For Immediate Release — September 14th, 2020 The #GiveUsOurRoses Action brings together trans advocates from across the state of California to push for the passage of AB2218
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Yessica Gonzalez | (323) 379-2032 | yessicag@translatinacoalition.org
SACRAMENTO, CA — Outside of the California State Capitol, activists from across the state of California arrange thousands of flowers and art donated by the community, an action intended to put pressure on Governor Newsom to sign AB2218 into law, the Transgender Wellness and Equity Fund.
AB2218 (Santiago) is a bill currently on the Governor’s Desk that, if signed, would create a Transgender Wellness and Equity Fund within the CA Department of Public Health for the purposes of funding holistic health services for transgender, gender non-conforming, and intersex (TGI) people.
Sacramento resident and trans activist, Ebony Ava Harper says “We are starting to see the impact of COVID-19 in transgender communities across the State of California. Transgender communities across the state that were already vulnerable are further disadvantaged due to this pandemic. We are in a state of emergency, and AB2218 is here at the right time! Assembly Bill 2218 would allow health officials to support a community struggling to respond to such a massive threat with little to no resources. California has always led the fight for transgender equality. It's time we lead by example and show this Administration that transgender health equity is a priority in the Great State of California.”
If signed into law, AB 2218 would be the first of its kind across the nation that specifically allocates funding for TGI people.
Michae De La Cuadra of the TransLatin@ Coalition says, ““This bill is a form of accountability to California and other states, for years of neglect on TGI people. For years we have been erased, discriminated against, and underestimated. But now, with AB 2218, we show that we have power and we can create policies that give us access to resources that we deserve. We know that it won’t stop here and we will continue to push until we reach justice and equity.”
On September 16th, 2020 at 8 AM advocates of AB2218 will gather at the capitol to show that California must #InvestInTransLives.
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