Media Contact:  Denise Spivak, CEO 

CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers 

Phone: 954-765-6024 

Email: Denise@lgbtcenters.org 

CenterLink Submits Amicus Letter in Support of California LGBTQ Elders Case

 

Ft. Lauderdale - Today CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers along with the undersigned [California LGBTQ] organizations submitted this letter in support of the petition for review of the decision in Taking Offense v. State of California.

Review of this decision is necessary to ensure the health and safety of LGBTQ seniors. The 2017 law known as SB219 was designed to protect older LGBTQ residents in nursing homes and was explicitly intended to protect against discrimination or mistreatment based on residents’ sexual orientation or gender identity. What the court failed to realize in this decision is that refusing to utilize proper pronouns when addressing a person not only denies their dignity, but study after study has shown that transgender people who are misgendered face alarming and life-threatening rates of depression and suicidal behavior.

CenterLink also submitted an Amicus Curiae Letter in support of California State Attorney General Rob Bonta's petition of review.

State and national LGBTQ+ organizations like community centers have seen firsthand the harmful effects of misgendering someone who identifies as transgender or nonbinary.  LGBTQ+ seniors deserve protection. SB219 is a crucial tool to help ensure equitable care in long-term care facilities. We stand with the California State Attorney General in defending this vital law.

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CenterLink strengthens, supports, and connects LGBTQ community centers. Founded in 1994, CenterLink plays an important role in addressing the challenges centers face by helping them to improve their organizational and service delivery.