Committee members urge protections for trans youth amid local incidents and statewide threats

Members of the Merced County Cultural Humility, Health Equity & Social Justice Committee spent the bulk of their March 26 meeting focused on safety and supports for transgender and gender‑diverse (TGI) youth and residents. Committee member Katalina Zambrano described local incidents — including one school refusal to distribute a flyer containing the word "queer" and a Visalia photo incident in which student leaders displayed offensive characters — and urged stronger protections and safe spaces.

Committee members also raised concerns about policy trends outside the county. Madsen Neugebauer warned that proposed federal measures could permit broader access to medical records and thus risk exposing TGI patients: "Madsen raises concerns about federal legislation that could allow access to medical records, potentially compromising the privacy and safety of TGI individuals and clients." Katalina further cited an example from another state, saying Kansas had sent letters to more than 1,700 trans individuals and invalidated driver's licenses, underscoring how policy shifts elsewhere can affect local residents.

The committee highlighted local efforts to protect individuals. Katalina shared a recent case in which members helped a trans refugee secure temporary housing and later an apartment; she said volunteers used personal funds to place the person in an Airbnb and that the individual subsequently underwent gender‑affirming surgery. "We were able to help them with an Airbnb with our own funds," Katalina said, describing the direct support the group provided. Members discussed the need for ongoing training, stronger school supports and clearer privacy protections so providers and community groups can keep clients safe.