2024 Sacramento Equality Awards: Digital Program

EVENT PROGRAM

Schedule of Events

5:30 pm

Cocktail Reception

6:45 pm

Performance from Sacramento Kings Dancers

Program & Awards Presentations

7:15 pm

Networking Reception

Welcome

Dear Friends & Supporters,

I can hardly believe the words as I write them, but they’re the truth: This year, Equality California celebrates 25 years of fighting for a world that is safe, just, and fully equal for all LGBTQ+ people. What’s more, it fills me with great pride to say that since 2009, I’ve been part of our organization’s journey to becoming the largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization in the nation.

When Equality California was founded, we had no idea that in just a few short years, we would be at the epicenter of one of our time’s great civil rights movements — the fight for marriage equality. While we took on that battle — and eventually won at the highest court in the land — we also continued to build our political and people power, passing the strongest civil rights protections for LGBTQ+ people in the country. With every year that passed, we continued to evolve, taking on all kinds of issues that impact our community, from immigration to gun violence prevention, protecting transgender youth to reducing health and economic disparities, and so much in between.

“While we have much to look back on & acknowledge fondly, we know the most important fights are those still to come.”

While we have much to look back on and acknowledge fondly, we know the most important fights are those still to come. Even with all we’ve achieved over the last quarter century, we’re seeing a disturbing escalation in anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, and far-right extremists attempting to roll back our rights at the local level, in state legislatures, in Congress, and in the courts. Rest assured, we’ve got our eye on the challenges ahead; and though they will be myriad, I am confident we will rise to meet them, especially with your support.

This 25th anniversary year is a special one, so we will certainly take the time to reflect, and to honor the legacy we’ve created. The Equality Awards give us an incredible opportunity to recognize the work of community leaders, policymakers, and public figures advocating for the rights our community has fought to earn over generations, while at the same time continuing to raise critical funds for the work ahead. I look forward to joining you at these celebrations around the Golden State (and in Nevada for our Silver State Equality event) throughout 2024.

Here’s to 25 years of remarkable strides, and to continuing the work for full, lived equality for all. Thank you for being part of our journey for equality.

Until the work is done,

Tony Hoang, He/Him/His Executive Director

Political & Legislative Update

Dear Friends and Supporters,

As we celebrate Equality California’s milestone 25th anniversary, we are reaffirming our commitment to securing full, lived equality for all.

This year, we are conducting our largest electoral and get-out-thevote efforts in the history of the organization, as we fast approach what is sure to be the most important election of our lifetimes. We have endorsed more openly LGBTQ+ and pro-equality candidates than ever before at the federal, state, and local level. We know the path to reclaiming a pro-equality House majority runs through California, and we are confident that voters will help us make that a reality.

“I am beyond proud of the work that Equality California has done for a quarter-century now to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community.”

We are also advancing a bold legislative package this session, which among other priorities includes expanding protections for LGBTQ+ students, combatting discrimination, protecting access to healthcare — including gender-affirming care — supporting LGBTQ+ families, providing resources for unhoused LGBTQ+ youth, and addressing climate change and disaster preparedness. We are grateful for our continued partnership with the Legislative LGBTQ Caucus, and will continue to work hand in hand with them to address the issues that most impact our community.

Equality California is also proud to be leading the charge in the Freedom to Marry campaign, which officially launched on February 12th. This ballot measure will appear before voters in November, and would finally strip away the discriminatory language of Proposition 8 while ensuring that same-sex and interracial marriages are fully protected under State law.

I am beyond proud of the work that Equality California has done for a quarter-century now to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. It is because of your support that we will achieve our mission of a fully just and equal society for all LGBTQ+ people.

Thank you for joining us here in Sacramento! Cheers to many more years with supporters like you!

