APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY
___________________________
CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
OAKLAND CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION NO. ______________ C.M.S.
INTRODUCED BY COUNCILMEMBER BROWN, COUNCIL PRESIDENT JENKINS,
COUNCILMEMBER WANG, AND COUNCILMEMBER RAMACHANDRAN
RESOLUTION IN CELEBRATION OF LGBTQ+ PRIDE IN OAKLAND
AND THE FIFTEENTH ANNIVERSARY OF OAKLAND’S PRIDE
PARADE AND FESTIVAL; AND HONORING LGBTQ+ LEADERS WHO
HAVE BUILT A LEGACY OF SERVICE, EXCELLENCE, AND
RESILIENCE IN OUR CITY
WHEREAS, the City of Oakland proudly honors the leadership, vision, and unwavering dedication of LGBTQ+ community leaders whose advocacy, service, and activism have strengthened our city while advancing equality, inclusion, and visibility for all; and WHEREAS, Oakland Pride, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary, stands as a powerful embodiment of LGBTQ+ leadership by fostering community, championing social justice, and creating spaces that uplift culture, identity, and belonging, including the establi shment of Oakland’s first LGBTQ+ community center to provide advocacy, essential services, and connection; and
WHEREAS, the courage, creativity, and commitment of Oakland’s LGBTQ+ leaders continue to inspire new generations, enrich civic life, and reflect the resilience, activism, and unity that make our city vibrant, inclusive, and equitable; and WHEREAS, in this milestone year, the City of Oakland is proud to recognize and celebrate the following outstanding LGBTQ+ leaders whose vision, passion, and ded ication have left a profound and lasting impact on our community; and
WHEREAS, the At -Large Office is proud to honor former Oakland Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan, who, elected in 2008 as the youngest and first openly lesbian member of the Oakland City Council, shattered barriers and redefined public leadership with vision, courage, and unwavering integrity, inspiring countless residents to believe in a more inclusive and equitable
2 future. Throughout her 17 years of distinguished service, she championed equi ty, economic opportunity, and safe, accessible transportation. Councilmember Kaplan created groundbreaking programs such as the Mobile Assistance Community Responders of Oakland (MACRO), a national model for compassionate, non-police emergency response that balances public safety with dignity and care for all community members. She advanced the rights, visibility, and well -being of LGBTQ+ Oaklanders by establishing the Lakeshore LGBTQ Cultural District, expanding programs for youth empowerment, securing Cit y funding for critical initiatives, and embedding gender-inclusive policies across all facets of City governance. Through her extraordinary leadership during crises, including the COVID -19 pandemic, and her tireless advocacy for environmental justice, clean energy, and healthier communities, she has left an indelible mark on Oakland. Councilmember Kaplan has transformed lives, strengthened civic trust, and inspired generations of leaders to follow her example of courage, compassion, and visionary public service; and
WHEREAS, District 1 recognizes Anne Marks for her incredible contributions to our community and towards violence prevention over the last two decades. Anne has been a trailblazer in violence prevention as the Executive Director of Youth Alive!. Youth Alive! has been nationally recognized as a model for violence prevention, and has worked with thousands of Oaklanders to help transform the lives of our children. She has also previously worked for the City as a Violence Prevention Planner and was appointed by District 1 to the Reimagining Public Safety Task Force.
