Irvine Tolerance Coalition eNewsletter July 30
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Irvine Tolerance Coalition Stands Against Discrimination - Is a Former Irvine politician jockeying for a return to power?
7/30/20252 min read
The City of Irvine first formalized its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion on January 26, 2021, when the City Council unanimously adopted a resolution that reaffirmed its DEI values. This laid the groundwork for launching the “We Are Irvine” campaign, aimed at embracing and celebrating the broad cultural, ethnic, age, gender, ability, and religious diversity of the community through multilingual outreach, educational programming, and community partnerships. A key feature is the City’s DE&I Spotlight webpage — an active hub documenting and promoting community events, cultural observances, and recognition efforts tied to inclusion - located here: https://cityofirvine.org/diversity-equity-and-inclusion/dei-spotlight
An advisory Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee was established alongside the campaign to guide policy and serve as a liaison between the community and City leadership. Initially formed as a five-member ad‑hoc group in 2021, it became a standing committee in 2022, expanded to seven members, and now meets monthly (typically the fourth Thursday) to: advise the City Council; gather data and recommend measurable equity goals; review contracting, hiring, and service policies; monitor hate crimes/incidents; and support aims aligned with CEDAW. The next meeting of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee is scheduled for August 28.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Irvine Tolerance Coalition Stands Against Discrimination
We are fortunate to live in an inclusive community like Irvine. We have to be unified in our stance against discrimination, we are being attacked throughout the state. Of note:
• Former Mayor Christina Shea as recently as 2020 fought against flying the Pride flag in Irvine, calling it "very problematic". LA Times: Irvine approves flying the pride flag, Mayor Christina Shea only dissenting vote
• The Temecula Valley Unified School District Board banned the Pride flag and Board President Joseph Komrosky referred to Harvey Milk as a “pedophile,” igniting widespread condemnation, a state reprimand, and a recall campaign was successful to remove him from office in 2024. Them - Time May Be Up for a Far-Right School Board President Who Embroiled a California District in Controversy
• Dixon’s Vice‑Mayor Ted Hickman penned a newspaper column advocating for a “Straight Pride American Month” and disparaging gay men as “fairies” and “tinker bell wings.” The remarks sparked protests and a formal resolution from the city council condemning his comments. Newsweek - California City Vice Mayor Calls For 'Straight Pride American Month,' Compares Gay Men to Fairies
WE MUST be diligent, WE MUST take a stand against discrimination, and WE MUST keep politicians like these from holding office again.
It appears former Mayor Christina Shea is trying to get back into politics. She has recently started a 501(c)(4) and is trying to raise money from Irvine residents. Is this a ploy to try to get her fingers back into the city council? She has also started posting on social media about rumors of supposed "recall elections" that "people" are talking about. We wonder who is starting those rumors.
Remember Crazy Christina Shea was behind the anti-gay group Irvine Values Coalition, giving thousands to the hate group that forced Measure N, the nasty ballot initiative that banned the city from recognizing sexual orientation as a fundamental human right until it was rightfully overturned once we got Shea booted out of office. LA Times - Irvine Group Starts Anti-Homosexual Initiative Drive Irvine Community News and Views - Irvine City Council Repeals Anti-LGBTQ Ordinance Previously Championed by Mayor Shea
It would be a step back to an ugly chapter of hate and divisiveness. Remember when she said “By acknowledging homosexuals as a minority in law, the government is condoning behavior that runs contrary to accepted moral beliefs that have run this country since its inception.” Irvine Watchdog – Christina Shea’s Homophobic Past Called Into Question
No matter what side of the political spectrum you gravitate toward, we should all agree that there’s no place for Shea’s hatred in Irvine. It’s time to move forward, for all residents, and not back into the past.
Is a Former Irvine politician jockeying for a return to power?