Tom Temprano, He/Him/His Managing Director of External Affairs

Honoring

California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus

VANGUARD LEADERSHIP AWARD

California’s Legislative LGBTQ Caucus was formed in 2002 to create a forum for California Legislators to discuss issues that affect LGBTQ Californians and to further the goal of equality and justice for all Californians. California became the first state in the United States to officially form a caucus of openly-LGBTQ+ state legislators and continues to be a leader of progress for all Americans. In 2022, California became the first state in the nation to achieve 10% LGBTQ+ representation in its state legislature, and we expect that number to continue to grow. Despite tremendous progress and an unprecedented swell of support for the LGBTQ community worldwide, there is still much work to do to protect and uplift the most vulnerable in our community, including transgender youth and their families who are facing unprecedented attacks - even here in California. The caucus continues to work diligently to support LGBTQ leaders who represent our community at the local, state, and federal levels.

Honoring

Hon. Noel Mora, Natomas Unified School District

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AWARD, CO-HONOREE

Noel (he/him/el) is a lifelong resident of Sacramento, a graduate of Natomas Unified, and a graduate of Sacramento State (where he obtained both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree) Stingers Up! He now works in higher education and has worked with students and youth his entire professional life. He is also on the board of the Stonewall Foundation of Greater Sacramento and the YMCA Sacramento. As a Trustee for Natomas Unified (and the first openly LGBT+ Trustee for his district), he is focused on ensuring equitable educational outcomes for students and supporting the families, educators, and staff that contribute to student success. He also enjoys watching sci-fi, eating new foods, and spending time with his parents and partner.

Honoring

Hon. Michael Vargas, Elks Grove Unified School District

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AWARD, CO-HONOREE

Michael Vargas is an attorney and law professor living in Elk Grove, CA. In 2022, Michael was elected to the Elk Grove Unified School Board, where he currently serves as the board’s Vice-President. In 2023, Michael led a community effort to support LGBTQ+ students and families against a concerted political campaign by anti-LGBTQ+ activists. As part of this effort, Michael led the board in defending the rights of LGBTQ+ students to perform a drag show during a school multicultural festival, championed LGBTQ+ inclusive changes to the district’s comprehensive sexual health curriculum, and built a coalition to block an anti-LGBTQ+ book ban being demanded by political activists associated with Moms For Liberty.

Michael also serves as a Commissioner on the Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity Commission of the American Bar Association (ABA), where he has been instrumental in pushing the ABA, the nation’s largest association of attorneys and law students, to take a strong stance against anti-LGBTQ+ book bans, and in support of the privacy rights of transgender students. At the local level, Michael’s community service includes board positions at the Sacramento County Bar Association, the American Constitution Society’s Sacramento Chapter, and the Elk Grove Historical Society.Outside of work, Michael spends his time with his husband, Brent, and their three dogs, Fenris, Saga, and Baldur.

