Hello Gaylesta Members!

We invite you all to consider joining Gaylesta’s advocacy committee during a time of exciting change within our organization! 

Since becoming active again in January 2025, we have been a small but mighty core group of 3-4 members. We accomplished a lot last year, and now we need more folks on board to continue our momentum into 2026.

Some of our 2025 efforts included:

• Holding 2 virtual phone/email banks to urge legislators, hospital systems, and our CA Attorney General to protect and codify trans rights into law, and to combat anti-trans legislation impacting the TGNC community across the country.

• Linking up with organizations such as Rainbow Families Action, Equality California, and the California Nurses Union to coordinate efforts and join a growing coalition of organizations with the same goals and values.

• Writing and sending a petition with almost 1000 signatures from healthcare professionals working with the trans community denouncing Governor Newsom’s podcast in which he platformed several far-right figures and shifted his public position on trans rights.

• Writing, sending, and co-signing dozens of letters to institutions such as Stanford, Sutter, Kaiser, and UCSF urging them to continue providing GAC to youth despite legislative attacks.

• Co-facilitating a “Commentathon” with OCGAPNet is a trans-led coalition working to create a community that protects trans lives. https://ocgapnet.my.canva.site/contact-us

Lately, we’ve been doing all correspondence offline through a Signal group, but we would love to start having regular (virtual) meetings again once our committee grows. If you’re thinking of getting involved but are unsure of where to begin, please feel free to reach out to Iain Jasko, Bridget Bertrand, or Molly Gales, whose contact info is listed below. Any of us would be happy to meet with all who are interested to talk about the commitment and responsibilities of the committee. 

This work is so vital during this time where many vulnerable groups are being relentlessly attacked. We welcome anyone with a passion to engage in activism work related to our 2SLGBTQIA+ community. We look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

The Gaylesta Advocacy Committee

Iain Jasko, LMFT | iainrjasko@gmail.com

Molly Gales, LMFT | molly@authentictherapy.net

Bridget Bertrand, LMFT | bridget@expressivearts.work