Trans Latina Coalition urges Los Angeles to refer equity and TGI wellness initiative to budget committee

The Trans Latina Coalition told the Los Angeles City Committee on Civil Rights, Equity, Immigration, Aging and Disabilities that its programs have expanded rapidly and that City investment is needed to sustain culturally specific services.

María Román, identified as vice president and head of workforce/employer relations for the Trans Latina Coalition, said the organization provided 33,753 services in 2025 and described a portfolio that includes daily food distribution, workforce development, case management, legal services and emergency transitional housing. "When we talk about supporting our community, the question is not just words or visibility," Román said, "it is bringing long-term resources and commitments so trans people can not only survive but thrive." (Quote in Spanish as delivered.)

Presenters emphasized direct funding to trans-led nonprofits, recommending that the city prioritize organizations with at least 60% trans representation in leadership and staffing for grant awards and capacity-building contracts. The coalition asked the committee to instruct the city’s trans advisory body to draft a motion for referral to the budget committee that would move the initiative toward a full Council vote.

Council members pressed presenters on homelessness impacts and program costs. A council member cited projected cuts of 10–15% to homelessness services and used an example figure of $21,000,000 in reductions in a single district. Coalition representatives said cuts to prevention and promotor(a) models disproportionately affect trans people, particularly Black and Latina trans women, and argued that funding should cover both shelter and wraparound services (workforce, case management and culturally competent training).

The presentation also referenced collaborations with research and policy organizations (including the Williams Institute) and county-level TGI wellness initiatives. Presenters described a two-year county investment of approximately $7.3 million in a related initiative and a separate initial investment figure of $15,000,000 in the county program (figures cited during the presentation as given).

The report was informational; no committee vote on the Trans Latina Coalition item was required. The committee thanked presenters and agreed to continue follow-up conversations and data-sharing with staff and presenters.

Next steps: presenters asked for a formal referral to the budget process; council offices signaled willingness to connect staff to provide cost and performance data for future budget conversations.