County of Santa Clara Commemorates 10th Annual South Bay Trans Day of Visibility with a Proclamation and Trans Flag Raising Ceremony
Office of LGBTQ Affairs raises awareness of gender-neutral restrooms in compliance with the California Equal Restroom Access Law
WHAT:
The County of Santa Clara will celebrate the 10th annual South Bay Trans Day of Visibility on Tuesday, March 26, 2019, with a proclamation and flag raising ceremony. Since the 2013 LGBTQ Health Assessment, the County of Santa Clara has been working diligently, focusing on increasing access to services for the trans community. Recently the County opened the Gender Health Center, the first and only clinic in the South Bay specializing in transgender, non-binary and gender diverse individuals of all ages, and the New Haven Inn, an LGBTQ+ Friendly Temporary Housing Facility. County of Santa Clara officials believe for a community to thrive it must be fair, compassionate and inclusive.
“Trans people are our mothers and fathers, our brothers and sisters, our neighbors and friends. They are part of our community. The courage it takes to live their authentic lives openly should be celebrated today and every day,” said County of Santa Clara Supervisor Susan Ellenberg. “Our County’s culture of inclusion is what makes our community great, but there is still much work to do. Today we raise this flag symbolically and literally and we encourage all our communities to do the same and embrace all of our residents.”
California Equal Restroom Access Law Awareness
Additionally, the Office of LGBTQ Affairs will raise awareness of complying with the California Equal Restroom Access law at this event. California Health and Safety Code, HSC 118600, mandates that all single-user toilet facilities in a business establishment, place of public accommodation, or state or local government agency be identified as gender neutral by signage. Displaying this sign signals to employees and to the public support for a positive and non-discriminatory environment. Information will be available to order gender neutral restroom signs through the County of Santa Clara.
“Trans community members have made countless contributions in the County of Santa Clara and around the world. Today we celebrate those contributions and acknowledge their remarkable strength and resilience. In a world where there is still widespread transphobia, violence and discrimination it is important that we give visibility to a community that is vital to the fabric of our society,” said County of Santa Clara Office of LGBTQ Affairs Director Maribel Martinez. “We want the trans community to know that we stand in solidarity with them. We will continue to work tirelessly as allies and friends to raise awareness and speak up because they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.”
WHO:
Supervisor Susan Ellenberg, County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors
David Campos, Deputy County Executive, County of Santa Clara
Maribel Martinez, Director, County of Santa Clara Office of LGBTQ Affairs
Lance Moore, South Bay Trans Day of Visibility Representative
Representatives of LGBTQ organizations
Community leaders, advocates and supporters
Media Availability: Prior to the event and at 10:00 a.m. on the day of the event (Spanish-speaking interviews available).
WHEN:
Tuesday, March 26, 2019, 10:30– 11 a.m.
WHERE:
County of Santa Clara Government Center, James P. McEntee Plaza, 70 W. Hedding Street, San Jose, CA (*Ceremony to be held by the flag poles.)
WHY:
Trans Day of Visibility is meant to raise awareness, educate, validate, and commemorate the immense contributions of the transgender community in the County of Santa Clara. Transgender Day of Visibility is an annual day of observance set aside to celebrate and show support for the trans community.
The International Transgender Day of Visibility has been observed since March 31, 2009. Transgender Day of Visibility also reminds us of our interconnected struggle for justice and our resiliency as a larger community. Transgender people are our family, our co-workers and our friends.
ABOUT THE COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA OFFICE OF LGBTQ AFFAIRS
The Santa Clara County Office of LGBTQ Affairs committed to creating strong bridges throughout Santa Clara County that affirm and embrace the whole person including LGBTQ individuals and their families. We strive to create inclusive systems of support that respond to the critical, often diverse and complex, needs of the over 1.8 million residents of this county, especially those who have been most underserved. We are working to create a social climate with institutional backing that offers multiple pathways for LGBTQ individuals and communities to thrive.
Visit us at: https://lgbtq.sccgov.org/home
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/LGBTQ_SCCgov
ABOUT THE COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA
The County of Santa Clara government serves a diverse, multi-cultural population of 1.9 million residents in Santa Clara County, the sixth largest county in California. With a $7 billion budget, more than 70 agencies/departments and 20,000 employees, the County of Santa Clara plans for the needs of a dynamic community, offers quality services, and promotes a healthy, safe and prosperous community for all. The County provides essential services including public health and environmental protection, medical services through Santa Clara Valley Medical Center (SCVMC), child and adult protection services, homelessness prevention and solutions, roads, parks, libraries, emergency response to disasters, protection of minority communities and those under threat, access to a fair criminal justice system, and scores of other services, particularly for those members of our community in the greatest need.
Visit the County of Santa Clara at: http://www.sccgov.org
Like us on Facebook: http://Facebook.com/County.of.Santa.Clara/
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/sccgov
Media Contact: Larry Little, Office of LGBTQ Affairs, (669) 213-3183.