Representation Matters For the first time, Census recognizes LGBTQ community b y A n n e S to k es
K
atalina Zambrano first started same struggles she identifying as transgender in the endured and has seventh grade. She was harassed helped develop diversity and bullied. Back in the 1990s, there training for local schools were no support programs in her com- and businesses. munity for her or her family. For all While things have gotintents and purposes in that time and ten better for Zambrano, LGBTQ place, LGBTQ rights did not exist. communities still lack support and “I think if I didn’t have the services. support from my family, I wouldn’t “The resources aren’t given to have made it,” she says. “But my Merced Health, the Office of family didn’t know where to Education, Merced County turn because there was mental health … because no PFLAG [Parents, there is no one countFamilies, and Friends ing these people,” of Lesbians and she says. “On top Gays], there was of that, I feel like no trans support a lot of them stay groups. in the closet be“It was cause there are no Katalina Zambrano stressful for me, it resources for them Gender spectrum coordinator with was stressful for my and there’s nobody Central Valley Pride Center family … there were advocating for this no support groups at community.” all for all my young adult This year, however, life.” the Census is recognizing Despite the intense harasssame-sex households for the first time ment from students, faculty and staff in its 230-year history. Counting LGthroughout high school, Zambrano BTQ communities provides compregraduated with her chosen name on hensive documentation that enables her diploma. Unfortunately, the hostil- schools, government agencies and ity and discrimination didn’t end. She more to provide resources community struggled to find employment, experimembers need. enced harassment from law enforce“We matter and we should be ment and faced discrimination from counted. If we don’t show that we are doctors and therapists. here and there are many of us, how Today, Zambrano has become do we expect anything to change?” the change she wished to see in her she says. “We have to stand up, we community. She serves as gender have to let people know that there are spectrum coordinator with Central a lot of us and we need resources … Valley Pride Center. She’s worked it’s a scary time, but it’d be scarier with several LGBTQ advocacy groups for it to pass us by and continuing to counseling youth going through the be this way.” •
Katalina Zambrano became the change she wished to see in her community, serving LGBTQ youth and families. Photo courtesy of Katalina Zambrano
“We matter and we should be counted.”
learn more:
CountOnMe2020.org 844-330-2020 Complete the census now at my2020census.gov