Thursday, Equality California announced the endorsement of three strong pro-equality candidates for Congress and California State Senate offices.

“In light of the Trump Administration’s anti-LGBTQ actions, it is imperative that we continue to promote and support strong pro-equality candidates at both the state and the national level,” said Rick Zbur, Executive Director of Equality California. “The candidates we have endorsed today will fight for equality and for the rights of the LGBTQ community.”

The Equality California-endorsed candidates are as follows:

U.S. Congress:

Katie Hill

Equality California endorses Katie Hill for California Congressional District 25, which is located in North Los Angeles County. Hill is a member of the LGBTQ community and has a deep commitment to advance LGBTQ equality and social justice. As Executive Director at People Assisting the Homeless, she worked to address homelessness, and developed a broad understanding of the issues related to LGBTQ youth homelessness. In Congress, she promises to focus on addressing homelessness and fight to increase sentencing for those who commit hate crimes.

“We are endorsing Katie Hill because of her strong support for LGBTQ civil rights and because we believe she will be the strongest candidate to defeat Congressman Steve Knight, who has a failing pro-equality record,” said Rick Zbur, Executive Director of Equality California. “Katie Hill’s values of inclusion and equality are in stark contrast to those of Steve Knight, who voted to add an anti-LGBTQ provision that would have allowed sweeping taxpayer-funded LGBTQ discrimination to the National Defense Authorization Act. Katie Hill will bring Democrats and Republicans together to fight for government programs that benefit everyday Californians.”

Emilio Huerta

Equality California endorses Emilio Huerta for California Congressional District 21 in the San Joaquin Valley. As a civil rights attorney, Huerta has worked with the LGBTQ community as an active board member and officer at the Bakersfield AIDS Project, a Kern County non-profit organization which houses homeless HIV patients and promotes safe sex and AIDS education. He was a vocal and active opponent of Proposition 8 and lead canvasses in his community to win support for marriage equality.

“Emilio Huerta has been strong and active ally in the fight for LGBTQ equality and social justice,” said Rick Zbur, Executive Director of Equality California. “His values of inclusion and acceptance run counter to those of conservative Congressman David Valadao who has voted consistently against LGBTQ protections. Electing Emilio Huerta to Congress is a high priority for Equality California.”

California Senate:

Joy Silver

Equality California endorses Joy Silver for Senate District 28. Silver worked with Equality California on its “Let California Ring” campaign against Proposition 8 in 2008, and has been an active member of the LGBTQ community for years. She developed a consulting practice focused on addressing the needs of LGBTQ seniors and was part of President Obama’s 2015 LGBT Elder Housing Summit. Silver started a foundation in New Mexico that grants funds to aging LGBTQ people facing financial emergencies. She also chaired Equality New Mexico’s healthcare initiatives and served on various boards serving LGBTQ seniors.

“Joy Silver has deep knowledge of the needs of LGBTQ seniors and has dedicated her community service activities to addressing their needs,” said Rick Zbur, Executive Director of Equality California. “Silver’s commitment to the LGBTQ community is unquestionable, and we are confident that she will be a strong new member of California’s Legislative LGBT Caucus, if elected.”