Live Archives - Mental Health America of California

LIVE WET Plan Recommendations

August 20^th, 2025

Marisa Root (she/her/hers)
Project Manager, PMP
California Department of Health Care Access and Information
2020 West El Camino Avenue Suite 800,
Sacramento, CA 95833

Re: WET Plan Recommendations

Dear Manager Root,

LGBTQ+ Inclusivity, Visibility, and Empowerment (LIVE) appreciates the opportunity to engage with the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI), regarding the development of the 5-year Workforce, Education, and Training Plan, at the recent stakeholder engagement listening session on August 5^th. LIVE has compiled additional recommendations and feedback for your use below.

Workforce Development & Career Pathways

Concerns surrounding LGBTQ+ individuals entering the workforce without incurring significant debt, particularly for master’s degree programs
Enhanced outreach is needed to better connect LGBTQ+ community members with available scholarships, particularly in rural communities. Additionally the community recommends integrating outreach with existing programs and community based LGBTQ+ organizations
Rural Placement Incentives: Recommendation for sign-on bonuses and financial incentives for LGBTQ+ affirming professionals willing to work in underserved zip codes

Education & Training Improvements

Curriculum Updates: Colleges and universities need modernized LGBTQ+ care curriculum to reflect current best practices
Immersion Experiences: Opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience in LGBTQ+ environments, particularly for those who don’t identify as part of the community
Case Management Training: Behavioral health specialists need training on local resources and effective case management techniques for LGBTQ+ individuals

Support Systems & Infrastructure

Comprehensive Support Models: Recommendation for funding that includes peer mentors or school navigator support built into programs
Transportation & Relocation: Scholarships should support relocation efforts to employment opportunities in high need areas (particularly relevant in areas like Modoc County)
Safe Referral Networks: Build meaningful professional networks that provide safe spaces for client referrals

Service Access & Delivery

Mental Health Access During Education: Need for LGBTQ+ affirmative mental health services for students currently in educational programs
Long Waitlists: Current mental health organizations have extensive waitlists, causing people to “slip through the cracks”
Case Management vs. Therapy: Case management can be more effective than traditional therapy alone in connecting community members to resources

Funding & Sustainability

Current Funding Landscape: Described as “hellish” for LGBTQ+ CBOs that provide services, with constant changes and funding reductions
Gap Analysis Needed: Quick scan required to identify what funding exists and what’s missing, particularly for LGBTQ+ affirming housing and substance use services
Partnership Opportunities: Organizations should partner to make grants and funding more accessible to the community, providing security for clinicians while connecting community to opportunities

Cross-Cutting Considerations

Intersectionality: Recognition that support needs extend beyond just LGBTQ+ identity
Billing Transitions: Ongoing concerns about transition to Medi-Cal billing processes and spending structures

If you have any questions, or if LIVE can provide any assistance on matters concerning the LGBTQ+ community, 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

SB 59 (WIENER) Change of Gender and Sex – Support

June 10th, 2025

The Honorable Ash Kalra
Assembly Judiciary Committee
1020 N Street, Room 104
Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: LIVE Support for Senate Bill 59 (Wiener)

Dear Chair Kalra,

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

AB 1487 (ADDIS) The Two-Spirit, Transgender, Gender Nonconforming, and Intersex Wellness and Equity Fund – Support

June 27^th, 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

SB 622 (GROVE) Sex-segregated school programs and activities – Oppose

April 15^th, 2025

The Honorable Sasha Renée Pérez
Chair, Senate Education Committee
1021 O Street, Room 6740
Sacramento, CA 95814

Re: LIVE Opposition of Senate Bill 622 (Grove)

Dear Chair Pérez,

LGBTQ+ Inclusivity, Visibility, and Empowerment (LIVE) strongly opposes Senate Bill 622 (Grove), which would remove protections that currently allow transgender youth to participate in sex-segregated school programs and activities consistent with their gender identity and instead mandate that they participate based on their sex assigned at birth.

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 community. 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.

Senate Bill 622 (Grove) poses an existential threat to transgender youth by denying their participation in school programs and activities that support their gender identity. This bill not only prevents transgender individuals from participating but forces them to participate in an environment that requires them to deny who they are. According to a 2023 report from The Trevor Project, there has been a 72% increase in suicide attempts among transgender youth due to the rise in anti-transgender laws.[1] These laws attempt to erase the existence of the transgender community and further jeopardizes the health and safety of transgender youth.

