2023 - 2024 CCSWG Speaker Series

Pride Month Panel – Save the Date!

The California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls is celebrating Pride Month with the first panel of our ongoing CCSWG Speaker Series focused on Supporting the Health, Safety, and Wellness of LGBTQIA+ Youth & Our Roles as Advocates, Allies, and Policy Makers. 

Panelist Senator Caroline Menjivar, CCSWG Commissioner 

Senator Caroline Menjivar (she/her/ella), elected in November 2022, represents Burbank and the San Fernando Valley in California’s 20th Senate District. Menjivar has volunteered on the Board of Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), Los Angeles Chapter, the Advisory Board of Help Group’s Kaleidoscope, and as the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer for San Fernando Valley Young Dems Club. 

Panelist Alexis Sanchez, Director of Advocacy and Training, Sacramento LGBT Community Center

Alexis’ background is in public health policy with a specialization in substance use disorders in the LGBTQIA+ community. She served on the City of West Hollywood’s Transgender Advisory Board for 4 years and in this role worked to create numerous policy changes and campaigns to create a safer city for transgender people.

Panelist Dana TherActivist Johnson, MSW, Director of Youth Housing & Trainer, Rainbow Community Center

Dana TherActivist Johnson, MSW (They/Them/Theirs) is a gender non-binary masculine of centered community activist that brings experience as an Author, documentary filmmaker, DEI&B practitioner, and Professional Development trainer. Dana also has 18 years’ experience counseling and servicing justice involved youth. Dana serves as a LGBTQ+ Commissioner and PRIDE Initiative co-chair for the County of San Mateo; and a board member of CoastPride Center.