25th Anniversary & Event Co-Chairs

25 TH ANNIVERSARY STATEWIDE CO-CHAIRS

EVENT CO-CHAIRS

Hon. Malia Cohen

Hon. Angelique Ashby

Hon. Ricardo Lara

Hon. John Laird

Alicia Isaacs-Lee

Hon. Fiona Ma, CPA

Aaron Avery

Mandy Isaacs-Lee

Hon. Tony Thurmond

Joe Gregorich

Host Committee

Hon. Lena Gonzalez

Hon. Steve Hansen

Hon. Gabe Quinto

Hon. Alex Randolph

Hon. Carolyn Wysinger

Vikrum Aiyer

Juan Camacho

Francisco Castillo

Jason Chan

Jeff Freitas

Angelica Gonzalez

Adam Keigwin

Tanner Kelly

Alice Kessler

Emma Manoukian

Dharia McGrew

Alfredo Pedroza

Equality California Board of Directors

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Scott Malzahn, President

Cecilia Cabello, Vice President

Drew Murphy, Secretary

Jason Anderson, Treasurer

Jason Chan, Governance Chair

Jane Natoli, PAC Chair

Joe Gregorich

Hon. Leslie Katz

Hon. Alex Randolph

Hon. Bevan Dufty

Hon. Gabriel Quinto

Brenda Lorena Aguirre

Rachel Anderson

Aaron Avery

Carl Baker

Jerry Bloom

Sue Burnside

Francisco Castillo

Jason Daniels

Sue Dunlap

Janessa Goldbeck

Alicia Isaacs-Lee

Mandy Isaacs-Lee

Thomas Li

Adam Ma

Kate Maeder

John Marciano

Alfredo Pedroza

Liliana Perez

Jeff Riles

Yale Scott

Kasey Suffredini

Nancy Sutley

David J. Tsai

Darrell L. Tucci

Shirin Etessam

Tracey Broadman

Equality California Institute Board of Directors

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Juan Camacho, President

Jeff Freitas, Vice President

Rabbi Barbara Zacky, Secretary

Laurie Hasencamp, Treasurer

Katherine Forster, Governance Chair

Mark Gonzalez

Hon. Anna Caballero

Hon. Lena Gonzalez

Hon. Dallas Harris

Hon. Rafael Mandelman

Hon. Abigail Medina

Hon. Lisa Middleton

Hon. Steve Padilla

David Ambroz

Daniel Arriola

Alberto Bautista

Jamie Bloom

Beth Collins

David Cruz

Ryan Harlow-Nakano

Alberto Nodal

Amy C. Quartarolo

Laura Zagar

Board of Advisors

Susan McCabe, Co-Chair

Richard Poppen, Co-Chair

Hon. Betsy Butler

Hon. Nora Vargas

Hon. Ahmad Zahra

Daniel Allender

Holly Amaya

Eric Andresen

Eric Armstrong

Rami Bachour

Sapphire Blackwood

Nicholas Bloom

Dr. Diandra Bremond

Daniel Brownstone

Trevor Chandler

Tina Choi

Victor Christy

Randy Clark

Roberta Conroy

Ivan Dominguez

Emily Dysart

Trevan Fisher

Sandra Fluke

James Frost

Drexel Heard II

Dylan Jacobs

Conor Johnston

Shreya Key

Billie Lee

Luis Alejandro Liang

Tom Maddox

Jason McCoy

Dharia McGrew

Jesse Melgar

Mark Morales

John Musella

Will Nguyen

Laura Parra

Margaret Raven

Anthony Reyes

Martha Sanchez

Herb Schultz

Dr. Priya Shah

Woody Sides

Natalie Sofer

Brandon Stansel

Erik Terreri

Stephanie Wade

Chris Wagner

William Yi

Executive Director’s Council & Board President Emeritus

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S COUNCIL

Hon. Ricardo Lara

Hon. Betty Yee

Dolores Huerta

Stuart Milk

EQUALITY CALIFORNIA BOARD PRESIDENT EMERITUS

Cary Davidson

Clarissa Filgioun

Andreas Meyer

Joyce Rowland

Luminaries Council

Hon. José Cisneros

Hon. Joe Dunn

Hon. Geoffrey Kors

Hon. James G. Williamson

Hon. Betty Yee

Diane Abbitt

William E. Adams

Lana Barnett

Dave Baron

Xavier Barrera

Marc Blakeman

Daniel R. Brownstone

Bob Burke

Betsy V. Butler

Pat A. Callahan

Mike Cavalluzzi

Rev. Dr. Neil Thomas

Randall Clark

Michael Colbruno

Josephine C. Cole

Paul A. Curtis

Jim A. DeLaHunt

William F. Delvac

Michael Dunn

John J. Duran

Lara E. Embry PhD

Ellen Evans

Carrie Farrell

Chris Frahm

Mariah T. Hanson

Laurette A. Healey

Rabbi Steven Jacobs

Deanna Johnston

Moez Kaba

Deb Kinney

Kirk P. Kleinschmidt

Ellen LaPointe

Sam Leslie

Lloyd E. Levine

Kathy Levinson

Eve Lubalin

Tom Maddox

Dennis H. Mangers

Marty Martinez

Steve W. Mele

Dr. Martin Mendelson

Phil Mercado

Nicole Murray-Ramirez

Bao Nguyen

Ron Oden

Lester Olmstead-Rose

Nico Opper

Jeff A. Orr

Scott R. Palermo

Philippe Phaneuf

Margret Raven

Rick Rivas

