April 15th, 2025
The Honorable Thomas Umberg
Senate Judiciary Committee
1021 O Street, Room 3240
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: LIVE Support for Senate Bill 59 (Wiener)
Dear Chair Umberg,
LGBTQ+ Inclusivity, Visibility, and Empowerment (LIVE) is pleased to support Senate Bill 59 (Wiener), legislation that would expand confidentiality protections for all individuals petitioning for a change of gender and sex identifier.
LIVE is a program that celebrates LGBTQ+ diversity and advocates for an inclusive world where all individuals can live authentically and safely. LIVE empowers individuals to amplify their voices in policy, reduce stigma, and strengthen community unity. As anti-transgender legislation continues to be introduced, LIVE is committed to advocating for their existence and rights to vital services.
SB 59 (Wiener) protects individuals who are petitioning to change their gender or sex identifier on official documents. It ensures that these petitions are sealed to protect the privacy and identity of transgender individuals. By sealing the petition and related documents, this bill prevents members of the public from accessing sensitive and private information. This protection is critical for safeguarding individuals from potential discrimination or harassment.
Transgender individuals consistently struggle to access housing and healthcare services due to the mismatch of their gender identity and the gender indicated on identification documents. This mismatch exposes them to potential discrimination and denial of vital services. Although transgender individuals can petition the court to correct their documents, the petition and related filings may still expose sensitive information. This bill takes the first step to ensure gender identity is not a barrier to services and supports that affirm gender identity.
It is for these reasons that LIVE supports SB 59 (Wiener) and asks for your “Aye” vote. If you have any questions, or if LIVE can provide assistance on this bill or any other legislation, please do not hesitate to contact me at agaribaymena@mhac.org or our Public Policy Coordinator, Danny Thirakul, at dthirakul@mhac.org.
In Community,
Anthony Garibay-Mena
LGBTQ+ Inclusivity, Visibility, and Empowerment
Program Manager
