Assemblymember Alex Lee Celebrates Pride Month
In celebration of Pride Month, Assemblymember Alex Lee honored LGBTQ+ leaders in Assembly District 24 with his co-host Union Sanitary District Board Director Marty Kludjian. Together, they recognized 6 individuals and an organization for their advocacy for the district’s LGBTQ+ communities.
Honorees:
Malaya Arevalo
Malaya Arevalo is the Program Supervisor at TransVision, the Bay Area Community Health’s gender affirming care clinic. The clinic plays an important role in giving support and service to transgender patients across the Bay Area. Malaya has been dedicated to ensuring that everyone has access to high-quality, inclusive, and affordable healthcare regardless of one’s sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. As a trans feminine, person of color of immigrant experience, Malaya is inspired by persistent community efforts of everyday working people to defend and assert their rights to the full experience of human dignity in all aspects of their lives.
Yudy Deng
Yudy Deng is the Chief Development Officer of Society of Heart’s Delight, which promotes the diverse cultures of Silicon Valley. Yudy is a proud LGBTQ+ advocate, community leader, and mother of two. Following a 16-year marriage, she came out and embraced her authentic self, finding strength through her work with the Society of Heart’s Delight. Yudy’s journey of self-discovery has fueled her passion for building meaningful public-private partnerships that enhance inclusion, equity, and cultural connections.
Adrienne Keel
Adrienne Keel is the Director of LGBTQ Programs for the behavioral health agency Caminar. Her work around LGBTQ+ community building began with participating in queer student organizations in high school and college. Since 2018, she has led the LGBTQ+ Youth Space and Adrienne has been awarded two Community Hero Awards in Santa Clara County for her work serving LGBTQ+ communities.
Drew Lloyd
Drew Lloyd is the Board President of Bay Area Municipal Elections Committee (BAYMEC), which has been advocating for the civil liberties of LGBTQ+ community members since 1984. Drew has been a staunch advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, reflecting his commitment to equality and community service. He previously served on the volunteer board of the Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Community Center and sits on other corporate and nonprofit boards.
Todd Isaacson
Todd Isaacson is a teen and adult services librarian for the Alameda County Library. He helps provide access to information, encourages lifelong learning and career development, and creates welcoming and accessible spaces for all members of the community. As a member of the Alameda County Library’s Pride Programming and Accessibility Advocacy Committee, Todd organized the first-ever Fremont Pride Fair at the Fremont Main Library and continues to work to ensure that the library cultivates a supportive environment for LGBTQ+ people and makes sure their voices are valued.
Pastor Jeff Spencer
Jeff Spencer is the Pastor at Niles Discovery Church who has dedicated himself to supporting the LGBTQ+ community. Pastor Spencer has led the congregation to launching a new ministry known as the “Pride Place of Belonging,” a welcoming and safe space for LGBTQ+ community members. Since 2005, he has also been a member of the Golden Gate Men’s Chorus in San Francisco, which is one of the founding choruses of the Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses. Prior to moving to Fremont, he served as a juvenile detention chaplain in California and Washington.
Silicon Valley Gay Softball League
The Silicon Valley Gay Softball League (SVGSL) is the first league of its kind in Santa Clara County to provide athletic, recreational, and social opportunities for the LGBTQ+ community. SVGSL promotes sportsmanship, genuine camaraderie and the development of positive relationships among its 13 teams. The league celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.