It is for these reasons that LIVE opposes SB 622 (Grove) and asks for your “No” 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

[1] News, T. (2025a, February 11). Anti-transgender laws cause up to 72% increase in suicide attempts among transgender and nonbinary youth, study shows. The Trevor Project.

SB 338 (BECKER) Mobile Health for Rural Communities Pilot Program – Support

April 16^th, 2025

The Honorable Caroline Menjivar
Chair, Senate Health Committee
1021 O Street, Room 3310
Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: Support for Senate Bill 338 (Becker)

Dear Chair Menjivar,

Mental Health America of California (MHAC), the California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN) and LGBTQ+ Inclusivity, Visibility, and Empowerment (LIVE) are pleased to support Senate Bill 338 (Becker), legislation that would establish the Mobile Health for Rural Communities Pilot Program with the goal of increasing access to health services, including mental health, for rural communities.

MHAC, CAYEN, and LIVE are dedicated to advancing mental health, wellness, and equity through community-led advocacy, education, and empowerment. By centering the voices of those with lived experience, including youth, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people living with mental health and substance use challenges, we aim to reduce stigma, influence public policy, and create inclusive environments where everyone has access to vital community-based culturally responsive mental health and substance use supports and services.

Access to these services is extremely challenging for individuals in the rural communities, especially youth and the LGBTQ+ community. People often travel for hours for in-person services. Additionally, rural communities lack the appropriate internet infrastructure to support telehealth or virtual services. Senate Bill 338 (Becker) invests in mobile health, bringing services directly to communities in need, reducing barriers to access in-person and virtual health services.

It is for these reasons MHAC, CAYEN, and LIVE support SB 338 (Becker) and respectfully ask for your “Aye” vote. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact MHAC’s Director of Public Policy, Karen Vicari, at kvicari@mhaofca.org, CAYEN’s Public Policy Coordinator Danny Thirakul at dthirakul@mhac.org, or LIVE’s Project Manager Anthony Garibay-Mena at agaribaymena@mhac.org.

In Community,

Heidi L. Strunk
President & CEO

Danny Thirakul
California Youth Empowerment Network
Public Policy Coordinator

Anthony Garibay-Mena
LGBTQ+ Inclusivity, Visibility, and Empowerment
Project Manager

AB 678 (LEE) LGBTQ+ Safe and Inclusive Housing – Support

June 23^rd, 2025

The Honorable Jesse Arreguín
Senate Human Services Committee
1020 N Street, Room 521
Sacramento, CA 95814

Re: LIVE Support for Assembly Bill 678 (Lee)

Dear Chair Arreguín,

LGBTQ+ Inclusivity, Visibility, and Empowerment (LIVE) is pleased to support AB 678 (Lee), legislation that would require the California Interagency Council on Homelessness to coordinate with LGBTQ+ housing providers, nonprofits, advocates, and researchers to recommend policies and best practices for improving services for LGBTQ+ people experiencing homelessness.

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 raise their voices in policymaking, stigma reduction, and unifying community. 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.

Affordability, discrimination, race, and ethnicity are some of the primary challenges the LGBTQ+ community faces when attempting to secure stable and safe housing. LGBTQ+ individuals are twice as likely as non-LGBTQ people to be unhoused.[1] To better support the LGBTQ+ community and address these challenges, California must collaborate with and center the lived experience of the community in the delivery of education, training, resources, and collect data to prevent discrimination, harassment, and violence.

This bill will include LGBTQ+ serving organizations, individuals, and advocates in the creation of best practices and culturally competent services. It is for these reasons that LIVE supports AB 678 (Lee) 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

[1] thisisloyal.com, L. |. (2024, October 31). Housing is an LGBTQ issue. Williams Institute.

AB 554 (GONZALEZ) HIV Prevention – Support

April 22, 2025

The Honorable Mia Bonta
Chair, Assembly health Committee
1020 N Street, Room 390
Sacramento, CA 95814

Re: LIVE Support for Assembly Bill 554 (González)

Dear Chair Bonta,

LGBTQ+ Inclusivity, Visibility, and Empowerment (LIVE) is pleased to support AB 554 (González), legislation that would prohibit health plans from requiring prior authorization, step therapy, or any other protocol designed to delay treatment for HIV/AIDS prevention drugs, devices, and products.

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 community. 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 California Department of Public Health recorded in their 2022 HIV Surveillance Report that 142,772 people were living with HIV.[1] Men who have sex with men (MSM) were identified as a category of people at high risk of transmission of HIV. Access to HIV prevention drugs, devices, and other products is essential to reducing transmission and improving public health and safety for all. This bill ensures health plans cannot delay access to these vital prevention services and supports.

