Pride Month starts today, June 1, and already rainbow flags have started going up in cities around Monterey County. Sara Rubin here, reflecting on how normal this has become—nine out of our county’s 12 cities are holding Pride flag-raising ceremonies this year. Openly gay elected officials serve on decision-making bodies throughout the county, from Carmel to Marina to Salinas. The rainbow flags and official statements of allyship are just part of the civic fabric. By the time Monterey Peninsula Pride’s annual event rolls around on June 27, it will be time for a party.
But there are reminders everywhere that although our society has made a lot of progress—to be celebrated, yes—there is still so much work to be done.
“We are seeing anti-trans rhetoric sneaking into local policies. That’s not only unacceptable, but dangerous,” says Mel Zaragoza, board chair of Monterey Peninsula Pride.
I found myself talking to Zaragoza for perspective because I was so startled by comments in Seaside City Council’s chambers on May 21 when it came time for the council to approve a resolution declaring Seaside as a sanctuary city for transgender people.
The resolution is symbolic in nature—it does not create a new city program and explicitly acknowledges the City will comply with federal and state laws. But it declares Seaside as a safe haven.
“City resources should not be used to assist in the enforcement of out-of-state laws or actions that seek to criminalize, penalize, investigate, or punish individuals for seeking, receiving, providing, supporting, or assisting with lawful gender-affirming care or related support services in California,” the resolution states.
It’s not all warm and fuzzy—the resolution also acknowledges some of the ugly truths. “Transgender and gender-diverse people throughout the United States continue to face discrimination, harassment, stigma, threats of violence, barriers to healthcare, and efforts to limit their rights and freedoms.”
I was surprised by the vocal opposition in the room, and so was City Councilmember Alexis García-Arrazola, who brought forward the resolution after hearing from constituents who fear for their safety. (He says he’s heard from trans constituents who are undocumented immigrants, layering their concerns during a time when their existence in the U.S. is under attack.)
“I was just shocked, disheartened and frustrated,” García-Arrazola says. “It’s important right now to protect those who might feel uncertain as to what’s going on and at least give reassurance that Seaside is doing everything we can to ensure they are seen, heard and protected.”
It’s a dark truth that in the United States today, many people are being told by the federal administration that they are not seen, heard or protected. Our power and opportunity locally is to continue to express that here, they are.
Zaragoza pointed out to me that especially when the trans community in particular is under attack, the work falls on people who are not trans—people like me and like her—to step up.
“It’s important to keep our allyship out loud and in the open,” she says. “Open, welcoming allyship can really save lives.”