Dave Roberts

Donna Sachet

Richard S. Shaffran

Katherine Spillar

Jessica Stebbins Bina

Erik Terreri

Alan Uphold

Hillary Whittington

Greg Williamborg

Leadership Circle & Capitol Club Members

LEADERSHIP CIRCLE

NATIONAL TRAILBLAZER

Rabbi Barbara Zacky

STATE INNOVATOR

Roberta Conroy

REGIONAL INFLUENCERS

Rosemary & Peter Casey

Seth Jacobson

Rich Poppen & Eric Lao

Laurie Hasencamp & Mike Lurey

Joyce Rowland

Tom Safran

LOCAL LEADERS

Susan McCabe & Lee Antoinette

David Benz

Tom Buttgenbach

Cecilia Cabello

Glen Dake

Scott Malzahn & Caesar Herrera

Lori Stanford & Jennifer Hill

Travis Jackson

Herb Schultz & Stuart Leviton

Randy Clark & Tom Maddox

Jacqueline Thomas & DeeAnn McCoy

Andreas Meyer

John Monahan

Danielle Morris

Cary Davidson & Andrew Ogilvie

Dean Pitchford

Dr. Trevan Fischer & Lance Radford

Mark Stuart & Tim Rupe

Laura Zagar

CAPITOL CLUB

ADVOCATES

Kevin Tilden & Dr. Philip Diamond

Kathy Levinson & Naomi Fine

Tyler Gregory

Donald Grether

Christopher Heritage

Michaeljohn Horne

Edward Hoffman & Andrew Karas

Mark Morales

Stephen Nathan

Jane Natoli

Alex Randolph

Beth Schroeder

Darrell Tucci

Proud Supporter of Equality California

Proud Supporter of Equality California

Proud Supporter of Equality California

Proud Supporter of Equality California

We stand with the LGBTQ+ community in health, harmony, and happiness.

Everyone deserves access to inclusive and affirming care, no matter who they love or how they identify. We see you — and celebrate you — for all that is you.

about.kp.org

Proud Supporter of Equality California

Proud Supporter of Equality California

Proud Supporter of Equality California

Proud Supporter of Equality California

Proud Supporter of Equality California

Proud Supporter of Equality California

Proud Supporter of Equality California

SILVER SPONSOR

SILVER SPONSOR

SILVER SPONSOR

SILVER SPONSOR

Proud Supporter of Equality California

Proud Supporter of Equality California

OFFICIAL

Proud Supporter of Equality California

SILVER SPONSOR

SILVER SPONSOR

SILVER SPONSOR

SILVER SPONSOR

Event Sponsors

LEADERSHIP SPONSORS

Amazon AT&T

Sempra Energy

Southwest, Official Airline Sponsor

STATEWIDE SPONSORS

Comcast

Edison International

Kaiser Permanente

La Crema, Official Wine Sponsor

Reed & Davidson

Sutter Health

Uber, Official Rideshare Partner

United Airlines

25 TH ANNIVERSARY PRESENTING SPONSOR

CFT

DIAMOND SPONSOR

American Beverage Association

PLATINUM SPONSORS

Koret Foundation

PG&E

GOLD SPONSORS

Blue Shield of California

California Dental Association

CVS Health

Health Net

Intuit McDonalds

PhRMA

Platinum Advisors

Speaker Robert Rivas

Sacramento Advocates

Smart Justice

Unearth

West Coast University

SILVER SPONSORS

American Property Casualty

Insurance Association

Axiom Advisors

Bicker, Castillo, Fairbanks & Spitz

Public Affairs

California Assisted Living Association

California Labor Federation

Capitol Advocacy

Capitol Connection

Diageo, Official Spirit Sponsor

Fernández, Jensen, Kimmelshue

Government Affairs

JGC Government Relations Inc.

Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals

Omni Government Relations

Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California

Shaw Yoder Antwih Schmelzer & Lange

United Domestic Workers of America

Event Sponsors

BRONZE SPONSORS

Aaron Avery

Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry

California Advisors

California Advocates

California Chamber of Commerce

California Primary Care Association

California Professional Firefighters

Californians Allied for Patient Protection

Carter, Wetch & Associates

Child Support Directors Association of California

Consumer Attorneys of California

County Welfare Directors Association of California

Delgado Government Affairs

Genentech

Governmental Advocates

Lucas Public Affairs

McHugh Koepke Padron

Government Relations

Pfizer Inc.

