Pride month is celebrated worldwide every June. During this month and leading up to San Diego's Pride Parade in July, we will be putting the spotlight on some of our employees who are members of our True Colors Employee Resource Group (ERG). The ERG strives to create an inclusive environment that educates, empowers, and supports LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies.
In the following Q&A, learn about Jordan Melton, a Governmental Affairs Analyst and a valued True Colors ERG member.
What’s your role at SDG&E? Tell us about your career journey so far.
Since 2023, I have been a Governmental Affairs Analyst for SDG&E and SoCalGas’ State Governmental Affairs (SGA) team in Sacramento. In that role – from a broad view – I track and provide legislative updates to internal and external colleagues, and I also monitor the political and charitable budgets for the SGA team. I first joined SDG&E in 2011 as an intern while working on my B.A. in Sociology. From 2014 to 2023, I was an Administrative Assistant, providing support to the SGA team in that position (I also earned my M.A. in Sociology in 2019). Just before I moved into my current position, I had the opportunity to continue working with the SGA team while providing support to SDG&E’s HR department as part of a Temporary Job Change. That experience allowed me to see a different part of the company and helped build my confidence to take on a more challenging role.
Are there any LGBTQIA+ community organizations that you are involved with that you would like to share more about?
Earlier this month, I volunteered as a Roadie on the 2024 AIDS/Lifecycle – my first year doing so! From June 2-8, roughly 1,400 cyclists rode 545 miles from San Francisco to Los Angeles; about 500 Roadies (or volunteers) helped to move things along in different capacities. The ride benefits and is co-produced by the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the Los Angeles LGBT Center and advances those agencies’ shared interest in reducing HIV infections and improving the quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS. I went into the experience not really knowing what to expect and even though I was placed on a team that is supposed to be the hardest (let’s go, Team Pack-Up!), I learned so much from so many amazing people during the week. I plan to participate next year, either as a Roadie again or a Rider for the first time.
What advice would you give someone who is a new ally or member to the LGBTQIA+ community?
To someone who is a new member, I would say life is so much better when you’re out. I’m still fairly new to actually being out (I had my “quiet opening” in 2022), but the increase in confidence I experienced after coming out was baffling. I’m a big advocate for therapy, self-care, and mental wellness in general so I’m pretty in tune with my hang-ups, but I did not fully realize how much time and headspace I was allocating to mask that part of my identity until recently. Now being out, in retrospect, I can see how much masking that part of myself was contributing to my anxiety and other issues. Today, I feel comfortable being myself around those closest to me and as a result, I have much better relationships with my friends, family, and coworkers as I don't feel the need to be on guard 24/7. I’m also more willing to try new things outside my comfort zone, personally and professionally. To a new ally, I would say to just be patient with your loved one as they come out and navigate being out. Your emotional support and a safe space are the best tools you can provide them.
What are some of your hobbies? What are you passionate about?
I spend most of my time with Misty, my 6-year-old dog-child. After the worst of COVID, I wanted to become more active, so I signed up for CrossFit in 2022 and that’s been a blast to see how much I’ve progressed since I started. Earlier this year, I joined mostly-LGBTQIA+ kickball and bowling teams so that’s been great for meeting other members of the community to just have fun. I do plan to start cycling this summer with the goal of riding in the 2025 AIDS/Lifecycle (now anyone reading this can hold me accountable for that). Lastly, I consider myself to be a board game aficionado (I have 100+ in my collection)!