California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus Congratulates New Women’s Caucus Vice Chair, Announces Updated Leadership for the 2025-2026 Legislative Sessions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus Congratulates New Women’s Caucus Vice Chair, Announces Updated Leadership for the 2025-2026 Legislative Sessions

SACRAMENTO, CA — With the historic election of Senator Monique Limón as the next Senate President Pro Tempore, the California Legislative Women’s Caucus elected the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus’s current Vice Chair, Senator Caroline Menjivar, to assume their vacant role as Women’s Caucus Vice Chair for the 2025-26 legislative session. As such, the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus unanimously elected Senator Sabrina Cervantes (D- Riverside) as Vice Chair, effective September 15, 2025.

“Today is a bittersweet day for me. It has been an honor to serve as the Vice Chair of the LGBTQ Caucus this past year. Even in my short time, we have been able to deliver for this community, in what are some of the hardest times for our community. However, even though I am stepping down from this role, my resolve and commitment to this community remains stronger than ever. As a proud lesbian woman, I get to embrace my intersectional identity in my new role as Vice Chair of the Women’s Caucus. The ability to double down on my work to uplift and support all women, including queer women, is what inspired me to accept the unanimous nomination from my colleagues in the women’s caucus,” said Senator Caroline Menjivar, outgoing Vice Chair of the Legislative LGBTQ Caucus and newly elected Vice Chair of the Legislative Women’s Caucus. “I am also deeply relieved to see my position in the LGBTQ Caucus filled by my friend and fellow lesbian, Senator Sabrina Cervantes. I have no doubt that she is ready from day one to work hand in hand with Chair Assemblymember Chris Ward to continue the critical and meaningful work of this Caucus.”

“I, along with all of our LGBTQ Caucus Members, would like to express the utmost gratitude to Senator Caroline Menjivar for serving as our 2025 Vice Chair of the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus. We are grateful to see one of our Members’ leadership being rightfully recognized by a fellow Diversity Caucus, and wish Senator Menjivar the best of luck as she assumes the role of the Women’s Caucus Vice Chair,” said Assemblymember Chris Ward, 2025-26 Chair of the Legislative LGBTQ Caucus. “We would also like to wish huge congratulations to Senator Sabrina Cervantes as she assumes the role of our next LGBTQ Caucus Vice Chair. I look forward to working alongside such a respected leader as her as we carry out our shared vision of advancing equity in various areas impacting our community, such as housing and homelessness, education, and civil rights and community protections.”

Senator Sabrina Cervantes was first elected in 2016 to serve the 58^th Assembly District encompassing Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, and western portions of Riverside. She was elected in 2024 to serve the 31^st Senate District representing the same cities in addition to Menifee, Moreno Valley, Perris, and other portions of Riverside County. She currently serves as the Chair of the Senate Elections Committee and focuses her legislative efforts on improve access to maternal mental health services, reduce barriers to student financial aid, protect survivors of sexual assault, support an inclusive economy, and improve the quality of life for Inland Empire residents. Through her advocacy, she has secured over $650 million in investments from the State Budget for programs and initiatives that strengthen the economy, wildfire resilience, and voting protections, while increasing access to open spaces and vital resources for working families, children, veterans, and students in the region. Senator Cervantes is a mother of triplets, lifelong resident of Riverside County, and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from the University of California, Riverside. She completed an executive education program at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

“I am honored to have been unanimously elected by my colleagues to serve as Vice Chair of the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus. I thank Senator Menjivar for her leadership and look forward to working with my colleagues to build on the Caucus’ progress,” said Senator Sabrina Cervantes, Vice Chair-Elect of the Legislative LGBTQ Caucus. “As a proud lesbian Latina and mother of three, I know the challenges that LGBTQ+ families face every day. I will lift up the voices of our communities as we confront the alarming rise in anti-LGBTQ+ hate. Together with Chair Ward and our Caucus Members, I remain committed to advancing dignity, equity, and opportunity for all LGBTQ+ Californians.”

The California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus once again congratulates Senator Menjivar for her new role as the Women’s Caucus Vice Chair and thanks her for her year of service as the LGBTQ Caucus Vice Chair. The LGBTQ Caucus also congratulates Senator Cervantes for her election as the new LGBTQ Caucus Vice Chair. 

As the 2025-26 legislative session nears its halfway mark, this LGBTQ Caucus is proud of the investments and key legislative efforts that have been made and protected in the face of unprecedented attacks by the federal government. Looking ahead to the second year of this 2025-26 legislative session, this LGBTQ Caucus is remains committed to our resolve of protecting our most vulnerable community members against hate-based attacks, as well as advancing progress and addressing everyday challenges for Californians.

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About the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus

California’s Legislative LGBTQ Caucus was formed in 2002 to create a forum for California Legislators to discuss issues that affect LGBTQ Californians and to further the goal of equality and justice for all Californians. California became the first state in the United States to officially form a caucus of openly-LBGTQ state legislators and continues to be a leader of progress for all Americans. In 2023, our membership hit a new milestone of 12 members, becoming the largest LGBTQ Caucus in the Nation, and continues to remain strong. Despite tremendous progress and an unprecedented swell of support for the LGBTQ community worldwide, there is still much work to do to protect and uplift the most vulnerable in our community. The LGBTQ Caucus strives to advocate for diversity and inclusion of all people, including differently abled bodies. Our Caucus is working diligently to support LGBTQ leaders that represent our community at the local, state, and federal levels.

For more information on the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus’s 2025 legislative and budget priorities, please visit https://lgbtqcaucus.legislature.ca.gov/legislative-priorities/2025.

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