WHEREAS, Originating from Indigenous communities of Turtle Island, the concept of Two-Spirit denotes a unique cultural identity that includes various sexual orientation and gender expressions, and intersects with Indigenous LGBTQ+ identities; the term Two-Spirit was first articulated at the Third Annual Intertribal Native American, First Nations, Gay and Lesbian American Conference in the City of Winnipeg in 1990; Two-Spirit peoples hold diverse culturally significant roles in their respective communities; and Two-Spirit is used as an umbrella term and organizing tool to center the diversity of gender identities and sexual orientation expressions, including LGBTQ+, within Indigenous communities that have rich histories, predating European colonization; and

WHEREAS, Over 1,000,000 Americans, including over 300,000 Californians, are Two-Spirit, Transgender, Gender Nonconforming or Nonbinary, or Intersex (2STGI) and have overcome significant hardships to build vibrant and thriving communities, often in the face of systemic and interpersonal prejudice, discrimination, and violence; and

WHEREAS, The International Transgender Day of Visibility encompasses an expansive community of people, including people who identify as Two-Spirit, transgender, gender nonconforming, nonbinary, and/or intersex; and

WHEREAS, While Transgender Day of Remembrance was established in 1999 to honor the transgender communitys pain and memorialize transgender people we have lost due to transgender hate and gender violence, the International Transgender Day of Visibility was subsequently founded over a decade later to celebrate 2STGI people and center joy, hope, and 2STGI identities; and

WHEREAS, 2STGI people have existed throughout history, held prominent cultural and spiritual positions within their communities, and greatly contributed to societies all across the world; and

WHEREAS, 2STGI people throughout history have included the Gala, androgynous and transgender priests of the Sumerian goddess Inanna from 5,000 to 3,000 B.C.E.; Anastasia the Patrician of Alexandria, formerly a lady-in-waiting to an empress who transitioned to presenting masculinely and living as a monk in the sixth century and; Wewha, a celebrated Two-Spirit Zuni spiritual leader, cultural ambassador, and Native American advocate in the 1800s; and

WHEREAS, Visibility for 2STGI people comes in diverse forms, such as showcasing 2STGI stories through art, storytelling, and media; 2STGI people sharing their affirmed names with their families, loved ones, and colleagues; pushing back against attempts to erase the 2STGI community by organizing demonstrations and moving throughout the world openly and authentically; and uplifting the power and beauty of 2STGI people by elevating positive narratives that highlight transgender joy, love, and community; and

WHEREAS, As a result of community activism, determined advocacy, resilience, and undeniable talent, 2STGI people continue to reclaim and tear down systemic barriers set up to exclude them and serve as community and educational leaders, star in award-winning films and television, and hold prominent government positions; and

WHEREAS, 2STGI trailblazers have been visible throughout history, including, but not limited to, Michael Dillon, the first transgender man to transition through hormones and undergo gender-reassignment surgery starting in 1939; Billy Tipton, renowned jazz musician throughout the mid-20th century; and Christine Jorgensen, American actress, singer, recording artist, and activist who became the first person in the United States to have gender-reassignment surgery; and

WHEREAS, 2STGI trailblazers have paved the way for visibility in film, television, and music, including, but not limited to, Yance Ford becoming the first transgender man to receive an Oscar nomination; Alex Newell and J. Harrison Ghee becoming the first openly nonbinary people to win a Tony Award; Laverne Cox becoming the first Black transgender person to produce and star in their own television show; Michaela Jae Rodriguez becoming the first transgender television actress to win a Golden Globe; Kim Petras becoming the first transgender woman to win a Grammy Award; and Karla Sofia Gascon becoming the first openly transgender performer to win a major acting award at the Cannes Film Festival; and

WHEREAS, 2STGI trailblazers have also paved the way for visibility at all levels of government, including, but not limited to, the first openly transgender public officeholder in the United States, Councilmember Joanne Marie Conte elected to serve in the City of Arvada in Colorado in 1991; the first openly transgender trial court judge elected in California, County of Alameda Judge Victoria Kolakowski in 2011; the first openly transgender person to win a Republican primary election for state legislative office, Lauren Scott of Nevada in 2014; the first openly transgender person elected in California for a nonjudicial position, Palm Springs City Councilmember Lisa Middleton in 2017; and the first openly transgender person elected to Congress, Representative Sarah McBride in 2024; and

