In celebration of Pride Month, state Assemblymember Alex Lee recently honored LGBTQ+ leaders in his Assembly District 24, which includes Milpitas, with his co-host Union Sanitary District Board Director Marty Kludjian. Together, they recognized six individuals and an organization for their advocacy for the district’s LGBTQ+ communities.
Malaya Arevalo is program supervisor at TransVision in Fremont, the Bay Area Community Health’s gender-affirming care clinic. As a trans feminine, person of color of immigrant experience, Arevalo is dedicated to ensuring that everyone has access to high-quality, inclusive and affordable healthcare.
Yudy Deng is chief development officer of Society of Heart’s Delight, which promotes the diverse cultures of Silicon Valley. Following a 16-year marriage, Deng came out, and her personal journey fueled her passion for building meaningful public-private partnerships that enhance inclusion, equity and cultural connections.
Adrienne Keel is director of LGBTQ programs for the behavioral health agency Caminar in San Jose. Since 2018, she has led the LGBTQ+ Youth Space and has been awarded two Community Hero Awards in Santa Clara County for her work.
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. Lloyd served on the volunteer board of the Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Community Center.
Todd Isaacson is a teen and adult services librarian for the Alameda County Library. As a member of the Alameda County Library’s Pride Programming and Accessibility Advocacy Committee, Isaacson organized the first-ever Fremont Pride Fair at the Fremont Main Library.
Jeff Spencer is the pastor at Niles Discovery Church in Fremont, where he helped launch a new ministry known as the “Pride Place of Belonging,” a welcoming and safe space for LGBTQ+ community members.
The San Jose-based Silicon Valley Gay Softball League is the first league of its kind in Santa Clara County to provide athletic, recreational and social opportunities for the LGBTQ+ community. The league celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.
