In this issue: January Meeting, Annual Member Survey, and a Call to Action

Our January Meeting


Equality California and the Fight to Protect LGBTQ+ Rights


Tuesday, January 27, 7 PM


With LGBTQ+ rights under attack, we need to stay informed and take action. Join us to hear an update from Tom Temprano of Equality California about key legal issues, recent court rulings, and the efforts to oppose harmful federal actions, including around medically necessary healthcare, among other issues. Tom will share recent progress, help us understand the legal landscape, and give us ways we can take action to advocate for the protection, health, and well-being of our LGBTQ+ loved ones.


Speaker: As managing director, Tom Temprano (he/him) oversees Equality California's operations and serves as deputy to the director - yet still makes time to share his deep knowledge about LGBTQ+ equality with the community. Equality California is a nonprofit organization that advocates for the rights of LGBTQ+ people in California through programs including electoral strategy, legislative influence, legal defense, education, and leadership cultivation. Note, as a 501(c)(3) organization, PFLAG Oakland-East Bay does not endorse candidates or political campaigns.


Our January meeting will also include the election of board officers for 2026. After the program, we will hold space for confidential sharing and support. No matter what your relationship with your LGBTQ+ loved one(s) is like, we welcome you at our events with no judgment and lots of love.


Meetings are held from 7-9 PM in the Campbell Room at St. John's Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Avenue in Berkeley (look for the PFLAG banner). Masks are optional. We ask that you not attend if you are feeling unwell or if you've been in contact with anyone who is unwell. Between meetings, our board is still here to connect with you one-on-one. Email pflagoeb@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail at 510-562-7692 and we will call you back.

Give Us Your Feedback and Ideas for Programs in 2026


Deadline: January 31


As we plan our programs and activities for 2026, we are eager to hear from you!


What resources and information are you seeking? How can we support your experience or your loved ones' journeys as an LGBTQ+ individual? We welcome your feedback and ideas for program topics and speakers for the coming year.



Please share your feedback with us in this short, nine-question survey or reply to this email. Thank you!
Survey Link

Call to Action


Raise Your Voice to Protect Healthcare for Trans Youth


Deadline: February 17


Last month, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced proposed rules aimed at curtailing trans youth access to medically necessary care.


One proposed rule would condition Medicare and Medicaid funding on hospitals refusing to provide gender-affirming care to trans and nonbinary youth under 18. Another would prohibit Medicaid and CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program) from covering this care for youth under 18 and 19, respectively. These proposals are not bans on medically necessary care and are not currently in effect.


We can leverage our collective power and fight against these proposed policies by submitting comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Check out our guide to submitting public comments for more information.


Comments must be submitted by Tuesday, February 17.
Raise Your Voice

SF Support Group Meeting


Listening with Love: A Parent Conversation with Trans & Nonbinary Young Adults


Thursday, January 22, 6 PM Online


PFLAG San Francisco is hosting an interactive dialogue with a panel of transgender and nonbinary young adults, created especially for parents who may have questions they aren’t able—or don’t yet feel comfortable—asking their own children. Panelists will share their journeys and respond to questions in a supportive, respectful space.


The panel discussion is part of PFLAG San Francisco’s regular series of member support groups. Use the link below to register, and note that this event starts at 6 PM, instead of the usual 7 PM start time for their member support groups.
Register Here

Webinar on 'State of Firsts'


Join Parents of Sarah McBride for a Discussion About her Historic Run for Congress


Wednesday, January 28, 5 PM PST


"State of Firsts" is an upcoming documentary about the historic campaign of Sarah McBride. Providing an intimate view of her election as the first trans member of Congress, the documentary follows McBride as she navigates the ensuing backlash and offers a glimpse of the future of her fight for change amidst intensifying political extremism.


Families United for Trans Rights will host a webinar on January 28 with Director Chase Joynt and producer Jenna M. Kelley to hear their insights about these historic developments. Special guests are Sarah's parents, David & Sally McBride, who will share their own unique perspectives as Sarah’s parents.


The filmmakers provided this private link and urge you to watch the film before the event: State of Firsts (password: SOF2025!)


Please join Families United for Trans Rights for this timely and powerful conversation. Register for this webinar with the button below. Space is limited - so don't delay!

Register Here
A progress pride flag against a blue sky

In the News: Positive Developments


Sutter Health, the largest hospital system in Northern California, reverses decision to cease providing gender-affirming care to transgender patients under 19 after protests from local families and advocacy groups. Organizations led by Rainbow Families Action and including local PFLAG chapters had protested the earlier decision to cease providing care.


Nineteen states and DC sue Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) over attempt to block access to medically necessary care for trans and nonbinary youth. HHS issued a declaration on December 18 calling gender-affirming care unsafe and ineffective for transgender children and adolescents, warning providers that they could be excluded from participating in Medicare and Medicaid if they provide such care. In response, 19 states and DC filed a lawsuit in federal court on December 23rd, arguing that the HHS declaration is inaccurate and unlawful and that its enforcement should be blocked. On January 7th, the Trump administration agreed not to issue notices of exclusion from Medicare or Medicaid to providers of gender-affirming care the lawsuit proceeds.


California - Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals stays lower court ruling allowing teachers to forcibly out trans students. On December 22nd, U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez issued an injunction which prevented the State of California from enforcing its law against forced outing policies at schools. On January 7th, a panel of judges from the Ninth Circuit Court blocked Judge Benitez’s ruling, holding that Judge Benitez’s injunction was unnecessarily vague and overbroad, among other issues. 


Utah - ACLU, students, and authors sue Utah in federal court over book bans. The lawsuit challenges Utah’s “sensitive materials law,” which was amended in 2024 to create a statewide book ban if three or more school districts report a book for being “pornographic or indecent.” 22 books have been banned from school libraries due to the law, including “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West,” “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” and “Water for Elephants.” 


Virginia - Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger to include LGBTQ+ organizations in inaugural parade. Spanberger will be inaugurated as Virginia’s 75th governor, as well as the Commonwealth’s first woman governor, on January 17th. LGBTQ-serving groups Virginia Pride and Diversity Richmond will be among the organizations participating in the inaugural parade. 

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