WHEREAS, In California, across the country, and territories, 2STGI people have courageously and powerfully organized in response to increased hate and violence directed at the 2STGI community, especially towards transgender women of color, yet continue to face a lack of basic needs and services, mainstream media visibility and coverage, recognition, and respect; and

WHEREAS, Celebrating visibility must also come with a recognition that visibility and representation are not substitutes for justice and 2STGI people, particularly 2STGI youth, transgender women of color, individuals with transmasculine identities, and 2STGI refugees, immigrants, and asylees continue to face profound threats to their safety and well-being; and

WHEREAS, The Senate acknowledges that for many, visibility can mean an increased likelihood of harm, and for each 2STGI person killed or lost this year and in years past we mourn them, we honor them, and we say their names; and

WHEREAS, The Senate recognizes and respects that people live in varying levels of being visible in themselves and their 2STGI identities; and

WHEREAS, The Senate also celebrates the beauty and resilience of 2STGI people today and throughout history, and recognizes that 2STGI people have a rich tradition of contributing in myriad ways to the betterment of our society and our state, often working at the forefront of social justice activism and human rights; and

WHEREAS, 2STGI people, and in particular transgender women of color, including, but not limited to, Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson, were instrumental in the foundation of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement in the United States, from the 1965 Dewey lunch counter protests in the City of Philadelphia to the Stonewall uprising in 1969 to the creation of groundbreaking new civil rights organizations; and

WHEREAS, 2STGI people, and in particular transgender women of color, including, but not limited to, California trailblazers Miss Major, Felicia Elizondo, also known as Felicia Flames, and Donna Personna, who were also instrumental in the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement in California and the United States, from the 1966 Comptons Cafeteria riot in the City and County of San Francisco to the 1958 Cooper Do-nuts riot, 196667 Black Cat Tavern protests, and the 1968 The Patch Bar Flower Power protest all in the City of Los Angeles; and

WHEREAS, Civil rights victories won by 2STGI activists have expanded judicial recognition of legal and constitutional protections for gender identity and expression, and provided a greater number of people with the basic protections needed to ensure human dignity and self-determination; however, these rights are still not being effectively implemented and enforced, and they still are not being universally guaranteed, with laws varying by state and locality and regressive measures still being pursued and passed; and

WHEREAS, The Senate recognizes and celebrates the existence, lived experiences, and the innovative ongoing work being done by 2STGI organizations and individuals to build inclusive restorative spaces and to fight for the safety and dignity of those who often remain marginalized in all spaces, especially people with disabilities, undocumented people, people living in poverty, people with access needs, people residing in rural communities, and justice-involved individuals; and

WHEREAS, While California is a leader in defending the rights and safety of 2STGI people, our state is not immune to the national wave of transgender hate, violence, and political attacks. Californias commitment to the 2STGI community is needed even more in the face of rising extremism and hostility here and across the nation and globe; and

WHEREAS, California has become a safe haven for many 2STGI people across the United States, its territories, and beyond, including for its access to health care and robust civil rights laws allowing 2STGI people to live their authentic lives; and

WHEREAS, 2STGI people include, but are not limited to, parents, siblings, children, family, friends, colleagues, congregants, parishioners, neighbors, and caretakers, all deserving of human dignity, safety, and support; and

WHEREAS, In California, we believe in and reaffirm the inherent value of each and every resident of our state, especially our 2STGI communities, individuals, and families, without exception; and

WHEREAS, In California, we believe it is ever more critical to uplift and support our 2STGI residents and reaffirm their right to live visibly, openly, authentically, and unapologetically, without exception; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate hereby proclaims March 31, 2025, as Transgender Day of Visibility; and be it further

Resolved, That the Senate hereby proclaims the week of March 24, 2025, through March 28, 2025, as Transgender Week of Visibility in the capitol; and be it further

Resolved, That the Senate joins communities across our nation to increase awareness about the importance of removing all barriers to 2STGI communities, individuals, and families and upholding human rights for all; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

SR 22

Current Status:

Senate Floor

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