Sacramento – Assemblymember Michael Allen (D – San Rafael) announced today that he received a perfect 100% score for his votes on legislation of importance to the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual and Transgendered (LGBT) community. Allen's score was provided by the statewide advocacy group Equality California, which says the 2011 legislative session featured the largest number of pro-LGBT bills – 10 – signed into law in the state's history.
Two of the new laws are the first of their kind in the country and reaffirm California's leadership role in the efforts to promote greater equality. The first – the Fair, Accurate, Inclusive and Respectful (FAIR) Education Act (Senate Bill 48), authored by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) – ensures that all California students will learn about the role and contributions of LGBT people in the development of California and the country. The second – the Judicial Applicant & Appointment Demographics Inclusion Act, authored by Senator Ellen Corbett (D – San Leandro) – will help to identify qualified LGBT candidates for appointment to California courts. Assemblymember Allen co-authored the FAIR Education Act bill.
Assemblymember Allen was also co-author of another bill, known as "Seth's Law" and introduced by Assemblymember Tom Ammiano (D – San Francisco), tightens anti-bullying policies in California schools by ensuring that all schools have clear and consistent policies and by establishing timelines for investigating claims of bullying. According to Assemblymember Allen, "This new law will help provide a safe and respectful environment for all California students."
Founded in 1998, Equality California has advocated for increased legal protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals, helping California to develop some of the most comprehensive civil rights protections in the nation.
Allen, who is the Assembly's Assistant Majority Floor Leader, said that "I am proud to be part of a state legislature which continues to roll back legal roadblocks for, and acts of discrimination against, members of the LGBT community. We have clearly come a long way in that regard, but there is also much more work left to be done."
Allen currently represents California's 7th Assembly District, comprised of Napa County plus portions of Solano and Sonoma Counties.
Contact: David W. Miller (916) 319-2572
