Assembly adopts HR 43 designating June 2025 Pride Month and honors 14 leaders

SACRAMENTO — The California State Assembly on Wednesday adopted House Resolution 43, officially recognizing June 2025 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) Pride Month and honoring 14 leaders for their work in the community.

Assemblymember Evan Ward, chair of the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus and the resolution's author, opened the ceremony by saying the month is “both celebration and confrontation, equal parts joy and justice,” and urged lawmakers to stand with LGBTQ+ Californians amid what he and others called a wave of anti-LGBTQ legislation nationally.

The resolution passed by voice vote after the clerk recorded 49 coauthors and members rose in support. Assemblymember Ward asked for the coauthor roll to be opened and later for the voice vote; the clerk recorded that 49 coauthors were added. A prior procedural rules committee resolution to suspend joint rule 61 — to permit consideration of a separate bill (AB 1533) in Appropriations — passed earlier in the day on a recorded roll call, 56 yes, 0 no.

Why it matters: Supporters said the resolution affirms state-level commitment to LGBTQ+ Californians at a time when lawmakers in other states are advancing restrictive measures. Assemblymember Ward and other proponents repeatedly cited national activity, including a figure they said earlier in the remarks: “nearly 600 anti-LGBTQ bills” introduced in state legislatures around the country.

Supporters from multiple legislative caucuses spoke on the Assembly floor. Assemblymember Ramos, speaking for the California Native American Legislative Caucus, urged unity and thanked LGBTQ+ Californians for service in public life. Assemblymember Mark Gonzales, a principal coauthor representing the Latino Legislative Caucus, said, “My name is Mark Gonzales. I'm Latino, and I'm openly gay,” and urged colleagues to reject efforts he described as attempts to erase LGBTQ+ communities. Assemblymember Lee, speaking for the Asian Pacific Islander caucus, recalled Stonewall and described pride as a protest born from resistance. Assemblymember Brian, speaking for the California Legislative Black Caucus, highlighted the historic intersection of Black and LGBTQ+ activism.

Opposition and debate: Assemblymember Kevin DeMaio criticized the resolution as divisive and said it was “a missed opportunity,” telling colleagues the measure endorsed “controversial and extremist policy positions” in his view. DeMaio said he would vote no on the resolution for that reason. Assembly rules interruptions for procedural matters and brief personal recognitions interjected as members debated.

Ceremony and honorees: After adoption, the Assembly staged a Pride Month ceremony on the floor. The clerk read a list of 14 honorees escorted by members; among those named were Susan Kathleen Jester, Joanna and Kathy Martinez, Juan Acosta, Bishop Benita Ramsey, Anthony Foster, Richard Ayoob, Jess Anthony Sanchez, Julia Seidner, Molly O'Neil, Caroline Desert, Nick Arnzend, Sergio Campanone, Suzanne Ford and Jenny Pizer. Chair Ward invited the honorees to the center of the chamber for a group photo and noted a program on members’ desks with biographies and a QR code.

Procedure and votes: The record shows a roll-call vote to suspend joint rule 61 passed 56–0 earlier in the session to allow committee consideration of AB 15 33. The HR 43 coauthor roll was opened and 49 coauthors were recorded; final passage of HR 43 was by voice vote, with the chair declaring “the ayes have it” and the resolution adopted.

The Assembly then recessed the formal remarks and moved on to remaining business and committee announcements.