Thomas Leavitt writes: We are proud to announce the launch of BiNet Santa Cruz, a new grassroots community organization specifically aimed at providing a voice on behalf of and organizational vehicle for the bi+ community in Santa Cruz County. BiNet Santa Cruz is to be a local affiliate of the national BiNet USA organization.

We intend to engage in a dialogue with local community institutions about how to most effectively serve the bi+ community, which recent surveys indicate include anywhere from a quarter to 40% of millennials and younger folks. Individuals who fall under the bi+ umbrella face severe disparities in health and other services, a problem which is only compounded by the fact that disproportionately large numbers of transgender and queer people of color self-identify as bi+, according to a Human Rights Campaign brief prepared in conjunction with BiNet USA and other regional bi organizations.

Our founding steering committee consists of longtime out and proud bi+ community organizers Chai Bryce and Thomas Leavitt, who are joined by: Emilio Barajas, founding President of Pajaro Valley Pride and a newly emerging leader in both the bi and larger Santa Cruz County queer community; and Alina Hammer, longtime local community activist, most recently involved with Compassion and Choices and their effort to make the End Of Life Options Act law in California.

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