Sacramento Rainbow Chamber of Commerce

Sam Catalano

Samson Advisors

Stateside Associates

Stonewall Democrats of Greater Sacramento Technet

Councilmember Katie Valenzuela

Vargas Law Partners

Visit Sacramento

ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICIALS SPONSORSHIPS

GOLD SPONSOR

Speaker Robert Rivas

BRONZE SPONSORS

Assemblymember

Cecilia Aguiar-Curry

Councilmember

Katie Valenzuela

EQUALITY CHAMPION SPONSORS

CA Assembly Democratic Caucus Chair

Rick Chavez Zbur

EQUALITY DEFENDER SPONSORS

Assemblymember Greg Wallis

Equality California Staff & Producers

Thank you!

EQUALITY CALIFORNIA STAFF

Tony Hoang, Executive Director

Sunitha Menon, Managing Director of Operations

Tom Temprano, Managing Director of External Affairs

Erin Arendse, Programs Director

Theresa Carlisle, Director of Human Resources and Administration

Shay Franco-Clausen, Political Director

Sarah T. Morrow An, Development Director

Valerie Ploumpis, National Policy Director

Craig Pulsipher, Legislative Director

Jorge Reyes Salinas, Communications Director

Stacy Triolo, Chief Financial Officer

Joel Gemino, Associate Program Director

Jesse Reed, Associate Director of Creative & Marketing

Mallery Jenna Robinson, Associate Program Director

Melissa Stone, Associate Director of Events & Sponsorships

Wendy Anguiano, Program Manager

Aldo Macias Arellano, Executive Manager and Board Liaison

Beatriz Baez, Program Manager

Michelle Castillo, Administration Manager

Jorge Diaz, Program Manager

Eric Hernandez Barraza, Program Manager

Alexandria Hughes, Grants Manager

José Luis Morales, Donor Relations Manager

Jasmine Pantoja-Vila, Communications Manager

Shane M. Stahl, Communications Manager

Bianca Sy, Events Manager

Arie Abija, Events Associate

Andrew Giang, Senior Program Associate

Julz Goff, Senior Program Associate

Alexandra Grissell Gomez, Senior Program Associate

Kae Hodge, Senior Program Associate

Cindy Lopez, Civic Engagement Associate

Nicholas Phillips, Grants AssociatePrograms

Samuel Turley, Civic Engagement Associate

Adrielle Welch-Brooks, Senior Associate of Database Operations

Paton Moody, Legal Fellow

THANK YOU TO OUR EVENT PRODUCERS AT:

2024 Equality Awards Schedule

SAN FRANCISCO

Saturday, April 13, 2024, 6-10pm Fairmont San Francisco

SAN DIEGO

Friday, May 17, 2024, 6-10pm Loews Coronado Bay Resort

LAS VEGAS

Thursday, September 12, 2024, 6-9pm KAOS at The Palms Hotel & Casino

LOS ANGELES

Saturday, October 5, 2024, 6-10pm Fairmont Century Plaza

PALM SPRINGS

Fall 2024

Equality California’s Membership Programs

Equality California is the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization. We are California’s only LGBTQ+ civil rights organization working at all levels of government. For 25 years, our mission has been to defend and improve the rights, health, and political representation of LGBTQ+ people in California & across the nation.

Fulfilling this mission would not be possible without the leadership and support we receive from our members. By becoming a member, you can directly impact the lives of countless individuals by fueling our fight for equality.

Equality California offers three core membership programs: our Leadership Circle, Capitol Club, and our planned giving program, the Equality Society. All three of these programs provide foundational support and enable our work from the classroom to congress. Benefits of these membership programs can include:

ɖ Recognition on materials including on our website and Annual Report

ɖ Special members discounts at events across the state including our Equality Awards

ɖ Insider updates via private quarterly Town Halls and newsletters

ɖ Invitations to private events with EQCA leadership and legislators

To learn more about our membership programs, or to join today, please visit www.eqca.org/membership/ or email donorrelations@eqca.org.