2020 Focus of Policy & Advocacy
LGBTQ Seniors
BAYMEC advocates for the livelihood of LGBTQ+ seniors and their right to live independently with dignity. BAYMEC supports social and health care services that enable LGBTQ+ seniors to “age in place” and to live without fear of discrimination or marginalization. BAYMEC recognizes that one of the most important needs seniors face is suitable housing that is both affordable and LGBTQ+ friendly and the need in Silicon Valley for LGBTQ+ senior housing, including assisted living. BAYMEC supports research to address the unique needs specific to LGBTQ+ seniors. BAYMEC supports community partnerships that advance LGBTQ+ senior rights and services.
Transgender & Non-binary Community
BAYMEC advocates for the development of, and public access to, information, resources, knowledge, healthcare, housing and educational sources relating to the transgender and nonbinary community. BAYMEC avidly endorses events and organizations such as TDOV (Trans Day of Visibility), TDOR (Trans Day of Remembrance), and PFLAG. BAYMEC monitors and participates in the education of law enforcement, correctional agencies, and the public regarding transgender and nonbinary issues including safety and domestic and sexual violence. Moreover, BAYMEC tracks, supports, and initiates legislation regarding transgender and nonbinary concerns.
lGBTQ+ Youth
BAYMEC advocates for the rights of youth to grow up in a supportive home and community environment. We do this through education, advocacy, and the support of policies, in order to recognize our identities, create access to programs and services, and our right to exist in this world. BAYMEC supports teaching the history of the LGBTQ+ community in school, which helps to combat feelings of isolation and loneliness among LGBTQ+ youth. As new identities emerge within the LGBTQ+ youth community, BAYMEC will ensure that their voices and issues guide our advocacy. BAYMEC works to support a network of services to support access to housing and food security. BAYMEC advocates for adequate funding of LGBTQ+ youth services to support youth and their families through the coming out and/or transition process in regard to sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
Housing & Homelessness
BAYMEC is committed to identifying the proper policies governing affordable housing, and to extending resources and education regarding LGBTQ+ friendly housing, displacement, homeless youth and seniors, housing discrimination, and rent control. BAYMEC works to ensure representation for the LGBTQ+ community on housing commissions. BAYMEC identifies planning processes, advocates for LGBTQ+ housing issues on municipal agendas, and advocates for making sufficient affordable housing available to the LGBTQ+ community.
Prior Year Policy Advocacy
2019
AB 650 - LGBTQ Mortality Data
ACR 99 - Conversion Therapy
LGBTQ History Project
LGBTQ Coalition Against SJC Airport Chick-fil-A
2018
AB 2153 Support Letter
AB 2439 Support Letter v1 v2
AB 2639
AB 2719
AB 2943
AB 2119
ACR 260
SB 215
SB 463
SB 1152
Milpitas Suicide Prevention
Drag Queen Storytime
LGBTQ Health Framework
San Mateo County Pride Center
Transgender Resolution, LGBTQ Shelter, & World AIDS Day