California Attorney General Rob Bonta -- Legal Service Award
San Francisco Spikes Soccer Club – Trailblazer Award
Lavender Phoenix -- Community Service Award
California Attorney General Rob Bonta -- Legal Service Award
Every year, BALIF recognizes individuals and organizations with an outstanding commitment to LGBTQ equity and justice who have significantly advanced those causes through their work in the law. This year, we recognize Attorney General Rob Bonta for his tireless efforts and advocacy on behalf of LGBTQ Californians and LGBTQ people across the nation.
On April 23, 2021, Rob Bonta was sworn in as the 34th Attorney General of the State of California, the first person of Filipino descent and the second Asian-American to occupy the position. Attorney General Bonta's passion for justice and fairness was instilled in him by his parents, who served on the frontlines of some of America's most important social justice movements. It's why he decided to become a lawyer — to help right historic wrongs and fight for people who have been harmed. He worked his way through college and graduated with honors from Yale University and attended Yale Law School. Attorney General Bonta has led statewide fights for racial, economic, and environmental justice and worked to further the rights of immigrant families, renters, and working Californians. He previously worked as a Deputy City Attorney for the City and County of San Francisco, where he represented the City and County and its employees, and fought to protect Californians from exploitation and racial profiling. He went on to pursue elected office in Alameda County, first as an Alameda Council Member and later as an Assemblymember representing Oakland, Alameda, and San Leandro. In the State Assembly, Attorney General Bonta enacted nation-leading reforms to inject more justice and fairness into government and institutions. As the People's Attorney, he sees seeking accountability from those who abuse their power and harm others as one of the most important functions of the job. He is married to Mia Bonta, and they are the proud parents of three children Reina, Iliana, and Andres, as well as their dog Legolas.
San Francisco Spikes Soccer Club – Trailblazer Award
Since 2020, BALIF has honored individuals and organizations who make great strides in LGBTQ with a vision of for the future of the LGBTQ community. The San Francisco Spikes Soccer Club is an all gender LGBTQ+ and allied soccer club. The club’s origins are as a team formed to compete in the first Gay Games. When team members wanted to keep playing soccer together after the games, the Spikes were born! Today the club is home to over 160 dues paying members who represent a multitude of identities across the queer community. The Spikes offer competitive, intermediate, and recreational soccer programming. The club plays futsal indoors during the winter and throughout the rest of the year practices, competes in local leagues, and sends teams to tournaments across North America and the world. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization the Spikes also believe that everyone should have access to an inclusive soccer community, regardless of financial means. The club provides scholarships to anyone in need who wants to play with the club.
Lavender Phoenix -- Community Service Award
Every year, BALIF also honors individuals and organizations who empower and support our LGBTQ community in the Bay Area. This year BALIF honors Lavender Phoenix (formerly known as APIENC). Lavender Phoenix builds transgender, non-binary, and queer Asian and Pacific Islander power to transform our communities. Through its organizing work, the organization trains grassroots leaders, advances community safety, and advocates for healing justice.
