California, known for its progressive stance on LGBTQ+ rights, achieved another milestone in the fight for inclusivity as it becomes the first state to officially recognize Transgender History Month. This groundbreaking decision was realized on September 7th when lawmakers voted in favor of House Resolution 57, a historic move propelled by the efforts of Assemblymember Matty Haney. This landmark resolution will see the Golden State acknowledging August as Transgender History Month, commencing in the year 2024.
Before achieving statewide recognition, Transgender History Month had already been independently celebrated in cities like San Francisco and Santa Clara. Following the affirmative vote, a jubilant press conference was held, with Haney and prominent transgender activists coming together to commemorate this significant stride towards inclusivity.
Honey Mahogany, the chair of the San Francisco Democratic Party and a former star of RuPaul’s Drag Race, emphasized the importance of this recognition, stating, “All across this country, we have been seeing the attacks on the trans community, but it’s not just in other states. Even here in California, where we have a sanctuary state, where we have an overwhelming [number] of Democrats representing us in the capitol, we are still seeing acts of violence, we are still seeing attempts at legislating against our community.”
Mahogany further highlighted that Transgender History Month would serve as an opportunity for the trans community to educate people, countering misinformation and anti-trans rhetoric that has become increasingly prevalent.
Assemblymember Matty Haney echoed these sentiments during the press conference, asserting, “As long as there has been a California, there have been transgender people here, contributing to their community, making history, expanding civil rights, and helping to build a California that is more inclusive and prosperous for everyone.”
Towards the conclusion of the conference, trans activist Jupiter Peraza delivered a poignant statement about how Transgender History Month would help “humanize” the community, emphasizing that “Recognizing and learning about transgender history humanizes a marginalized community, a community that has been the target of brutal and hateful legislative attacks in an effort to suppress self-expression and personal liberation.”
The introduction of Transgender History Month in California adds to a growing list of measures aimed at making the state a supportive and inclusive place for its transgender citizens. Last year, Governor Gavin Newsom garnered praise from LGBTQIA+ activists when he signed Senate Bill 107 into law, offering protection to the families of transgender youth refugees and deeming out-of-state criminal arrest warrants related to gender-affirming care as the “lowest priority for law enforcement in California.” This progressive legislation reaffirms California’s commitment to fostering a more inclusive and empathetic society for all its residents.