Contra Costa County supervisor’s personal reflections on Pride Month
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (June 23, 2024) — Pride Month is deeply personal for me as a member of the LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual) community.
On June 4, I was honored to lead the Board of Supervisors’ Pride Presentation for the second time. This year’s event honored Clayton Pride, PFLAG Clayton Concord, Pride Martinez, Rainbow Community Center, the RYSE Center, and the Royal Grand Ducal Council of Alameda and Contra Costa. Contra Costa Health (CCH) staff shared personal testimonies and highlighted the compassionate care CCH offers at the county’s Gender Clinics. This recognition of services and advocates highlights the many ways that Contra Costa County strives to provide an inclusive and welcoming environment.
Over my lifetime, I have watched LGBTQIA+ politicians and advocates work tirelessly toward safety and inclusion. Harvey Milk is one of the most prominent advocates, as he dared to be out of the closet and fight against hateful legislation on a statewide level. He famously fought against the Briggs Initiative in 1978, which was a ballot measure that would have banned lesbian and gay people from working in public schools. The famous Briggs Debate took place at our local Northgate High School between then San Francisco Supervisor Milk and state Sen. John Briggs. Voters defeated the Briggs Initiative, and Milk’s work left a lasting impression on the LGBTQIA+ community.
Breaking down barriers
In the 1980s, HIV/AIDS was on the rise and the medical field needed to build trust and partner with our community to educate and safeguard every person, regardless of sexual orientation. This broke down more barriers for our community. Out of the spotlight, advocates worked to increase the number of safe spaces for the LGBTQIA+ community by creating support groups, inclusive restaurants and bars and, eventually, supplemental health-care services.
In 1995, Ben-David Barr and a group of individuals founded Rainbow Community Center (RCC). Barr was able to turn a social club into an inclusive health-care clinic where services are rendered without prejudice. Barr served as executive director until 2017, and RCC continues to be a resource staffed with LGBTQIA+ individuals, allies and advocates.
Creating safe spaces
When I came out in 2002, I knew that Contra Costa County had come a long way from the conservative community of my youth. I am honored to have been the first openly gay City Councilmember in Pleasant Hill and now the first openly gay member of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors. I know that I am privileged to stand on the shoulders of Milk, Barr and numerous other advocates, and now it is my responsibility to be the “shoulders” for the next generation. I am honored to serve with many LGBTQIA+ public servants, city council members and advocates.
As I reflect on this Pride Month, I want to invite Contra Costa County residents to create safe spaces where the LGBTQIA+ community can feel loved and supported and be their authentic selves. To learn more about ways to support our community, I encourage you to reach out to one of the many organizations named above and ask how you can help.
Ken Carlson is Contra Costa County District IV supervisor. Email questions or comments to SupervisorCarlson@bos.cccounty.us or call his office at 925-655-2350.