Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Lgbtq Health topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Oakland LGBTQ Community Center urges county support as federal cuts squeeze programs
Summary
Members of the county’s LGBTQ health network described deep disparities and recent grant losses, urged supervisors to prioritize equitable funding and oversight for HIV housing and transgender services, and received an initial $100,000 District 5 commitment from a supervisor.
The Alameda County Board heard a separate presentation on the state of health and wellness in the LGBTQ community, with local advocates asking supervisors for targeted support as federal and private funding streams wane.
Joe Hawkins, CEO and co‑founder of the Oakland LGBTQ Community Center, described the center’s expanded services (clinics, food pantry, youth club and new East Oakland satellite sites) and said the organization has suffered major funding losses and mounting demand. Hawkins highlighted disparities in housing and violence affecting transgender people and called for county action to preserve HIV housing resources (HOPWA) and other targeted supports. "For many of our patients, gender‑affirming care is the difference between life and death," said a provider from TransVision during the meeting.
County public‑health presenters also shared data from the county assessment: prevalence and burden of HIV remain concentrated among Black and Latinx men and gay and bisexual men; youth LGBTQ identification is high; and data gaps remain for transgender and non‑binary residents. Supervisors and staff discussed HOPWA oversight, outreach across county geographies and the need to ensure Medi‑Cal billing pathways continue to reach LGBTQ clients who depend on community clinics.
Supervisor Fortunato Bass announced a $100,000 District 5 allocation in the upcoming budget to help backfill some of the center’s lost grant funding and invited colleagues to consider matching contributions. Community commenters urged the Board to preserve prevention programs (UE LP/PEI), maintain culturally responsive peer and safety‑net services, and use Measure W and other local funding strategically if federal or state cuts materialize.
Next steps: County staff offered to follow up on HOPWA oversight questions; supervisors invited the presenters’ materials to be shared with the full Board and suggested partnership on outreach and resource alignment.
Attributions: Joe Hawkins (Oakland LGBTQ Community Center); Lucy Hernandez (Bay Area Community Health); TransVision presenters; county public‑health staff.
