Post submitted by Christopher Cooke, HRC Regional Field Organizer.  

HRC was proud to join pro-equality advocates earlier this week at Equality California’s annual Advocacy Day at the state capitol in Sacramento to urge lawmakers to continue to advance LGBTQ-inclusive policies. Issues of most urgent need included criminal justice reform, mental health and wellness, health care, HIV & AIDS prevention, transgender and intersex-inclusive policies and youth and education.

After a short training and a rally, hundreds of advocates from across the Golden State met with lawmakers and their staff members to share their stories and support passage of laws that will improve the lives of LGBTQ Californians.

“The advocates were extraordinary,” said Joe Sangirardi, HRC associate director for leadership giving. “They were passionate, willing to open up to legislators about their own experiences and quickly gained confidence in advocating for specific legislation to improve the lives of Californians.”

This legislative session, HRC continues to work with Equality California and lawmakers in Sacramento to advance pro-equality legislation. Pro-equality bills HRC is monitoring this session in California include SB 201, which would protect intersex minors, SB 149, a bill geared toward increasing access to PrEP, and SB 233, which would reform criminal justice laws that can put sex workers at unnecessary risk of harm.

California lawmakers meet year round, so it is not too late for California residents to urge their lawmakers to support pro-equality legislation. To find an event in your area and get involved with HRC, visit hrc.org/volunteer.