Dear Friends,

June is Pride Month and I look forward to celebrating it in our community. As we partake in the parades and other festivities, I like to remember that these events mark more than 50 years of struggle.

In 1980 for example, Santa Clara County and San Jose voted against two measures that would have banned discrimination against LGBTQ+ people. It took until 2001 for the first Pride flag – the symbol of LGBTQ+ pride and rights since 1978 – to be raised over City Hall in San Jose by then-councilmember Ken Yeager.

On Monday, June 3, I am hosting a town hall to discuss the history of the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in Silicon Valley with some of the trailblazers of the movement:        

• Ken Yeager, former Santa Clara County Supervisor and author of “Run! My Story of LGBTQ+ Political Power, Equality, and Acceptance in Silicon Valley”
• Senator John Laird, Senate District 17 and one of the first openly gay mayors in the U.S.
• Rich Gordon, former Assemblymember and the first openly gay person to be elected to office in San Mateo County
• Dana Johnson, co-chair of the Pride Initiative and the San Mateo County LGBTQIA+ Commission

While we’ve come a long way in terms of LGBTQ+ acceptance, there is still work to be done. I hope you will join me for a glimpse into this fascinating history. Please click here to RSVP and share your questions with our panelists.

A Living History: The 50-Year Fight for LGBTQ+ Equality in Silicon Valley
A Virtual Town Hall
Monday, June 3
12:30 PM