Title
Recommendation to Review and Provide Input on the City of Alameda Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) Action Plan. (City Manager 10021030)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jennifer Ott, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In response to a City Council Referral brought by Councilmember Tony Daysog, City Council directed staff to coordinate with City of Alameda (City) departments and relevant Boards and Commissions to take affirmative steps toward supporting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) communities in the City. After soliciting input from the City’s Department Heads, Social Services and Human Relations Board, Library Board and Recreation and Parks Commission, staff is now seeking feedback from City Council on existing programs, services and partnerships as well as additional opportunities to lift up and support LGBTQ communities in Alameda.
BACKGROUND
On May 6, 2025, in response to a City Council Referral brought by Councilmember Tony Daysog, City Council directed staff to work with Department Heads and Boards/Commissions to take affirmative steps toward supporting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) communities in the City.
The City of Alameda’s Executive Management Team, comprised of Directors of all City departments, developed an initial draft LGBTQ Action Plan by outlining existing partnerships, programs, services and actions to support the LGBTQ communities and identifying additional opportunities.
On August 27, 2025, staff met with the Social Services and Human Relations Board (SSHRB) who identified more opportunities to support the LGBTQ communities. SSHRB Boardmembers expressed appreciation for lifting up ways to support LGBTQ communities and the work already being done by the City. Boardmembers expressed support for prioritizing funding to convert public restrooms to gender inclusive, particularly at the Libraries and Veteran’s Building where QTAC (Queer Teen Alameda Center), the LGBTQ+ teen program meets. They also added opportunities such as including resources for LGBTQ individuals and families, particularly the transgender community, on the City website and capturing inclusive demographic data on all City surveys.
Staff will also be receiving feedback from the Library Board on September 10, 2025 and the Recreation and Parks Commission on September 11, 2025. Feedback from these Boards and Commissions will be incorporated into the draft LGBTQ Action Plan and Exhibit 1 will be updated next week.
DISCUSSION
The LGBTQ Action Plan is intended to focus on local, actionable items that directly support and lift up LGBTQ communities to continue furthering the Alameda values to make the City a welcoming place for everyone.
The LGBTQ Action Plan includes an extensive list of existing City partnerships, programs, services and actions that the City is already taking. A few highlights include:
- Partnership with Alameda Pride on QTAC, an LGBTQ teen center, and Pride in the Park
- Updated policies and other key documents with gender neutral language
- LGBTQ themed books and Pride programming at Alameda Free Library
- Pride month recognition with a proclamation read each June at the City Council meeting, inclusive Pride flag flown at key City facilities, and marketing LGBTQ-owned businesses through the “I Am Alameda” economic development social media campaign
- City Council adopted Legislative Agenda includes a legislative focus area to “Support human rights, services, access to healthcare, and protection from discrimination for people who identify as LGBTQ+.”
- Civil service marriages for everyone
- Converting public restrooms to all gender inclusive restrooms when renovation occurs
Additionally, the LGBTQ Action Plan includes ideas for more opportunities such as:
- Celebrating International Transgender Day of Visibility in March
- Providing resources for LGBTQ individuals and families on the City website
- Including inclusive demographics on all City surveys
Staff is seeking City Council feedback on both existing programs and services as well as opportunities to further support the LGBTQ communities in Alameda.
ALTERNATIVES
- Provide comments on the City LGBTQ Action Plan
- Recommend revisions to the City LGBTQ Action Plan
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact to creating and accepting the LGBTQ Action Plan. However, any new capital projects or programs/services may require financial contributions from the City that would be subject to future City Council approval.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with the Alameda Municipal Code. It is consistent with the City Strategic Plan Vision in which Alameda is an inclusive and connected community where everyone is welcome and supported with robust and sustainable city services.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action does not constitute a “project” as defined in California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378 and therefore no further CEQA analysis is required.
CLIMATE IMPACT
There are no identifiable climate impacts or climate action opportunities associated with the subject of this report.
RECOMMENDATION
Review and provide input on the City of Alameda LGBTQ Action Plan.
Respectfully submitted,
Amy Wooldridge, Assistant City Manager
Exhibit:
1. LGBTQ Action Plan