A quick update on our ongoing work securing the resources we need to provide the support programming, school trainings, and family advocacy we so love to provide for LGBTQ families in Oakland.
In late May we learned our regular funding was not renewed (after nearly 10 very successful grantee years), and that we needed to appeal to the Oakland City Council. Since then the Oakland City Council has been reviewing and debating amendments to the year’s budget, which include funding provisions for so many urgently needed Oakland resources: fair pay for Oakland workers; proper supports and resources for unhoused Oaklanders, park maintenance, fire abatement, and so much more.
We’ve attended and spoken at the past two City Council meetings, last night reminding City Council members just how many LGBTQ-headed families call Oakland home (a ton: Oakland’s got the state’s largest % of LGBTQ families), how many districts we live in (all of them), and how many of us really need the support the City of Oakland would provide.
If you haven’t yet, please let the City Council know that resources for LGBTQ families are indeed very much noticed and and very much needed:
- Oakland residents: find your district (if you don’t already know it) and email your council member. Ask them to support LGBTQ Families in Oakland by voting “Yes” on Rebecca Kaplan’s budget. Let them know why it matters so much to you that Oakland LGBTQ family support remains fully funded!
- If you live outside Oakland but have come to rely on Oakland programming, as so many of us East Bay residents have for years, please contact City Council President Rebecca Kaplan and say the same.
The City Council will have one last meeting next Monday, June 24th (cliff hanger!), at which they’ll vote on the amended budget proposal. Throughout this process, we’ve put our thinking caps on around summer programming, and will share again when the full picture comes into focus next week.
Meanwhile, thank you for your ongoing support. OFC was founded over 20 years ago by LGBTQ parent community members with vision and initiative, and we will continue to thrive with that same vision and initiative.
