The state budget includes landmark investments in LGBTQ+ community centers, gender-affirming care, HIV services, housing assistance, and victim support amid escalating national attacks on LGBTQ+ rights.
LOS ANGELES, June 30, 2026— The Los Angeles LGBT Center today applauded Governor Gavin Newsom and state leaders for signing California’s 2026–27 State Budget into law, delivering what advocates are calling one of the most significant public investments in LGBTQ+ health, wellbeing, and safety in state history.
The budget includes the creation of the state’s first dedicated statewide LGBTQ+ Community Center Fund, a $10 million investment supporting the network of community centers that provide essential healthcare, housing, HIV services, behavioral health care, youth programs, and other lifesaving services to hundreds of thousands of Californians each year.
The budget also delivers major investments in gender-affirming healthcare, HIV prevention and treatment, homelessness services, and support for survivors of crime—reinforcing California’s commitment to protecting LGBTQ+ communities at a time when LGBTQ+ people across the country are facing unprecedented attacks on their rights, healthcare, and safety.
Key Investments Include:
- $10 million for the LGBTQ+ Community Center Fund, creating what is believed to be the nation’s first dedicated statewide investment in LGBTQ+ community centers.
- $26 million for the Transgender Health Care Fund protecting access to medically necessary care.
- $30 million for the Uncompensated Care Grant Program, expanded to include gender-affirming care alongside reproductive healthcare.
- $50 million to strengthen victim services through a Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) backfill.
- $900 million for the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) Program.
- Nearly $1 billion over five years through the ADAP Rebate Fund expenditure plan to strengthen HIV prevention, treatment, care, and efforts to end the epidemics of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
“At a moment when LGBTQ+ communities across the country are under relentless attack and states are dismantling protections for our community, California has chosen a different path—one rooted in dignity, compassion, and action,” said Joe Hollendoner, Chief Executive Officer of the Los Angeles LGBT Center. “This is one of the most significant LGBTQ+ policy victories in our state’s history. These investments will save lives, expand access to healthcare and housing, and strengthen the institutions our communities rely on to survive and thrive.
The creation of what we believe is one of the nation’s first statewide LGBTQ+ Community Center Fund is truly historic. For generations, LGBTQ+ community centers have been places of care, safety, and belonging for people with nowhere else to turn. This budget sends a powerful message to LGBTQ+ Californians—and to the rest of the country—that our communities are valued, protected, and worthy of investment. We hope California’s leadership becomes a model for states across the nation,” added Hollendoner.
The Center also recognized the extraordinary coalition of more than 40 LGBTQ+ community centers, healthcare providers, HIV advocates, housing organizations, survivor advocates, philanthropic partners, legislative champions, and thousands of Californians whose advocacy made these historic investments possible.
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About the Los Angeles LGBT Center
Since 1969 the Los Angeles LGBT Center has cared for, championed, and celebrated LGBTQ+ individuals and families in Los Angeles and beyond. Today, the Center’s nearly 800 employees provide services for more LGBTQ+ people than any other organization in the world, offering programs, services, and global advocacy that span four broad categories: Health, Social Services and Housing, Culture and Education, Leadership and Advocacy. We are an unstoppable force in the fight against bigotry and the struggle to build a better world; a world in which LGBTQ+ people thrive as healthy, equal, and complete members of society.
