across California,” said Executive Director Tony Hoang. “The challenges we continue to face in creating a world that is just and fully equal for all LGBTQ+ people demand that we elect pro-equality lawmakers and leaders that will […]

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The Spahr Center announces its relocation to a new building in San Rafael

Effective January 1, 2024, this move increases the Center’s physical space by approximately 30%, allowing for designated program areas for the food pantry, community support gatherings, case management, harm reduction, and mental health services.  Located in the heart of San Rafael’s Canal District, the new building positions the Center to better serve the priority population of LGBTQ+ Latinx youth and families.“The Spahr Center is prioritizing mental and behavioral health support for LGBTQ+ LatinX youth and families,” said Renato Talhadas (he/him), Chief Programs Officer. “Similarly, we are increasing our efforts around HIV prevention and education in the Canal District because the […]

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LGBTQ+ Victory Fund Endorses 9 Candidates, Including Evan Low for Congress

Today LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, the only national organization dedicated to electing LGBTQ+ leaders to public office, endorsed nine more out candidates for federal, state and local office around the country. Among the candidates is Evan Low, who is running for Congress in California’s 16th District and would be the first out LGBTQ+ person to represent the Bay Area. LGBTQ+ Victory Fund has endorsed 69 candidates for the 2024 election cycle. LGBTQ+ Victory Fund endorses the following candidates: Lorena Austin (she/they)Arizona House of Representatives, District 9Primary: 8/6/2024General: 11/5/2024 Imani Barnes (she/her)Georgia House of Representatives, District 86Primary: 5/21/2024General: 11/5/2024 Kyra DeGruy Kennedy (she/her)Colorado House of Representatives, District […]

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A Cry for Freedom: Exploring the Castro’s Gay Migration

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The California Migration Museum recently launched a free, immersive audio tourwhich explores how an era of migration to the Castro transformed a sleepy Irish Catholic enclave into a queer homeland. We interviewed Gabby Santas from the project to learn more about the process of creating the tour, and how our archives played a pivotal role in shaping the content. Tell us a bit about the Castro tour. Gabby Santas: At Home in the Castro – our audio tour of San Francisco’s Castro neighborhood – departs from 1957, when Mike, or “Maurice” Gerry opens a hair salon on Castro Street, becoming the first openly […]

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The Parentage Opportunity Program Expands Services to  Include California’s Diverse Families 

“Through the Parentage Opportunity Program, millions of parents have voluntarily established legal parentage for their children, giving them access to the benefits that they deserve,” said Michelle Santiago, Program Manager, California Parentage Opportunity Program. “Now, with the expanded services to parents within the LGBTQ+ community, families of all shapes and sizes have access to our free services.” WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT: The Parentage Opportunity Program honors the validity and value of LGBTQ+ parenting with more supportive services and accessibility to parents of all sexual orientation and gender identities who wish to take responsibility for their children. Legal parentage benefits children throughout their […]

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