Annalisa Perea

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.

“I wake up every day thinking about ways I can help my city be the best version of itself,” says Perea, who identifies as a lesbian Latina. “At 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.”

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 city’s budget, including funding for the city’s first LGBTQ+ liaison, $100,000 for the city’s 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. “While I may be the first out LGBTQ+ member on the Fresno City Council, my mission is to ensure I’m not the last,” says Perea.

“The 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,” adds Perea. “That message needs to resonate through the hallways at City Hall for generations to come.” @annalisaperea