Monica Martinez Leads Commitment to LGBT Community
Led by Fifth District Supervisor Monica Martinez, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to reaffirm the County’s commitment to protect women and the LGBTQ+ community amid harmful federal policies and proposals, and to direct the County Administrative Officer (CAO) to safeguard services and ensure timely responses.
“Given the current political climate, it is important that we reaffirm our commitments to LGBTQ+ individuals and women,” Martinez said. “The ubiquitous, incessant homophobic, transphobic, anti-diversity, and anti-autonomy narratives that are coming from our highest levels of government are taking a real toll on the health of our community.”
The resolution, approved unanimously by the Board, directs the CAO “to work with County departments and community partners to identify opportunities and resources to ensure LGBTQ+ individuals and women continued access to the services they need to lead healthy, happy lives, free of fear of retaliation or discrimination” and to identify any state or federal policies that would interfere or jeopardize related funding.
Acknowledging the County’s decades of formalized support for the wellbeing and health of the LGBTQ+ community and women, the resolution directs the CAO to bring recommended actions to the Board of Supervisors – including requesting a special meeting of the Board if necessary – to combat efforts that conflict with the County’s commitments.
“In a world where hate and prejudice are being emboldened, we need to do everything we can to stand together and protect those who are being attacked,” Martinez said. “This is our message to the community: You are welcome here, and we have your back.”
The Board’s action comes as the President has issued executive orders targeting members of the transgender, non-binary and immigrant communities, as well as sought to defund diversity education and training programs.
During Tuesday’s presentation, the County’s Health Services Agency Director Monica Morales and Equal Employment Opportunity Officer Mitsuno Baurmeister assured the Board, County workforce, and members of the public that the County is bolstering internal resources and collaborating with nonprofit service providers, advocacy organizations and other local jurisdictions to support vulnerable community members.
The County has established a webpage dedicated to providing information and resources for communities directly impacted by recent federal policy actions and statements.
The full text of the Resolution and video of the Board’s discussion is available under agenda item 9 for the January 28, 2025, Board of Supervisors meeting.
About Supervisor Monica Martinez
Supervisor Monica Martinez was elected in November 2024 to the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors representing District 5, which covers the San Lorenzo Valley, Scotts Valley and parts of the City of Santa Cruz. Supervisor Martinez also serves on the governing bodies for Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission, Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO), Santa Margarita Groundwater Agency, and Central Coast Community Energy, among others. She is the first openly LGBTQ+ person elected to the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors and the first woman elected to represent District 5.
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