California is a refuge from anti-LGBTQ policy nationwide. We need funding to keep it that way.
San Francisco, CA -- Horizons Foundation staff members (from left to right): Maritza Martinez, Isidra Varela Rosas, Sofia Figueroa, and Justin Seiter at the 2025 Trans March.
“Six more months!” I shouted as a group of my Horizons Foundation colleagues screamed with excitement.
We were gathered at Dolores Park Friday preparing to embark on this year’s Trans March when the foundation’s president Roger Doughty showed me a press release on his phone. The CA Budget Act of 2025 had passed and—to my surprise—a continuation of funding for the LBTQ health equity contract we manage had survived the budget negotiations, guaranteeing six more months of funds to address health inequities experienced by Californians who identify as lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer.
The poignancy of the time and place of receiving this news struck me. Marching in San Francisco against a flurry of attacks on the Trans community, including denying gender-affirming care for trans youth, censoring LGBTQ voices in classroom curriculum, and defunding queer youth support through the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline —all devastating blows to the LGBTQ community nationwide—I couldn’t help but reflect upon how California’s support of LGBTQ communities continues to be critically important, not only for Californians but for all who see the state as a safe haven.
We had all been holding our breath awaiting the fate of our contract with the California Department of Public Health’s Office of Health Equity (OHE). In the governor’s May Revision of the state budget, these funds were stripped and contract cancellation procedures were initiated. It was a rollercoaster of uncertainty as we all rushed to come up with contingency plans and our partners began to offboard clients and let their staff know their positions may no longer exist. Thanks to the advocacy from California’s Health Equity Coalition, the budget that was approved by the state legislature last week restored these funds. Despite the disruption, it's encouraging to see the state of California holds steady as the President and Supreme Court systematically strip away access to critical healthcare for LGBTQ youth, families, and communities.
The OHE contracts fund vital services like peer support, mental health, community building programming, resource navigation, and much more. These services are provided by anchor organizations throughout the state. In the case of our contract, those include: El/La Para TransLatinas, Gender Health Center, Lyon-Martin Community Health, Pacific Center for Human Growth, San Francisco Community Health Center, and Young Women’s Freedom Center. During my time managing this contract, I have witnessed the incredible work made possible by this funding. That only makes the uncertainty of losing this resource in our community all the more nerve-racking. These organizations provide transgender and gender non-conforming clients with individual and relational counseling, translation services to clients accessing healthcare, case management for LBTQ elders, safe spaces for connection and skill-building for youth, and much more. They are a home and a lifeline for so many in our community.
Had these funds not been reinstated, our work would have ended June 30, 2025—unexpectedly six months ahead of schedule—reducing access to essential care for people of all ages. And as we watch the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” travel through Congress, we brace for another round of destructive cuts to healthcare and benefits that will continue to erode our social safety net. Time and time again, I have seen that it is our community organizations who fill the gap in services and uplift our LGBTQ community.
Undoubtedly, the flood of legislation restricting access to healthcare will drive LGBTQ individuals and families to our state given its history and reputation as a refuge. Our partner organizations offering direct services have seen an increase of clients from outside of the state in recent years as other states restrict access to care. Right now, California is a beacon of hope in an otherwise bleak period of our country’s history.
While we are relieved and thankful that the essential funding for LBTQ services remains in the state budget, additional funds are needed to maintain and grow key services for our community to meet the moment. We cannot stand down, but instead must hold our elected officials accountable, support our LGBTQ organizations, and make our voices heard. We’re going to need a lot more than just six more months of funding.
