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San Gabriel ad hoc LGBTQ+ recommendations prompt sharp public criticism, council pledges continued dialogue
Summary
An ad hoc subcommittee presented six recommendations to improve outreach and services for the LGBTQ+ community; public speakers, including the former HEAR commission chair, criticized the process as nontransparent and insufficient, while council members described the work as a listening tour and a starting point to be built upon.
City Manager Mark Lazaretto reported that an ad hoc subcommittee (Vice Mayor Menchaca and Councilmember Ding) met several times with community stakeholders and compiled six recommendations intended to strengthen city outreach and resources for LGBTQ+ residents. Recommendations included adding LGBTQ+ service providers to city marketing materials, inviting those providers to city events, and continuing diversity and unconscious‑bias training for staff.
During public comment, former HEAR commission chair Vicky Goto sharply criticized the report as insufficient, alleging it offered "zero commitment" and passed responsibilities to nonprofits without funding, failed to partner with the San Gabriel Valley LGBTQ Center for pledged events, and inappropriately recommended the police serve as a liaison to LGBTQ youth. Goto called the process nontransparent and said the committee did not allow organizations to review recommendations prior to council consideration. Linda Romo, who earlier spoke on other items, also urged fuller community engagement.
Vice Mayor Menchaca and Councilmember Ding defended the ad hoc process as a listening tour that engaged a wide range of stakeholders; several council members said the recommendations were a starting point and supported moving forward while acknowledging the critiques and the need for continued outreach. No formal vote was taken; the report was received and council asked staff to continue engagement with service providers and to return with implementation steps where appropriate.