Anne has also advocated tirelessly for the LGBTQ+ community by campaigning against Proposition 8 and by advocating for equality at the state level. On top of her work, Anne also serves as host of Fluid 510’s Daythinking Trivia. Councilmember Unger encourages you to all join her there every Sunday at noon. She won’t go easy on you!; and WHEREAS, District 2 honors Susan Liroff, a lifelong advocate, artist, and community leader whose work has strengthened Oakland’s commitment to health, justice, and resilience. A breast cancer survivor, Susan brought both lived experience and vision to her role as director of the Women’s Cancer Resource Center, where she led the organization for five years duri ng its formative period. Under her leadership, the center expanded its reach and impact, providing crucial support for women facing cancer while amplifying the call for systemic change in women’s health care. Her creative activism —through graphics, art, an d slogans such as “Stop Cancer Where It Starts”—linked environmental justice, public health, and gender equity in ways that continue to resonate. Susan’s artistic contributions have been featured in Oakland Open Studio and local galleries, often benefiting causes such as the Friends of the Oakland Animal Shelter. Her decades of training and teaching at Laurel Jujitsu exemplify her belief in empowering women and girls through strength and self -defense, while her ongoing QiGong practice builds intergeneration al community at Wilma Chan Park. Today, as a member of Bay Resistance, she continues her dedication to social justice, standing with Oaklanders to defend dignity and human rights. Susan embodies the spirit of resilience, creativity, and activism that defines Oakland; and WHEREAS, the District 3 Office is proud to recognize Kit Lunt (he/they), a senior in the Theater subpathway at Oakland School for the Arts (OSA). Kit took over running Queer Student Union at the end of 8th grade, and has been Co -President of the group for 4 years. The Queer Student Union holds meetings, hosts events, and offers invaluable support to students; it is a 3 judgement free place where young people feel safe and protected. With initiatives such as a school wide letter writing campai gn to local government, and improving school culture around Trans students’ safety in the bathrooms, Kit has worked to create a stronger and safer community of queer and trans youth at OSA and beyond. It is important to uplift Kit for their commitment toward a more just and equitable community and to recognize Oakland School for the Arts for fostering an environment that allows young people to pursue creative endeavors with a social justice lens; and
WHEREAS, District 4 is proud to honor Tammy E. Clarke , known professionally as TammyTeaLove, a talented comedian born in Brooklyn, raised in Los Angeles, and now based in Oakland, who proudly proclaims that she “Got her Game from the Bay.” Since launching her career in 2007 with an impromptu performance in Sacr amento, she has opened for Oscar winner Mo’Nique at the San Jose Improv, performed on premier stages such Cobbs Comedy Club, The Comedy Store, Comedy Château, Sketchfest SF, and the Black Women in Comedy Festival and earned numerous accolades, including th ree-time Comedy Oakland Champion, and 2023 Hope Flood Comics Rock Showcase Winner. Featured on platforms like KQED and KTVU, and having shared the stage with legends like Mo’Nique and Joe Torry, Tammy captivates audiences with her authentic, relatable storytelling. The Oakland City Council commends TammyTeaLove for using her voice and platform to bring healing, laughter, and inspiration to all, and celebrates her achievements as a source of pride for Oakland and the region; and WHEREAS, District 5 wishes to honor and congratulate, in celebration of LGBTQ+ Pride in Oakland, Christopher Nery Martínez, an immigrant from Guatemala who has dedicated his life to advancing equity, opportunity, and community empowerment across the East Bay. Chris has dedicated ove r two decades to advancing immigrant rights, social justice, and community empowerment; bringing his expertise as former Chief Program Officer and Director of Legal Services at Catholic Charities of the East Bay and Senior Program Director at Catholic Char ities CYO to his current role as Executive Director of the Spanish Speaking Citizens Foundation (SSCF), where since 2021 he has carried forward the organization’s historic mission of empowering low-income Latino families; and through his leadership, Martín ez has strengthened programs that provide safe spaces for youth and families, confront the traumas caused by a broken immigration system, preserve Latino culture, and nurture the next generation of leaders, always ensuring that lived experiences, resilience, and belonging remain at the center of his work and we thank him for his continued commitment; and
WHEREAS, the Office of District 6 is proud to honor Mr. Braunz E. Courtney, who has worked in public health as a Harm Reductionist for nearly 20 years. He currently serves as the Executive Director of the HIV Education and Prevention Project of Alameda County (HEPPAC), one of the largest Black-owned and Black-led Harm Reduction agencies in the nation. Under his leadership, HEPPAC has expanded across the San Francisco East Bay region, serving Alameda, Contra Costa, and Solano Counties. Mr. Courtney’s expertise includes working with People Who Use Drugs (PWUDs), unhoused and homeless populations, LGBTQIA communities, youth, and individuals recently released from incarceration. His efforts focus on creating, implementing, and promoting culturally responsive programs delivered in non -clinical settings throughout Northern California’s East Bay, with a strong emphasis on serving Black, Indigenous, and People of Col or 4 (BIPOC), particularly the Black community. In addition to his nonprofit leadership, Mr. Courtney is the founder and owner of Oakland BARS Consulting, specializing in environmental health and lifestyle design. He also works as a realtor with Square Feet Realty, a boutique brokerage committed to increasing Black homeownership and community development; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED: That the City of Oakland recognizes the 15th anniversary of Oakland Pride and honors these LGBTQ+ leaders for their dynami sm, resilience, and steadfast commitment to serving and uplifting our communities.
IN COUNCIL, OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA,
PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES - BROWN, FIFE, GALLO, HOUSTON, RAMACHANDRAN, UNGER, WANG, AND
PRESIDENT JENKINS
NOES –
ABSENT –
ABSTENTION –
ATTEST:
ASHA REED
City Clerk and Clerk of the Council of the
City of Oakland, California
3441189v2 / BS