Gavin Newsom was sworn in Monday as California’s 40th governor and he specifically highlighted the need to improve the lives of our youth, our folks experiencing homelessness and the LGBTQ+ community.
“So 15 years ago, when I was a new mayor and I heard politicians in Washington sneering at ‘California values’ and attacking our LGBTQ community, I remembered what my father taught me: That ‘it’s never the wrong time to do the right thing.’ And that’s what we did.” Newsom said. “Just like 15 years ago, now is a time for courage. We will stand up for what’s right, and we will defend our people. My pledge to every Californian is this: no matter what comes at us, I will have your back.”
He also spoke about the state standing up against Washington’s policies on everything from the environment, immigration and LGBT rights to women’s reproductive access. Newsom and Trump have traded barbs in the past and just last week the California politician blasted the president’s threat to close the southern border as “irresponsible, irrational and absurd.”
In response to the inauguration, California Public Radio’s Insight with Beth Ruyak brought on air The Sacramento LGBT Community Center’s Executive Director David Heitstuman, Samantha Tran from Children Now and Cathy Creswell from the Sacramento Housing Alliance to discuss where we are locally and what steps are still needing to be taken at the government level.
“Kids and youth are leading the conversation, in California, about what an inclusive and equitable future looks like for society, and I think we would be wise to listen to them,” said Heitstuman.
The Sacramento LGBT Community Center already regularly works both parallel to and with organization locally to make equity possible in our region. We are currently participating in a historic 100 Day Challenge to house 200+ unhoused youth and are already half-way there (with more than 50 days remaining) as well as working with local school districts to assure that all youth are being taught inclusivity in the classroom as well as the home.
Click to listen to the segment from CPR here.
Looking to help build a future that is uplifting and inclusive? We have lots of opportunities.
Let us know what you’d like to do!
- Volunteer at the Center
- Help us house 200+ youth for the 100 Day Challenge! ‘But how?’ You may ask.
- Have a room/house/apartment to rent – Email Sac100Days@Gmail.com
- Willing to mentor and employ a youth that was experiencing homelessness? – Email Sac100Days@Gmail.com
- Looking to donate furniture, clothes, bikes, cars, etc? – Email Sac100Days@Gmail.com
- The biennial Point-in-Time count of unhoused in Sacramento is coming and if you’d like to volunteer, here’s the application.
- Does your school, workplace, organization need some diversity training? Email Rachel.Henry@saccenter.org
- Become a monthly donor — it is truly how we keep growing our programs and our reach.