By reducing barriers to timely access, people living with HIV will be able to receive care in a timely manner. It is for these reasons that LIVE supports AB 554 (González) 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

[1] California HIV Surveillance Report – 2022. California Department of Public Health . (n.d.).

SB 497 (WEINER) Protecting Gender Affirming Care – Support

June 10^th, 2025

The Honorable Ash Kalra
Assembly Judiciary Committee
1020 N Street, Room 104
Sacramento, CA 95814

Re: Support for Senate Bill 497 (Weiner)

Dear Chair Kalra,

LGBTQ+ Inclusivity, Visibility, and Empowerment (LIVE) is pleased to support SB 497 (Weiner), legislation that protects an individual’s rights to gender-affirming care by:

1) prohibiting the disclosure of information related to an individual’s gender-affirming care to out-of-state entities, and

2) limiting the sharing of data from the Controlled Substances Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES), as it may be used to identify individuals receiving gender-affirming care.

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 community. 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.

Anti-transgender laws continue to rise across the nation, prohibiting the utilization of essential services, facilities, and healthcare aligned with people’s gender identity. These laws are aimed at erasing the transgender community, denying their entire existence. California is a sanctuary state for the LGBTQ+ community, protecting them from discriminatory policies and ensuring access to care. This bill further strengthens California as a sanctuary for the LGBTQ+ community by protecting people who come from out of state to seek gender-affirming care. By ceasing coordination with out of state entities and prohibiting data sharing related to gender affirming care, this bill ensures individuals can seek care without fear of civil or criminal prosecution.

It is for these reasons that LIVE supports SB 497 (Weiner) 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

AB 932 (IRWIN) Sex and Gender Inclusion in Community Youth Athletics Programs – Support

June 24^th, 2025

The Honorable Thomas Umberg
Senate Judiciary Committee
1021 O Street, Room 3240
Sacramento, CA 95814

Re: LIVE Support for Assembly Bill 932 (Irwin)

Dear Chair,

LGBTQ+ Inclusivity, Visibility, and Empowerment (LIVE) is pleased to support AB 932 (Irwin), legislation that would prohibit schools, cities, and other municipalities from discriminating against a person based on sex or gender in their access to parks, schools, and recreation facilities and resources.

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 community. 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 transgender community faces discrimination in a variety of ways such as but not limited to access to healthcare, housing, and other essential services. They can also face daily scrutiny and discrimination when attempting to use public facilities such as athletic courts, gymnasiums, recreational rooms, and most commonly restrooms. This bill prohibits municipalities from discriminating against people based on sex or gender, ensuring equal access to facilities and resources.

People have a right to recreation and education in which sex and gender are not barriers to access. It is for these reasons that LIVE supports AB 932 (Irwin) 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

AB 727 (GONZÁLEZ) Pupil Identification Cards – Support

June 27^th, 2025

The Honorable Senator Renée Pérez
Chair of the Senate Education Committee
1021 O Street, Room 6740
Sacramento, CA 95814

Re: LIVE Support for AB 727 (González)

Dear Chair Pérez,

LGBTQ+ Inclusivity, Visibility, and Empowerment (LIVE) is pleased to support Assembly Bill 727 (González), legislation that would require schools and institutions of higher education to provide the Trevor Project’s suicide hotline and text line on their students’ identification cards. This bill also provides statewide resources if youth and their families have faced school-based discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying.

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 community. 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.

Suicide among transgender youth increased by 72% between 2018 and 2022, according to a Trevor Project report. This alarming rise is linked to the enactment of anti-transgender laws in 19 states, which have restricted access to gender-affirming medical care, bathroom use, and participation in school activities.[1] As trans lives continue to be lost and at risk, California must step up to provide access to immediate support to trans youth.

AB 727 is a critical measure to combat the LGBTQ+ youth mental health crisis and ensures student have access to suicide prevention resources at their fingertips. AB 727 would require student ID cards for grades 7–12 and at institutions of higher education to include the Trevor Project Crisis Support Line, providing immediate access to life-saving resources.

It is for these reasons that LIVE supports AB 727 (González) 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
Project Manager

[1] News, T. (2025, February 11). Anti-transgender laws cause up to 72% increase in suicide attempts among transgender and nonbinary youth, study shows. The Trevor Project.