On Monday, March 2, the Los Angeles LGBT Center, in partnership with Equality California, hosted a nonpartisan gubernatorial candidates forum focused on LGBTQ+ rights. The event marked one of the first major gubernatorial conversations centered on LGBTQ+ voters and the issues shaping California’s future.
“At a time when LGBTQ+ people—especially transgender young people—are facing coordinated attacks across this country, California must continue to lead with courage and clarity,” said Los Angeles LGBT Center CEO Joe Hollendoner. “Tonight is about leadership. It’s about who will protect queer and trans rights, expand opportunity, and govern with integrity.”
Seven candidates appeared on stage—Xavier Becerra, Eric Swalwell, Katie Porter, Tom Steyer, Tony Thurmond, Antonio Villaraigosa, and Betty Yee—to discuss their records on protecting LGBTQ+ rights and share their visions for advancing those rights in the state’s highest office. (All candidates who were consistently polling were invited.)
Moderated by NBC4’s Colleen Williams and Politico’s Dustin Gardiner, the event addressed multiple issues critical to California’s LGBTQ+ community, including public safety, healthcare access, housing, education, and civil rights.
The candidates were also asked to respond to breaking news from the U.S. Supreme Court, which issued a ruling on Monday permitting schools to implement “forced outing” policies requiring teachers to inform parents if students request different names or pronouns in class.
The event was exclusively livestreamed on NBC4 and Telemundo 52 digital platforms. You can watch the full conversation below.
