Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara pledges support for transgender troops
News: 2019 Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara issued the following statement pledging support for transgender troops following the Supreme Court’s action on pending lawsuits. Commissioner Lara is the first openly gay person elected to statewide office in California’s history.
“We will never stop fighting to protect the rights of the estimated 4,000 transgender Americans who proudly serve in our armed forces and our many transgender veterans. Diversity in our armed forces strengthens national security, from the inclusion of women, Japanese Americans and African Americans over the past century to the acceptance of LGBTQ service members today. Transgender troops are no different from other Americans in their desire and capacity to serve our Nation, no matter what the Trump Administration says. As California’s Insurance Commissioner, I stand ready to assist any of our service members who would suffer discrimination or discharge as a result of this injustice.”
Led by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, the California Department of Insurance is the consumer protection agency for the nation's largest insurance marketplace and safeguards all of the state’s consumers by fairly regulating the insurance industry. Under the Commissioner’s direction, the Department uses its authority to protect Californians from insurance rates that are excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory, oversee insurer solvency to pay claims, set standards for agents and broker licensing, perform market conduct reviews of insurance companies, resolve consumer complaints, and investigate and prosecute insurance fraud. Consumers are urged to call 1-800-927-4357 with any questions or contact us at www.insurance.ca.gov via webform or online chat. Non-media inquiries should be directed to the Consumer Hotline at 800-927-4357. Teletypewriter (TTY), please dial 800-482-4833.
