CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION

99

Introduced by Assembly Member Zbur

(Coauthors: Assembly Members Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Ahrens, Alvarez, Arambula, Ávila Farías, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Caloza, Carrillo, Connolly, Fong, Gabriel, Garcia, Gipson, Haney, Harabedian, Hart, Irwin, Kalra, Krell, Lowenthal, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Patel, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Ramos, Ransom, Rivas, Michelle Rodriguez, Rogers, Blanca Rubio, Schiavo, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Soria, Valencia, Wallis, and Wilson)

May 5, 2026

Relative to International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia.

WHEREAS, The State of California has long been a national and global leader in advancing equality, dignity, and civil rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people; and

WHEREAS, LGBTQ+ individuals are valued members of every community in California, contributing to the economic, cultural, civic, and social fabric of the state in countless ways; and

WHEREAS, Despite significant progress, LGBTQ+ people–particularly transgender and gender expansive individuals–continue to face discrimination, violence, stigma, and systemic barriers in employment, housing, health care, education, and public life; and

WHEREAS, International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) was established to draw global attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by LGBTQ+ people and to promote action to end these injustices; and

WHEREAS, IDAHOBIT is observed annually on May 17 to commemorate the 1990 decision by the World Health Organization to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder, marking a critical milestone in the global movement for LGBTQ+ equality, and serves as a global call to action against hate and discrimination; and

WHEREAS, IDAHOBIT is now recognized in 155 countries, raising awareness of the human rights violations faced by LGBTQ+ individuals worldwide and mobilizing efforts to advance equality and justice; and

WHEREAS, LGBTQ+ people worldwide continue to face criminalization, persecution, and state-sanctioned discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, with many countries maintaining laws that punish same-sex relationships or gender diversity; and

WHEREAS, According to international human rights research, more than 60 countries continue to criminalize consensual same-sex conduct, and in several jurisdictions such laws carry severe penalties, including long-term imprisonment and, in some cases, the death penalty; and

WHEREAS, Global data indicates that a significant share of LGBTQ+ individuals experience violence or harassment in their lifetimes due to their sexual orientation or gender identity, with transgender individuals facing particularly high rates of physical violence and hate-motivated attacks; and

WHEREAS, Studies consistently show that LGBTQ+ people are more likely to experience discrimination in employment, housing, health care, and education, contributing to disparities in income, housing stability, and overall well-being; and

WHEREAS, Research demonstrates that LGBTQ+ youth face disproportionately high rates of bullying, family rejection, and homelessness, and are significantly more likely to experience mental health challenges, including depression and suicidal ideation, compared to their non-LGBTQ+ peers; and

WHEREAS, Data from public health and human rights organizations show that stigma and discrimination remain major barriers to accessing culturally competent and affirming health care for LGBTQ+ individuals worldwide; and

WHEREAS, Reports indicate that many incidents of violence and discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals go unreported due to fear of retaliation, lack of legal protections, mistrust, or mislabeling of LGBTQ+ identities, suggesting that the true scale of these harms is significantly undercounted; and

WHEREAS, Intersectional data shows that LGBTQ+ individuals who are also members of other marginalized communities often face compounded forms of discrimination and heightened vulnerability to violence and exclusion; and

WHEREAS, In the United States, recent years have seen an increase in legislative and social efforts targeting LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly transgender youth, threatening hard-won civil rights and protections; and

WHEREAS, California remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting LGBTQ+ people through inclusive laws, nondiscrimination protections, and policies that affirm the rights and dignity of all individuals regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression; and

WHEREAS, The California State Legislature recognizes the importance of fostering safe, inclusive, and supportive environments where all individuals can live authentically and without fear of discrimination or violence; and

WHEREAS, Allies, advocates, and organizations across California and around the world play a critical role in advancing acceptance, understanding, and equality for LGBTQ+ communities; and

WHEREAS, Observing IDAHOBIT provides an opportunity to reaffirm California’s commitment to combating prejudice, promoting education, and advancing policies that ensure equity and justice for all; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, That the Assembly recognizes May 17, 2026, as International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), and encourages all Californians to stand against hate, support LGBTQ+ communities, and promote a culture of inclusion, respect, and equality; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.