Category Archives: Activism

First time in the Office

After working remotely for more than four years, I finally had a good excuse to go down and see our gorgeous campus in Duarte, California. I had sometimes waved to the building from the freeway when driving by on my way to vacation in Palm Springs, but earlier this week I had the privilege of speaking about my pro bono tobacco activism at the Pride Health Symposium. I was also recently asked to join the Board of Pride in the City, which is the LGBTQ employee group. My closest fellow co-workers also came from far and wide to support me, which was so heart-warming. I am very lucky to work with such great people and such an important institution fighting the scourges of cancer and diabetes every day!

Kelly took the beginning of my presentation.
Entire presentation, but the slides were askew in this version of the recording.
Selfie video on our gorgeous zen campus!

Kitty Visit

This beautiful kitty in the driveway today let me pick her up. She was so sweet and a little skinny. I had to run to another event, but I hope to see her again. She knows she can trust me now. I also noticed her tests were engorged, so she might have a litter somewhere, and maybe she was just hungry. No clipped ear and no collar, of course.

Vallejo Gay Pride Picnic with the Hayden Dogs and Foster Dogs

I love it when my communities/worlds collide. Mei organized this major dog walk on Mare Island which crossed paths with a major picnic that the Vallejo Gay Network has every year. I brought our two fosters who got a lot of serious attention with their “Adopt Me” vests. It was a little stressful with the four dogs, but we had a wonderful time.

More pictures we took at the picnic:

Pictures others took:

Artichokes and Lemons

We had a wonderful time with fellow Stephanie Miller fan (we’re both Steph-heads), Vallejoan, and progressive activist friend Diane Hume in her gorgeous home and garden. We compared notes on several subjects and check out this beautiful haul I got from her garden! Fresh lemons and artichokes? My favorites!! Diane is another reason why I know I made the right decision when I moved to this city five years ago!

LGBTQ Families Day 2025

The first weekday of June is LGBTQ Families Day! Many of you know I’m a proud father with a daughter, Alexandra, who is now grown. I served on the Board of Family Equality for six years when she was younger. We attended many conferences and Family Pride Weeks, mostly in Provincetown, Massachusetts. That is where this first picture was taken for the “Love Makes a Family” photo-text exhibit that traveled the world. I’m so proud of that in particular.

Vallejo City Pride Month 2025 Proclamation

Shea (and others, including a bit of my profile) made it to the front page of the Vallejo Times-Herald! This was from the City of Vallejo proclamation recognizing June 2025 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month.

Tom Bilbo’s Vallejo Pride Proclamation Acceptance Speech


Mayor Sorce, members of the City Council, City staff, and residents of Vallejo, the proclamation just read reminds us of the importance of the alliances we foster within and beyond the LGBTQ+ community. Your allyship and friendship are essential to our collective wellbeing, especially in challenging times like these. Our community faces significant challenges, with members being targeted by political figures and individuals spreading hate. These moments underscore the fragility of our democracy and the critical need for strong alliances to protect and uplift one another. Simply living an authentic life can make us targets on both national and local levels, but having a hometown like Vallejo where we are valued and seen as an integral part of the community means the world. This year, we are proud to host over 17 events in and around Vallejo that celebrate pride and unity. From the flag raising at City Hall next Monday to Pride Night at the Museum, the Solano County Pride Picnic on Mare Island, and our celebration at the Solano County Fair, we warmly invite everyone to join us and partake in these vibrant moments.
These events are spaces for our community to come together and celebrate, and we treasure the support and presence of allies who stand with us in these spaces we call our own at this time of year. Finally, I am honored to present this new flag, which symbolizes our City’s unwavering commitment to diversity, inclusion, and belonging. Again, thank you.