The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has taken steps to explore the creation of an Office of Gender Equity. The board approved a motion led by Supervisor Lindsey Horvath to direct county agencies toward this initiative. The motion aims to address gender-based discrimination and promote equity across county government operations.

Supervisor Lindsey Horvath emphasized the need for a centralized entity. “For too long, our gender equity work has been siloed without a central entity responsible for coordinating and advancing this work,” Horvath stated. A report on the feasibility of the office is expected in 60 days.

The county’s Chief Executive Office and Department of Public Health, along with County Counsel, are tasked with preparing this report. It will consider potential locations for the office within the government, support from existing programs, and a timeline for establishment.

The Board of Supervisors voted 4-0 on the motion, with Supervisor Kathryn Barger absent. Supervisor Holly Mitchell proposed an amendment to ensure the office’s work would not replicate existing efforts. Mitchell expressed the importance of understanding current gaps to determine if the office is necessary and how it would be funded.

This motion follows the conclusion of the county’s Women and Girls Initiative in 2024, a program that addressed systemic gender issues since its approval in 2016. Horvath advocates for a permanent county entity, stating the need is pressing “especially at a time when women and gender-nonconforming people are facing attacks on their rights, health care, and safety.” The goal is to integrate gender equity into ongoing governmental operations rather than short-term projects.