EQCA - Equality California

06/08/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/08/2024 17:40

Equality California and Silver State Equality on Selection of Tim Walz as Kamala Harris’ Vice-Presidential Running Mate

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 6, 2024

CONTACT: Jorge Reyes Salinas, Equality California
PHONE: (213) 355-3057/MOBILE: (213) 355-3057/EMAIL:[email protected]

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Equality California, the nation's largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, and Silver State Equality, Nevada's statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights advocacy nonprofit, offered the following statement from Equality California Executive Director Tony Hoang and Silver State Equality State Director André Wade on Tuesday after the announcement by the Kamala Harris Presidential campaign that current Minnesota Governor Tim Walz would be her Vice Presidential running mate:

"We are thrilled that Kamala Harris has chosen a staunch LGBTQ+ ally to be her running mate in what is certainly the most consequential election of our lifetimes. Vice President Harris' own record on LGBTQ+ issues - including being one of the first statewide elected officials to perform same-sex marriages - is exemplary, and the selection of Tim Walz to be her Vice President sends a message that her administration would continue the gains we have made under President Biden's leadership, and undoubtedly be one of the most pro-LGBTQ+ administrations in history.

Governor Walz has made his state of Minnesota a refuge for LGBTQ+ Americans - signing bills that protect access to gender-affirming care, ban "conversion therapy," and prevent school districts from banning or censoring books simply because they have LGBTQ+ themes or content. As a United States Congressman, after flipping a majority conservative district from red to blue, he supported the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' in addition to helping spearhead the passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. He has also been a longtime advocate of bodily autonomy and abortion rights. In an early display of allyship, as a high school teacher and football coach in the 1990's, he coached his football team to a state title while serving as the faculty advisor for the school's first Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) club.

At a time of unprecedented anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and hate violence directed at our community, it is more important than ever before to have strong champions for LGBTQ+ equality in the White House. Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are those champions. Equality California and Silver State Equality are committed to getting out the vote for the Harris/Walz ticket this fall and ensuring that pro-equality champions are elected up and down the ballot to continue building a world that is healthy, just, and fully equal for all people. We look forward to making history in November."

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Equality California is the nation's largest statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization. We bring the voices of LGBTQ people and allies to institutions of power in California and across the United States, striving to create a world that is healthy, just, and fully equal for all LGBTQ people. We advance civil rights and social justice by inspiring, advocating and mobilizing through an inclusive movement that works tirelessly on behalf of those we serve. www.eqca.org