Carl DeMaio, an openly gay Republican assemblymember representing San Diego, accused his Democratic colleagues of advancing what he called an “inflammatory” Pride Month resolution meant to “divide us,” the lawmaker told Newsweek.
Newsweek has reached out to Democratic leaders, including the bill’s sponsor, Assemblymember Chris Ward, for comment via email on Wednesday.
Why It Matters
Pride Month is celebrated every June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York City, according to the Library of Congress. Celebrations take place across the country and world, with large parades in major U.S. cities. This June marks the 10th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court Obergefell v. Hodges decision, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.
California has been at odds with the Trump administration over transgender rights, particularly regarding transgender athletes in girls’ sports.
What To Know
On Monday, Democrats presented the resolution, put forward by Ward. The resolution emphasizes respect and the advancement of “equality for all people,” highlighting California’s history of supporting LGBTQ+ community members, while also recognizing the challenges faced by this community.
DeMaio says he approached Ward earlier with amendments to the resolution, particularly striking out parts that relate to policy, including transgender inclusion in girls’ sports. He told Newsweek the resolution is filled with inflammatory, erroneous rhetoric,” adding that “more importantly, it takes policy positions.”
DeMaio’s problem with the resolution is in part related to the section calling out various anti-LBGTQ+ bills, which reads: “The aforementioned anti-LGBTQ+ bills disproportionately target TGI people and include efforts to prohibit access to lifesaving gender-affirming health care, prevent TGI youth from playing school sports alongside their friends, erase TGI identities from vital records and state driver’s licenses, ban books that include TGI people and history, prohibit TGI people from using restrooms and facilities in accordance with their gender identity, and criminalize TGI people who bravely embrace their authentic selves amid rising hostility.”
“TGI” stands for “transgender, gender diverse, and intersex.”
The Republican lawmaker, who rarely collaborates across the aisle, says his frustration lies in the potential of the resolution, stating that he believes he could have gotten his Republican colleagues to unanimously vote for his edited version of the resolution, which he said would be “historical.”
AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta
On Monday, he spoke against the matter on the floor. During his speech, he was interrupted several times by Democratic Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore Josh Lowenthal. The interruptions were for various members’ birthday announcements.
The Democrats hold a majority in the California State Assembly, with 60 seats to Republicans‘ 19. DeMaio voted against the matter, and the resolution passed.
What People Are Saying
Lindsey Stetson, chair of Log Cabin Republicans of California, told Newsweek: “Partisan Democrats are only for diversity when it conforms to their political ideology. They can’t handle any kind of divergence from their radical orthodoxy. Carl DeMaio has been a practical, pragmatic conservative while living openly and honorably as a gay man, consistently smeared by the gay left. It’s no surprise his leadership in Sacramento presents an existential challenge they desperately try to silence while he exposes their morally -and fiscally- bankrupt policies not only for LGBT individuals, but all Californians.”
The California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus said in a June 18 statement: “The California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus released the following statement condemning U.S. v. Skrmetti Supreme Court ruling, and reaffirms support for transgender youth and their families.”
What Happens Next
As Pride Month comes to a close, numerous large parades and celebrations will take place this weekend, including in San Francisco and New York City.
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