Toni Atkins

Redistricting efforts across the country can keep LGBTQ communities intact creates, further diversify representation and create a pipeline of candidates for higher offices.

California will see its first-ever openly gay governor on Wednesday as out Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins fills in, briefly, while other state officials are traveling outside of California. The state this week is cycling through four Democratic governors as official after official leaves for scheduled travel. Gov. Jerry Brown is on a trade mission in Mexico…

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins, the first lesbian to lead a house of the California Legislature, said Tuesday that more work needs to be done to promote tolerance of gays and lesbians, especially in rural America. Atkins says the “most profound” way of advancing equality is coming out and taking small actions that validate being gay.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California state Assembly Majority Leader Toni Atkins of San Diego has been chosen by her Democratic colleagues to succeed Speaker John A. Pérez as the next Speaker of the Assembly.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Gov. Jerry Brown has signed a bill designed to make it easier for transgender Californians to obtain birth certificates reflecting name and gender changes.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California state Senate on Friday approved a bill to provide transgender citizens improved access to legal name changes and identity documents that accurately reflect their gender identity.

SACRAMENTO — A California Senate committee on Wednesday approved a bill that would require public schools to respect a transgender student’s gender identity in all school programs, activities, and facilities.