CA family leave bills aim to benefit LGBTQ workers

by Matthew S. Bajko

Whentheir friend goes in for gender-affirming surgery at a Bay Area health care facility in April, Fresno resident Kaede Coronado-Acuña has offered to drive them and help care for them post the procedure. In order to do so, they will need to take time off from their job as the GSA Network’s Central Valley regional organizer.

“I offered to bring my friend because I remember how difficult it was for my spouse,” said Coronado-Acuña, 23, whose partner had the same surgery. “I know it is going to be a hassle. Their family is not really that supportive, but we are family. Me and my friend, we are all family, so we take care of each other.”

Coronado-Acuña, who is queer and nonbinary, has been in their job five months and is only allowed 40 hours of vacation time. In order to care for their friend, they will need to either use up a week of their vacation hours or apply to have it be covered as paid leave.

“I used my vacation time and some sick time with my spouse as well when they were getting their top surgery last year,” noted Coronado-Acuña, who at the time was employed by the Fresno

From page 10 not want to return to San Diego because he was frightened of Cunanan, who killed five people in 1997. Cunanan died by suicide in July 1997.

A memorial for Dille was put up

From page 1 and fear remain. Lifting the travel ban and putting a program in its place that

Courtesy Kaede Coronado-Acuña

supports proposed legislation that would expand Paid Family Leave to chosen families.

Economic Opportunity Commission. Under a state law that went into effect January 1, Assembly Bill 1041 by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (DOakland), California expanded family leave provisions for workers to include their chosen family members in addition to their biological relatives, spouses, and children. It takes into account how at what is known as “Hibernia Beach” outside the Bank of America building at 18th and Castro streets, a regular site for memorials of deceased LGBTQ community members.

Every Six Weeks did not return a request for comment for this report as of press time, but a former co-worker, Doyle Lavarias, told the B.A.R. that the would infuse inclusive, nonpartisan messages in other states is a way that California can help build a bridge of inclusion and acceptance,” stated Atkins. “At a time when LGBTQ+ rights and protections are being rescinded,