June 27th, 2025
The Honorable Caroline Menjivar
Senate Health Committee
1021 O Street, Room 3310
Sacramento, CA 95814
Re: Support for Assembly Bill 1487 (Addis)
Dear Chair Menjivar,
LGBTQ+ Inclusivity, Visibility, and Empowerment (LIVE) is pleased to support AB 1487 (Addis), legislation that would rename the Transgender, Gender Nonconforming, and Intersex (TGI) Wellness and Equity Fund to include Two-Spirit peoples and incorporates grants specific to Indigenous and Two-Spirit community members.
LIVE is a program of changemakers that celebrates LGBTQ+ diversity and creates a more inclusive world where LGBTQ+ community members can live authentically. LIVE creates positive change by uplifting and empowering individuals to bolster their voices in policy, stigma reduction, and unifying communities. LIVE is committed to advocating for the health, wellness, and rights of the LGBTQ+ community, ensuring that all individuals can thrive without facing discrimination or barriers to their livelihood.
The TGI Wellness and Equity Fund exists to increase the capacity of health care professionals, providing gender affirming care, facilitating therapeutic arts programs, and assisting, identifying, and referring TGI people to access supportive housing. This bill expands these opportunities and supports to Two-Spirit individuals and the Indigenous community. Additionally, it would provide Workforce development training for Two-Spirit, Transgender, Gender Nonconforming, and Intersex (2TGI) individuals, resettlement and social integration programs 2TGI asylees and immigrants, and diversion programs and outreach to transitional age 2TGI youth.
Given the attacks on the 2TGI community from the federal administration, California cannot become complacent. Data from the US Transgender Population Health Survey indicates that transgender individuals experience more poor mental and physical health days per month than cisgender individuals. In addition, according to the Advocates for Trans Equality, 1 in 5 transgender people have experienced homelessness.
This bill makes significant investments in resources, services, and programs for 2TGI individuals and youth at a time when the LGBTQ+ community faces consistent threats to their livelihood and access to essential supports and services. It is for these reasons that LIVE supports AB 1487 (Addis) 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
