Annalisa Perea made history this year when she became the first out LGBTQ+ member of the Fresno City Council in California. A businesswoman and an urban planner, Perea is passionate about housing, transportation, and public safety, and she plans to make those policy issues her focus when she becomes president of the council in 2024.
āI wake up every day thinking about ways I can help my city be the best version of itself,ā says Perea, who identifies as a lesbian Latina. āAt a time our nation is seeing a record amount of anti-LGTBQ bills and an increase in hate crimes, being an elected representative is that much more important in order to use our voice and influence to counter the negative rhetoric that sometimes plagues our communities.ā
Watch interview with Annalisa Perea on The Advocate Channel
Even though Perea has only served on the Fresno City Council for about a year, she has already made a huge impact on the LGBTQ+ community. For example, this year alone, Perea helped to secure a record number of investments in the cityās budget, including funding for the cityās first LGBTQ+ liaison, $100,000 for the cityās local LGBTQ+ resource center, and $100,000 in grant funding for local LGBTQ+ nonprofits.
The historic nature of serving on the city council is not lost on Perea. āWhile I may be the first out LGBTQ+ member on the Fresno City Council, my mission is to ensure Iām not the last,ā says Perea.
āThe city of Fresno is resolute in its conviction that LGBTQ+ residents must be safe to celebrate their identities without fear of discrimination, oppression, or judgment,ā adds Perea. āThat message needs to resonate through the hallways at City Hall for generations to come.ā @annalisaperea
