San Mateo Establishes LGBT County Commission

San Mateo County supervisors have created what is believed to be the first LGBT County Commission in California.

At their meeting Tuesday, June 3 the five-member board voted unanimously to create the advisory panel. The supervisors will now be tasked with appointing nine members to the commission, whose terms will begin on or sometime after July 1.

"There was not a single dissenting voice that was raised today, which we are really proud to hear," gay college student Jason Galisatus, who grew up in Redwood City and pushed for the LGBT commission's creation, told the Bay Area Reporter in a phone interview shortly after the vote.

Gay San Mateo County Harbor Commission President Robert Bernardo, who attended the meeting, posted on Facebook following the board's vote that he was "so proud to be a part of California history today: My county is the first in our state to establish a 'purely' lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer commission."

As first reported in the B.A.R. 's Political Notes May 12 online column, board President Dave Pine was the lead sponsor of the resolution to establish the commission.

"This commission will further the cause of inclusiveness, create a resource to help inform future policy decisions affecting the LGBTQ community, and serve as a model for counties and cities in the State," Pine stated in a release issued by his office following the board's vote.

Earlier this year Pine's office and county staffers assisted a working group of county residents that helped craft the resolution and conducted a survey in the spring to gauge the needs of the LGBT community.

LGBT youth issues and LGBT senior needs topped the list. Galisatus, who hopes to serve on the commission, expects the panel's first order of business will be to conduct a more comprehensive review of what issues LGBT San Mateo County residents, particularly those in underserved communities, are facing.

The commission, he predicted, will "bring about sweeping changes to the Peninsula."

The nine commissioners will serve three-year terms. As per the resolution adopted by the board, the commission will meet at least six times a year, implement a yearly work plan, and provide recommendations to the Board of Supervisors at least once a year.

Gay Assemblyman Rich Gordon (D-Menlo Park), a former San Mateo County supervisor who chairs the Legislative LGBT Caucus, applauded the current supervisors for their "bold action" in creating the new 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," stated Gordon.