At an historic gathering in June, more than 30 openly LGBTQ+ elected officials from across LA County assembled to discuss strategies to organize more effectively on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community. The meeting was called by Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang and West Hollywood Councilmember John Heilman, and included elected state, municipal, school and water officials from communities throughout Los Angeles County. According to the Assessor, 45 out, LGBTQ+ elected officials have been identified in the County.
Prang expressed optimism about the potential for the group, stating “With the growing number of LGBTQ+ elected officials in Los Angeles County, we can have a stronger voice working together on behalf of the entire community. With the increasing attacks on our community in many states, it is important that we stand together to protect our rights and liberties. As elected officials working together, we will be able to advocate more effectively for policies, programs and legislation that ensure equality and safety for everyone.”
Said Heilman, “The meeting of Los Angeles County LGBTQ elected officials is overdue. It’s important for us to work together to combat attacks on our communities and to encourage other members of the community to serve their communities in elected and appointed positions.”
The group agreed that Los Angeles County lacked sufficient LGBTQ+ political infrastructure necessary to elect and retain local officials and to respond quickly and organizationally to the growing attacks on the LGBTQ+ Community, particularly attacks on transgender people, that are spreading nationwide. Participants noted the recent hate-based protests at local schools in Los Angeles and in Glendale.
Citing the model of the Chinese American Elected Official’s Association (CEO), the group agreed to establish a formal association of LGBTQ+ elected officials with goals of better advocacy, education, mutual support, and public awareness. The new association will tentatively be called “Los Angeles County LGBTQ+ Elected Officials Association,” or “LACLEO.”
State Senator Caroline Menjivar, Assemblymember Rick Zbur, and Equality California Executive Director Tony Hoang were among those who addressed the group.
Historically, while LGBTQ political leadership often came from the westside, most current local officials are from the San Gabriel Valley and represent a diverse group of women, Asian Americans, Latinos and transgender officials.
A steering committee was appointed to plan the next steps for the group, and Assessor Prang, who represents the largest local jurisdiction of any LGBTQ+ elected official in California, volunteered to facilitate the initial meetings.
This development follows a unanimous vote of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on June 6th to empanel a LGBTQ+ Commission, the first Countywide LGBTQ+ body ever assembled.