Samuel Garrett-Pate

The California Assembly passed AB 2153 — legislation to provide the state’s teachers and school staff with the tools and training they need to support their LGBTQ students — Wednesday evening with strong bipartisan support, following a similarly bipartisan 33-3 vote in the Senate on Monday. The bill is authored by Assemblymember Tony Thurmond (D-Richmond) and sponsored by Equality California, the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization, and now heads to Governor Jerry Brown for his signature. “Our public school teachers and staff are on the front lines of ensuring that all California children — regardless of background, zip code, sexual […]

The California Senate passed Assemblymember Evan Low’s (D-Silicon Valley) bill to protect LGBTQ Californians from so-called “conversion therapy” in a vote of 25-11. The legislation is cosponsored by Equality California, the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization, and the Trevor Project and would make clear that claiming to be able to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity — or attempting to do so — in exchange for payment is a fraudulent business practice. “For far too long, LGBTQ Californians have been psychologically abused by sham therapists who are supposed to be caring for their emotional well-being,” said Equality California […]

Equality California, the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization, released the following statement from Executive Director Rick Zbur Tuesday night after Senator Ricardo Lara advanced to the November general election in his historic race for California Insurance Commissioner: “California voters made history today, as Senator Ricardo Lara is one step closer to becoming the state’s first openly LGBTQ statewide elected official. Ricardo has been a fierce, loyal and dedicated leader for California’s LGBTQ and immigrant communities, working to tear down barriers and ensure equality for all. As California’s next Insurance Commissioner, he’ll be a champion in the fight for […]

Equality California, the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization, announced the endorsements of 10 openly LGBTQ candidates running for local office in 2018. The candidates are among a surge of out LGBTQ Californians seeking public office across the state — and a record number of LGBTQ candidates running throughout the country this year. Equality California has endorsed the following candidates in their respective races: San Francisco Board of Supervisors: District 8 Equality California has dual-endorsed Supervisor Jeff Sheehy and City College Trustee Rafael Mandelman for the Eighth District of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Jeff Sheehy, who was appointed by the late […]

The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) and GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) filed their opposition last night to a Trump-Pence Administration request to dissolve the nationwide preliminary injunction that U.S. District Court Judge Jesus G. Bernal issued December 22, 2017, in Equality California’s lawsuit, Stockman v. Trump. There are currently four separate preliminary injunctions issued by four separate federal courts, blocking Trump’s ban from moving forward while the cases are being heard by the courts. On March 23, the Trump administration filed a motion to dissolve the injunction, claiming to issue a “new policy” on transgender military service. However, as NCLR […]

Equality California, the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization, has endorsed Vivian Romero’s campaign for Senate District 32. Romero currently serves as Montebello’s first openly LGBTQ city councilmember and previously served as the city’s first openly LGBTQ mayor. “Equality California is proud to endorse Vivian Romero because she knows first-hand that diversity and inclusion are what make California great,” said Equality California Executive Director Rick Zbur. “We’re confident that when she gets to Sacramento, Councilwoman Romero will fight for equal pay, stand up against attacks on immigrant communities and provide critical representation for our LGBTQ community as a member […]

Equality California, the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization, has endorsed TJ Cox in California’s 21st Congressional District. The son of immigrants, Cox is a community development leader, health care advocate and entrepreneur running to represent the Central Valley district, which is one of the most competitive in the country after Hillary Clinton carried it in 2016 by 15.5 percentage points. “California’s 21st district deserves a Congressman who will fight for everyone in the Central Valley — no matter where they came from, who they are or whom they love,” said Equality California Executive Director Rick Zbur. “TJ Cox […]

Equality California, the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization, sent a letter to members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Monday urging them to oppose the nomination of Director Mike Pompeo to serve as U.S. Secretary of State. Throughout his career, Pompeo has been a staunch opponent of LGBTQ equality and refused to disavow those positions during his Senate confirmation hearing last week when prompted by Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and others. “Since his nomination, we have been deeply concerned about Director Pompeo’s troubling anti-LGBTQ record, including his co-sponsorship of multiple bills during his service in the U.S. […]

Today, Equality California announced the endorsement of three strong pro-equality candidates for the California State Assembly. “As we continue to forge a California and world that is healthy, just and fully equal for all LGBTQ people, it is critical that we elect strong allies with a proven track record of supporting LGBTQ equality, women’s rights, and social justice,” said Rick Zbur, Executive Director of Equality California. “We are pleased to announce the endorsement of three candidates for State Assembly who will lead the way in advancing these goals in their capacity as elected officials.” The candidates endorsed by Equality California […]