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BART celebrates Pride: 50 years proud, 50 years BART

50 years proud, 50 years BART

During PRIDE Month each June, we celebrate the history and triumphs of LGBTIA+ people around the world and their manifold contributions to society.

BART has a long history of supporting its LGBTIA+ employees and the community at large. In addition to proudly walking in the San Francisco Pride Parade each year, BART has been a trailblazer in transit, working to secure the rights of LGBTIA+ individuals internally and externally.

“It’s important that we remember that all rights are human rights, and we must ensure that in our work we continue to lift up members of our community who have been marginalized and through that process of marginalization, have been dehumanized,” said Maceo Wiggins, Director of BART’s Office of Civil Rights. “Mobility as a human right is all about making sure we don’t leave anyone behind as we move people.”

Among other efforts, BART was one of the first to have an economic equity program for LGBTIA+ contractors and vendors, Wiggins said. The transit agency also works very closely with BuildOUT, a construction LGBTIA+ industry group. And with the passage of California’s gender recognition act, BART revised its policies to include a third, nonbinary gender for applicants and employees seeking to identify themselves properly.

BART also offered medical coverage for employees’ same-sex partners long before state and federal laws required employers to do so. Additionally, it worked with the BART Board of Directors to pass a policy prohibiting District-funded travel to states with anti-LGBTIA+ laws. And in 2015, BART Police adopted a recommendation from the Citizen Review Board for police interactions with trans people. 

In celebration of PRIDE this year, BART spoke with a handful of LGBTIA+ employees and BART Board members. Hear from them below. 

BART Pride Shirt

Our 2022 pride shirt is now available in our stores, and for the first time ever, virtually on select platforms including outfits on Roblox and Animal Crossing. Check out more details on how to get it. 

And stay tuned for additional PRIDE Month content and videos throughout the month. 

50 years proud, 50 years BARTRebecca Saltzman

President, BART Board of Directors

“It’s fantastic that BART has really been a leader in LGBT rights, and it was so even before we had three out board members. Right now, to have three out of nine board members be out is really fantastic and shows our community that they can lead not just within BART but within the Bay Area.”  

 

50 years proud, 50 years BARTGigi Gamble

Station Agent

“The workplace doesn’t seem as stratified into straight and not straight. It doesn’t feel that risky to be out. I was thinking about that because from one day to the next it doesn’t really come up in my day-to-day work at BART that I’m bisexual.”

 

50 years proud, 50 years BARTJordan and Kristyna Averiett

Community Service Officer and Transit Ambassador

“It’s been refreshing [working at BART]. I haven’t felt the need to hide or be ashamed of who I love! When BART says, ‘Everyone is welcome,’ they mean it.” – Kristyna Averiett

“Here, I don’t feel uncomfortable ever talking about my sexuality or my wife or my kids.” – Jordan Averiett

 

50 years proud, 50 years BARTAlex Walker

Senior Representative, Government and Community Relations

“Being an LGBTIA+ employee here at BART has been such a welcoming experience. [It’s important] having other LGBTIA+ folks in leadership positions and as coworkers...It’s been really a pleasure getting to know people and learn from their experiences.”

 

50 years proud, 50 years BARTJanice Li

Vice President, BART Board of Directors

“We don’t pick and choose who we serve. If you’ve got your Clipper card and if you’ve got your fare and you go through our fare gates and you enter our trains, you are a BART rider and you are welcome at BART. Wherever you come from, whoever you are…you’ve got a spot at BART.”