This community opinion was contributed by Celeste Toledo-Bocanegra, San Benito County Planning Commissioner. The opinions expressed do not necessarily represent BenitoLink or other affiliated contributors. BenitoLink invites all community members to share their ideas and opinions. By registering as a BenitoLink user in the top right corner of our home page and agreeing to follow our Terms of Use, you can write counter opinions or share your insights on current issues. Lea este articulo en español aquí.

Hello my name is Celeste Toledo-Bocanegra , first generation born and raised in Hollister.

Many of my community members know me as “La hija de Yolanda Toledo,” “Yolanda
Toledo’s daughter.” If you were not brought up on the west side of Hollister with my community then you don’t know my Mom, the massage therapist or my Dad, the truck driver who owned his small business, Toledo Trucking.

I was born into a Democrat family and have always understood the importance of voting for Democrats and that a vote for a Democrat would be a vote for the working class citizen, like my parents who at one point had worked the local fields. My parents were always hard workers and instilled in us the importance of being involved in our community to help others less fortunate than us. I remember when my parents needed help with expenses, we would go get help and received food stamps and WIC. I also remember getting my “Vacunas” (vaccine) when it was time at the local health department for free vaccines. In fact, I’m sure San Benito County still has my vaccination records. My parents always followed the rules and laws of the land. They were/are good people. They received help when they needed it and would stop receiving assistance when they no longer needed it.

Recently my name was mentioned in another opinion piece by Catherine Booth-Vaughan. Catherine said some very disturbing things about me but her opinion is her right. What Catherine has stated about me is exactly that, her opinion of me but she knows nothing of me. She does not know my daily struggles or my past experiences.

Quote by Catherine Booth-Vaughan opinion piece: “Recently, Supervisor Gonzales appointed anti-LGBTQ, anti-pro-choice, anti- vaccine, pedophilia conspiracy theorist, Celeste Bocanegra, to the Hollister Planning Commission. I do not make these charges lightly; you can go to her Facebook profile.

“Also, last year, I experienced first-hand anti-gay harassment as Ms. Bocanegra approached our voters’ registration table where I was with my wife. She pulled out of her purse, a 12-inch picture of Jesus and continually demanded that we “repent” for our sins. We eventually had to have security remove her twice.”

Let’s talk about the LGBTQ+ issue. The only thing I have to say is that everyone has a right to live their life the way they want to live it. The conversation that has bothered Catherine, I believe, is when I say, men do not belong in women’s sports. Scientifically, it has been proven that biological men are stronger than women! Period. Men should not be allowed to compete and take advantage of women by keeping women from challenging themselves to be the best in their category. It’s time we take charge and, as a biological woman, I will always stand for women’s rights. Due to this belief system, somehow I’m categorized as completely hostile to the entire LGBTQ+ community. Well, that seems crazy to me! Have we as a society gone so far to one side that if I don’t support one component of a policy position I’m considered not to support the entire group? Absolutely insane, if you ask me.

This leads me to being pro-choice, as a mother and birthing 2 children. I never want a woman to feel that she must give birth a child. That is why I believe encouraging women and men to practice abstinence or wait until they are married. (Just as my parents encouraged their children to wait). I can’t say that will be the case for everyone but it’s definitely worth trying. I was a peer educator as a senior in high school where we educated students about safe sex and abstinence. In today’s society, abortions are considered a normal thing. Today’s society we tell our children that it’s ok to have unsafe sex and get pregnant because there’s always abortion as a backup. Instead, we should encourage people to wait for marriage.

As far as being “anti-vaccine,” that’s simply not true. This assumption came from me refusing to receive the Covid-19 vaccine. Everyone should have a choice to vaccinate or not. No one should be forced by a school or work mandate just to enter a government school or take a government job.

As for pedophiles, yes I believe they all deserve the death penalty!

In July 2022, I did in fact walk up to Catherine Booth-Vaughan where she and her wife (Cheryl Vaughan-Booth) were sitting at a Farmers Market booth signing up citizens to register to vote. I had asked Catherine Booth-Vaughan and her wife why some people were not allowed in her group? (95023 politics) I told them that I understand we had differences and asked whether it wouldn’t be better if we join forces and talk over our differences rather than post nasty things about others. They simply looked at each other and laughed. The funny part was that I have our entire conversation recorded. Not once have I ever told Catherine or Cheryl to repent and would never tell anyone to do so. Repentance is something you do of your own free will, not something you demand from others. Only a true Catholic knows this.

Our local government, for quite some time, has been a one-sided government. All leaning towards Democrats. I am a known Republican who has joined the Republican Central Committee for District 2, 2025. It is time that we balance our local government and bring more Republicans on board. Catherine’s opinion piece is proof of that one-sided government. See for yourself when you see all who are endorsed by the Democrat Party.

I ask all who support me to support Bea Gonzales, a Democrat leader willing to bridge differences, reach across the aisle and who understands the true meaning of what a non-partisan leader truly means.

God bless you all and God bless San Benito County.