SACRAMENTO — Equality California, the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization, released the following statement from Executive Director Rick Zbur congratulating Senator Toni Atkins on her swearing in as President Pro Tem of the California Senate today:
“It’s hard to imagine a more qualified and effective leader shattering these two glass ceilings in the California Senate today. But I know for certain that there isn’t anyone more respected. Throughout her career, Senator Atkins has been a role model for her constituents, for other elected officials, for the LGBTQ community and for the next generation of change makers. She’s championed groundbreaking progress for our community and for all Californians. For that, we are all so grateful and look forward to the skilled leadership she will provide to our state. “There are young girls and LGBTQ children across California — and back in Appalachia — who will see the news out of Sacramento today and know that their futures are a whole lot brighter because of the trails Toni has blazed.”
“It’s hard to imagine a more qualified and effective leader shattering these two glass ceilings in the California Senate today. But I know for certain that there isn’t anyone more respected. Throughout her career, Senator Atkins has been a role model for her constituents, for other elected officials, for the LGBTQ community and for the next generation of change makers. She’s championed groundbreaking progress for our community and for all Californians. For that, we are all so grateful and look forward to the skilled leadership she will provide to our state.
“There are young girls and LGBTQ children across California — and back in Appalachia — who will see the news out of Sacramento today and know that their futures are a whole lot brighter because of the trails Toni has blazed.”
Senator Atkins is California’s first female Senate President Pro Tem and the first out member of the LGBTQ community to lead the chamber. Throughout her legislative career, Senator Atkins has championed groundbreaking bills that have advanced LGBTQ civil rights such as SB 179 (Gender Recognition Act of 2017), SB 310 (Name and Dignity Act), AB 1577 (Respect After Death Act) and AB 1211 (Transgender Name Changes, Birth and Death Certificates), among many others. In 2015, Equality California honored Senator Atkins with the Vanguard Leadership Award for her leadership and courage, which have inspired others to be more visible in their personal lives and active in their communities.
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Equality California is the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization. We bring the voices of LGBTQ people and allies to institutions of power in California and across the United States, striving to create a world that is healthy, just, and fully equal for all LGBTQ people. We advance civil rights and social justice by inspiring, advocating and mobilizing through an inclusive movement that works tirelessly on behalf of those we serve. www.eqca.org
