Statewide — As Pride Month comes to a close, California Attorney General Rob Bonta released the Department of Justice’s third annual State of Pride Report, reaffirming his office’s commitment to defending LGBTQ+ rights amid a national surge in anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, legislation and violence.
“As a proud ally and advocate, I stand in solidarity with our LGBTQ+ community this Pride Month and every month,” Bonta said in a press release on June 30. “Amidst a rise in attacks on LGBTQ+ rights, it is more important than ever that we recommit ourselves to the ongoing fight for equality, safety, and inclusion.”
Bonta stressed that this report demonstrates that there is still much work to be done in the struggle for equality.
“Today’s report highlights our commitment to defending, expanding, and advancing LGBTQ+ rights,” he stated. “It also underscores the work that remains to be done to ensure LGBTQ+ individuals have access to all the rights and resources they deserve. As the People’s Attorney, I remain steadfast in my commitment to using every tool at my disposal to safeguard the rights, freedoms and well-being of our LGBTQ+ community.”
The State of Pride Report offers a snapshot of the California DOJ’s legal and policy work to protect LGBTQ+ residents, including the enforcement of civil rights laws, expansion of access to gender-affirming healthcare and ongoing efforts to address hate crimes.
In the 2024 calendar year, California reported 172 hate crime events motivated by anti-LGBTQ+ bias, a 13.9% increase from 2023. Of those, 73 targeted transgender individuals, a 12.3% increase.
Anti-gay bias was the most common motivation with 251 incidents, while anti-lesbian hate crimes rose from 17 to 23 in just one year.
The report emphasizes the DOJ’s Hate Crime Rapid Response Protocol, which aims to support local law enforcement in addressing hate-motivated violence swiftly and effectively.
It also highlights the department’s ongoing support for LGBTQ+ students and transgender athletes, as well as legal efforts to protect access to lifesaving healthcare for gender-diverse individuals.
California is home to more than 2.8 million people who identify as LGBTQ+, the largest such population in the nation.
The report also points to national trends that mirror California’s concerns.
According to the FBI’s most recent crime report, hate crimes based on gender identity rose nearly 16% nationwide, while hate crimes based on sexual orientation saw a 23% spike.
In recent months, Bonta’s office has taken public stances against a growing number of school board policies that critics argue target LGBTQ+ youth, including forced outing of transgender students and book bans aimed at LGBTQ+ content.
Advocates say the report reflects California’s broader leadership in pushing back against what they view as a coordinated national rollback of civil rights.
The full State of Pride Report is available on the California DOJ website. For more information on how to report and respond to hate crimes, Californians can visit oag.ca.gov/hatecrimes.
