When I first came to San Diego 26 years ago from upstate New York, my eyes opened to a new world – warm weather, an easy-going attitude and a burgeoning gay community. To me this was the land of unlimited possibility. I immediately knew I was home.

That summer, San Diego Gay Pride – as it was called then – celebrated five years of visibility in our city. Like a toddler, we were still finding our footing and learning our way in the world. But we were growing rapidly, as the San Diego community began to embrace diversity.

I’m amazed that this weekend we celebrate 30 years of San Diego Pride – 30 years of working together for a common goal. That common goal is not just enjoying a successful pride weekend, but focusing our energies on pursuing full equality for Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender (LGBT) San Diegans.

The community that embraced me so warmly all those years ago, has, like me, aged a bit and grayed a bit. We’ve worked our way out of entry-level jobs into careers. Thirty years is a generation. The community with which I’ve stood shoulder-to-shoulder at rallies, town meetings and at Pride parades is all grown up and influencing the next generation. We almost take for granted now that we have two more lesbian elected officials, Toni Atkins and Bonnie Dumanis, as well as numerous members of boards and commissions.

I’m honored to have been active in San Diego’s gay community for most of these 30 years. For six years I had the opportunity to serve on the Gay Pride board, including three as board co-chair. Just about five years later, I was elected to the San Diego City Council as the first member of our LGBT community to win public office. Now as a State Assembly member, I’m able to author bills and support policy measures that provide rights and protections for all Californians.

Every year, Pride weekend falls just days before the Legislature reconvenes after its summer recess. The weekend’s events give me an invaluable opportunity to connect with the community that welcomed me all those years ago – a community that refuses to stand for discrimination; a community that will not allow our civil rights to be marginalized, nor except second class status. Pride re-ignites my sense of unity as we work together to preserve and advance equal rights for ourselves and all Californians. Simply put, Pride reminds me of what’s most important, and why I ran for public office in the first place.

This year, I introduced AB 2208 – the Insurance Equality Act for Domestic Partners. It will require that all forms of insurance sold in California provide the same insurance coverage to domestic partners that they provide to spouses.

Last year the governor signed my Assembly Bill 17 – Equal Benefits for Domestic Partners in State Contracts, which prohibits the state from entering into contracts with vendors who do not provide domestic partner benefits.

I’m honored to be a co-author of Assemblymember Mark Leno’s marriage equality legislation, and pleased that Speaker Fabian Núñez is in support of this measure. I will continue to work on legislation to establish economic equality for domestic partners seeking to insure themselves and their family. Discrimination in any form is simply out of line with fair-minded Californians.

I am committed to working with the LGBT Legislative Caucus members on legislation for equality. Along with the other caucus members, Senator Sheila James Kuehl, and assemblymembers Jackie Goldberg, John Laird and Mark Leno, I remain focused on what is just and right. These are four of the hardest working legislators in Sacramento, and it’s an honor and pleasure to serve with them and push a great legislative agenda forward.

This couldn’t be a more exciting or challenging time to be serving in public office. The historic ruling by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court and the bold action taken by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom embracing marriage equality shows me we are on the right track, and that many Americans and Californians are ready for real change! But we must be resolute in our quest for true equality.

The movement San Diegans started 30 years ago is making real and lasting changes in our city and our state. I’m committed to continuing to protect the rights of all Californians. Not only for our generation, but for the next, and the next.