San Mateo County Establishes State's First LGBTQ Commision

By Bay City News Service:    

California's first commission designed to serve the needs of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer communities will be established in San Mateo County following unanimous approval of a resolution by the county's Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.

Supervisor David Pine sponsored the resolution to establish the LGBTQ commission after members of the LGBTQ community requested a formal body within the county to inform future policy decisions and further the cause of inclusiveness, according to Pine.

State Assemblyman Rich Gordon, who chairs the Legislature's LGBT Caucus, praised the creation of the LGBTQ Commission in the county where he once served as supervisor.

 "I applaud the bold action taken by the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors ... in creating the San Mateo County LGBTQ Commission. This first of its kind commission for the State of California will provide an invaluable perspective to the board, and reflects our community's commitment to tolerance and diversity," Gordon said in a statement.

According to Board of Supervisors spokesman David Burruto, the commission will have nine voting members who will serve three-year terms.

The commission will meet six times a year and will provide recommendations to the Board of Supervisors.

Pine said in a statement that he hopes the newly formed commission will serve as a model for counties and cities in California.