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California Legislators, Equality California Condemn Secretary Betsy DeVos for Failing to Protect Transgender Students

(Sacramento) - Following a report published Saturday by Politico's Caitlin Emma detailing U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos's refusal to investigate at least five civil rights complaints filed by transgender students, California Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, Assemblymember Tony Thurmond (D-Richmond), California Legislative LGBT Caucus Chair Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Silicon Valley) and Equality California Executive Director Rick Zbur released the following joint statement:

"Secretary DeVos' egregious failure to protect transgender public school students from discrimination, bullying and harassment is not just a dereliction of her duty to enforce federal civil rights laws, but part of a larger campaign by the Trump-Pence Administration to dehumanize transgender Americans. Time and again, Ms. DeVos has chosen to put her own political agenda ahead of the needs of the nation's most vulnerable students. It is time for Ms. DeVos to take seriously the oath she took to serve all students — including those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender — and to ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn in an environment free of discrimination and harassment."

Bill to Establish June as Pride Month Signed by Governor

SACRAMENTO—Today legislation to establish June as Pride Month in statute was signed into law by Governor Brown. Assembly Bill 2969 is authored by Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Silicon Valley), Chair of the California Legislative LGBT Caucus, and co-authored by all members of the California Legislative LGBT Caucus. AB 2969 is supported by Equality California and the Los Angeles LGBT Center.

Statement on SB 822

“I fundamentally oppose the actions of the federal government and stand in strong support of net neutrality. Yesterday California took matters into our own hands by passing legislation implementing the 2015 Obama FCC rules. SB 822 will not allow blocking, throttling, or paid prioritization; practices that the Obama FCC identified as harmful to open access to the internet.

Bill to Establish June as Pride Month Passes Senate Committee

SACRAMENTO—Legislation to establish June as Pride Month in statute passed the Senate Committee on Governmental Organization by a bipartisan vote of 9-0. Assembly Bill 2969 is authored by Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Silicon Valley), Chair of the California Legislative LGBT Caucus, and co-authored by all members of the California Legislative LGBT Caucus.

Assemblymember Low Honors Palm Springs City Council

SACRAMENTO—Today Assemblymember Evan Low (D-Silicon Valley), chair of the California Legislative LGBT Caucus, honored the Palm Springs Mayor, Mayor pro tem, City Manager, and City Council on the Assembly floor.

The City of Palm Springs made history in November 2017 when it elected the first all LGBTQ city council in the country.