Equality California Announces Adam Bass as Associate Director of Individual Giving, Major Gifts Officer

LOS ANGELES - Equality California, the nation's largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, announced today the hiring of Adam Bass to serve as the organization's new Associate Director of Individual Giving, Major Gifts Officer. Bass replaces former Associate Director of Donor Relations Rick-Arlo Yah Lira.Bass has a long history in the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement, cutting his teeth as Equality Utah's first-ever registered lobbyist focused on passing trans-inclusive hate crime legislation, and fighting that state's anti-gay marriage amendment. After re-locating to California, he worked at GLAAD and AIDS/LifeCycle (at the Los Angeles LGBT Center). He has also worked as a Council Deputy for two different members of the Los Angeles City Council, and more recently as the Director of Major Gifts at Chrysalis.

"Adam brings a rare combination of movement experience, public service, and frontline fundraising leadership to this role," said Joe Sangirardi, Director of Development at Equality California. "As we continue to grow and strengthen our individual giving program across California and Nevada, Adam's background and values make him exactly the right leader to help deepen our partnerships and sustain this work for the long term."

Bass is also actively involved in local government, currently serving on the city of West Hollywood's Rent Stabilization Commission after previously serving as a Planning Commissioner. Additionally, he has the unique distinction of being Utah's youngest-ever elected official, being sworn in as a member of the Riverton, Utah City Council at age 19.He earned a Bachelor's Degree from UCLA in 2024 as a non-traditional student. Bass currently lives in Southern California with his partner, JC.

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