LGBTQIA+ Inclusion
Santa Monica is known worldwide as a welcoming place to live, work, and visit. The City is committed to advancing LGBTQIA+ inclusion with community resources, community partnerships to celebrate LGBTQIA+ Pride, provide trainings and other events to increase awareness of LGBTQIA+ issues, state and federal advocacy of policies and legislation addressing LGBTQIA+ issues, and inclusive benefits for City employees.
LGBTQ+ Liaisons
Santa Monica has designated liaisons who report to and elevate issues facing the LGBTQIA+ community to the City Manager, Police Chief and City Council. Our liaisons are an accessible and welcoming resource for the LGBTQIA+ community and works with community partners to support the advancement of LGBTQIA+ inclusion, offer relevant trainings for staff and the community, and produce our annual Santa Monica Pride celebration and events.
Citywide Liaison
Christopher J. Smith - Chief of Staff
Christopher.J.Smith@santamonica.gov
Police Department Liaison
Erika Aklufi - Police Lieutenant
Celebrate Santa Monica each June
Santa Monica Pier, Downtown Santa Monica, and Santa Monica Place, in collaboration with the City of Santa Monica and Santa Monica Travel and Tourism, present SaMo PRIDE each June: a month focused on family-friendly displays and activities that safely celebrate our city’s inclusive and diverse spirit. Click here to learn more.
Santa Monica Scores 100+ on HRC MEI Index
Santa Monica’s commitment to LGBTQIA+ inclusion is reflected in our Municipal Equality Index scorecard from the Human Rights Campaign.Click here to see how we did.
Support Trans Equity with our Partnership with Church In Ocean Park
We wanted to share an important way you can support our LGBTQIA+ community now and into the future. Trans Equity Scholarships assist those seeking to officially change their name and gender marker with the State, a cost that runs over $600 in total (compared with as little as $15 for those changing their name at marriage). Working with legal aid groups who offer Name and Gender Change Clinics, these scholarships make a real difference for those seeking to take this step. Click here to help support trans equity.