Here’s the deal: There’s a movement attempting to dial back LGBTQ+ rights by making our public schools less safe, outing trans youth, and even influencing classroom curriculum. If we sit this election out, they win. LGBTQ+ voters and allies are a significant voting block and when we TurnOut & Vote, we win.
This November, let’s TurnOut & Vote to:
Protect the Freedom to Marry by voting YES on Prop 3
Oust anti-LGBTQ+ extremists on our school boards
Pass Measure A in LA County to fund crucial homeless services
Elect pro-LGBTQ+ candidates at all levels of government.
Need to know what’s on the ballot? We got you covered. This Voter Information Guide highlights the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s positions on important ballot measures. Keep reading to see our statewide and Los Angeles County priority recommendations.
Measure A: Half-Cent Sales Tax to Combat Homelessness
Position: YES
The Center is a strong backer of Measure A, as these funds are absolutely essential to providing services to LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness. The measure would establish a half-cent sales tax to replace an existing quarter-cent sales tax which is set to expire in 2027, meaning the county stands to lose hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for critical homeless services if this measure isn’t passed.
Overall, Measure A will both increase investments in homeless services as well as invest in producing more affordable housing, preserve the affordable housing we have, and protect low income renters at risk of homelessness, while enhancing safety by expanding access to mental health care, substance abuse treatment, and other critical services that can help people transition off the streets permanently. It’s time for bold action to address the County’s housing crisis, and Measure A is essential to this effort.
State of California
Proposition 2: $10 Billion in Bonds for Public Schools
Position: YES
By allowing the state to borrow $10 billion in bonds, Proposition 2 would help make way for much-needed repairs and upgrades in K-12 schools and community colleges. Further, 10% of the funds would be specifically committed to small school districts. California’s education system is in desperate need of these funds, and these bonds are the solution. Not only will this improve school facilities, but it will also directly enhance the experiences of all students, including LGBTQ+ students, leading to better health, improved learning, and positive social outcomes.
Proposition 3: Right to Marry
Position: YES
This amendment to the state constitution would solidify same-sex marriage protections in California by repealing the discriminatory language of Prop. 8, defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman. Recent decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court—including the dangerous reversal of Roe v. Wade—have made it clear that our rights are in jeopardy. Proposition 3 would ensure that same-sex marriage is upheld in California regardless of changes at the federal level.
Proposition 5: Reduce Voter-Approval Requirements for Affordable Housing
Position: YES
For more than 50 years, California has required 66% voter approval before local governments can borrow money to build affordable housing and public infrastructure projects. Lowering the voting threshold to 55% opens the door to more affordable housing approvals and vital public infrastructure improvement proposals such as libraries, hospitals, and fire stations. This change would enable essential progress to be made in underserved communities, including for LGBTQ+ people who disproportionately experience homelessness or housing insecurity.
Proposition 6: End Forced Prison Labor
Position: YES
Proposition 6 is a vital constitutional amendment that aims to put an end to involuntary and indentured servitude in state prisons—a practice often regarded as modern enslavement–disproportionately impacting BIPOC communities vastly overrepresented in California prisons. More than 65% of incarcerated individuals were forced to work in prisons last year, performing crucial tasks such as firefighting and road construction for as little as 35 cents an hour. Governments and private companies collectively save at least $1 billion dollars each year from the forced labor of prisoners. Moreover, prisoners could be punished for refusing work assignments. It is time to end this practice once and for all.
Proposition 32: Increase State Minimum Wage
Position: YES
Proposition 32 is crucial for the well-being of millions of Californians. The state’s current minimum wage falls significantly short, leaving many struggling to afford basic necessities. Around 2 in 5 LGBTQ+ adult Californians had difficulty paying for household expenses. As a dedicated social services organization supporting numerous low-income LGBTQ+ individuals, we witness firsthand the hardships faced in securing housing, food, and healthcare. We strongly believe that raising the minimum wage is a vital step towards ensuring economic security for thousands of low-income Californians. It’s time to take action and make a real difference in the lives of our fellow citizens.
Proposition 35: Permanent Tax on Managed Care Organizations
Position: YES
This proposition would make an existing tax permanent on a type of health insurance provider called managed care organizations. The funds raised by the “MCO tax” will be directed toward Medi-Cal, aiding low-income patients across California, including many of the individuals we serve at the Center. By voting to establish this tax permanently, we can secure ongoing support for those in need and ensure continued access to crucial healthcare services.
Proposition 36: Increase Penalties for Theft and Drug-Related Offenses
Position: NO
We are against Proposition 36. If passed, it would reverse the positive impacts of Prop. 47, which reclassified some nonviolent felonies as misdemeanors. Studies have shown that Prop. 47 led to a decrease in repeat offenses, saved the state $800 million, and reduced prison population and racial disparities. Increasing criminalization does not effectively reduce drug use, and can instead lead to unsafe practices, increased health risks and a higher likelihood of overdoses. Enhancing criminalization creates more barriers for those in need—particularly in LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities, which are already disproportionately impacted. Proposition 36 is not the solution to reducing crime; it’s a way to put targets on the backs of marginalized community members.
Disclaimer: The Los Angeles LGBT Center (Center) believes that passing legislation is the role of elected officials, not a simple majority of voters. Many of these ballot measures are of such complexity that few voters will have the opportunity to fully educate themselves on all the issues. To help our community sift through the most important measures in this election, the Center’s Policy & Community Building team has studied each proposition. These are our recommendations for the propositions on which we have chosen to take a position—because of their impact on the LGBTQ community, the services we offer as an organization, or, in many cases, their impact on both.
