California Senate adopts resolution recognizing June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month

The California State Senate on the floor adopted Senate Resolution 116, designating June 2026 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month and honoring community leaders and ballroom culture for their contributions. The measure was introduced by Sen. María Elena Cervantes and passed on a recorded roll call with 28 ayes and no recorded no votes.

SR 116’s sponsor, Sen. Cervantes, framed the resolution as a recognition of the Stonewall uprising’s legacy and the ongoing need to protect gains in equality and civil rights. “I strongly urge an I vote on SR 116,” Cervantes said as she closed her presentation and invited colleagues to honor this month with a number of Pride honorees.

Several senators took the floor in support, emphasizing both celebration and concern. Sen. Scott Wiener described recent federal actions and court decisions as posing active threats to transgender people and to the scientific basis for health care, saying those actions have “dehumaniz[ed] trans people” and that protections for LGBTQ youth remain urgent. Sen. Weber Pearson, speaking as chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus, and Sen. Becker, vice chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus, both stressed the intertwined histories of racial justice and LGBTQ movements and urged an aye vote.

Members noted the cultural history referenced in the resolution, including ballroom’s role for Black and Latino LGBTQ communities and named historical figures cited on the floor. After debate concluded and the secretary called the roll, the presiding officer announced that SR 116 passed (Ayes 28, No 0). The resolution also preceded introductions of this year’s pride honorees and invitations to related caucus events and a reception.

The Senate record shows the resolution was debated as part of the third-reading calendar. No formal amendments to SR 116 were reported on the floor; a motion to reconsider was raised and carried before the Senate re‑voted and adopted the measure. The Senate’s action is ceremonial and commemorative; it does not create statutory obligations or change existing law.

Senate action on SR 116 was followed by a series of ceremonial introductions of honorees from across the state, including educators, artists, nonprofit leaders, veterans and civic volunteers who were recognized at the rear of the chambers.

The Senate adjourned floor business after memorials and announcements; the next floor session was scheduled for June 25, 2026.