San Francisco's Pau Crego, the head of the city's Office of Transgender Initiatives (OTI), is stepping down from his post, as announced on December 15. Crego, a mover and shaker in transgender advocacy, climbed the ranks after joining as Director of Policy in 2017 and serving as Acting Executive Director since 2021 before being locked in for the top job by Mayor London Breed last year. The OTI, a brainchild of the city since 2017, plays a big role in pushing for the rights of trans and gender-nonconforming folks by bridging the gap between them and the powers that be.
In his send-off, Mayor Breed doffed her cap to Crego, saying he's been "a fierce advocate for San Franciscans of all backgrounds, especially our transgender residents," in a statement snagged by sf.gov. City Administrator Carmen Chu chimed in, noting Crego's role in ushering in the city's initiatives like the action plan to end trans homelessness by 2027 and economic programs for the trans community.
According to the sf.gov report, Crego shaped groundbreaking policies, along with increasing essential funding for broader LGBTQ+ services in housing, health, the arts, and violence prevention. His efforts also extended to developing specialist training to boost trans and LGBTQ+ inclusion across San Francisco's government departments.
Richard Whipple, Deputy Director of the Office of Civic Engagement & Immigrant Affairs (OCEIA), commended Crego for leading the OTI with "integrity, heart, and compassion," particularly praising their collaborative work to support trans and migrant identities. Their teamwork created economic empowerment programs and resources for trans-Latina immigrants, among other achievements.
Honey Mahogany of The Transgender District also heaped on the praise, acknowledging Crego's knack for empowering San Francisco's trans organizations and navigating the complex social landscape. And on the flip side of the public sector, district 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman highlighted his efforts to advance transgender rights and resources in the city. Shireen McSpadden of the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing promised to carry forward the groundwork laid by Crego.
While Crego is departing, the search for the next leader of the Office of Transgender Initiatives is already in motion, led by the City Administrator's Office. Crego leaves a legacy of close community engagement, innovative strategies for trans rights, and a blueprint for the continuance of these critical works after his exit.
