Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Buttigieg Endorsed by Major California, Nevada LGBTQ Group
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 5 years ago on
January 30, 2020

Share

Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg has won the backing of Equality California, one of the nation’s largest LGBTQ membership organizations, and its Nevada partner organization, an endorsement that could give him a boost in critical Western primaries.

“When we had the combination of an LGBTQ candidate who had the most comprehensive and boldest policy agenda, and was also viable … it was an easy decision.” — Rick Zbur, Equality California’s executive director
While Buttigieg is the only openly gay candidate in the race, his endorsement by the organizations wasn’t a lock. Every candidate was asked to fill out a questionnaire, and the endorsement committee also considered supporting Elizabeth Warren or Tom Steyer, the only Californian still in the race. But Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, impressed the committee with his detailed policies for protecting LGBTQ youth in schools and ending the HIV epidemic by 2030.
“When we had the combination of an LGBTQ candidate who had the most comprehensive and boldest policy agenda, and was also viable … it was an easy decision,” said Rick Zbur, Equality California’s executive director.
The organization boasts 900,000 members, making it the country’s second largest membership organization for LGBTQ individuals behind the Human Rights Campaign, which does not plan to endorse in the Democratic presidential primary.
The endorsement, announced Thursday, comes less than a week before voting begins in Iowa, the leadoff caucus state. Equality California and Silver State Equality, its newly launched Nevada partnership, will focus on appealing to voters in both states. Nevada is the third state to vote, with a caucus on Feb. 22. California holds its primary on March 3, known as Super Tuesday, but millions of people who vote by mail will get their ballots next month.
Buttigieg, in an emailed statement, called the groups “unrelenting in their fight for LGBTQ+ people and our push for full equality.”

Every Democratic Candidate Had the Opportunity to Fill out a Survey From the Groups

“My campaign is based around a shared future of belonging for all Americans, no matter their sexual orientation or gender identity,” he said. “President Trump’s attacks on the LGBTQ+ community, especially our trans members, have shown us that the fight for equal rights did not end with marriage equality. I will be the President to continue that fight for equality.”

“My campaign is based around a shared future of belonging for all Americans, no matter their sexual orientation or gender identity. President Trump’s attacks on the LGBTQ+ community, especially our trans members, have shown us that the fight for equal rights did not end with marriage equality. I will be the President to continue that fight for equality.” — Pete Buttigieg
Every Democratic candidate had the opportunity to fill out a survey from the groups. Amy Klobuchar is the only major candidate who did not participate, said Samuel Garrett-Pate, a spokesman for the groups. Buttigieg, Steyer and Warren then participated in lengthy interviews with the endorsement committee.
All three had LGBTQ policy platforms that would be the most progressive for any president in history, Zbur said. But Buttigieg stood out for the depth of his plans on such issues as funding programs that can help stop the transmission of and deaths from HIV and teacher training and mentorship programs in schools to provide support for LGBTQ youth. Zbur said Buttigieg’s criminal justice plan, which included plans to protect transgender people, stood out as well.
The group’s endorsement means it will be promoting Buttigieg through slate cards highlighting its chosen candidate, a robust texting program and digital advertisements. Equality California has purchased ads on Grindr, an LGBTQ dating app, to promote things like the upcoming census and get-out-the-vote efforts, and it may run similar ads for Buttigieg.
Buttigieg also has the backing of Victory Fund, an organization that helps LGBTQ candidates win elected office.
Seeing Buttigieg make a serious run for the presidency as an openly gay man is “something that literally brings tears to the eyes of many members of our community,” Zbur said. A Buttigieg presidency would “redefine what’s possible in politics and will inspire millions of LGBT youth.”
Mandy Lee, former president of the group’s board and a member of the endorsement committee, said, “It wasn’t just the fact that he was LGBTQ. It was everything that he demonstrated on our call that showed us that he was the best and most invested.”

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

FDA Approves Moderna’s New Lower-Dose COVID-19 Vaccine

DON'T MISS

Cabrera, Three Relievers Combine to Lead Marlins to Win Over Giants

DON'T MISS

Spike in Steel Tariffs Could Imperil Trump Promise of Lower Grocery Prices

DON'T MISS

Dodgers’ Mookie Betts Out With Broken Toe After Late-Night Bedroom Mishap

DON'T MISS

California Gubernatorial Candidate Steve Hilton Vows to Repeal Transgender Athlete Law

DON'T MISS

Trans Athlete Competes in California Championships in Clovis Despite National Controversy

DON'T MISS

Tim Walz Urges Democrats to Fight Back Harder Against ‘Bully’ Trump

DON'T MISS

US Defense Secretary Warns Indo-Pacific Allies of ‘Imminent’ Threat From China

DON'T MISS

Hamas Responds to the US Ceasefire Proposal for Gaza While Seeking Amendments

DON'T MISS

No. 15 Overall Seed UCLA Eases Past Fresno State Behind a Season-High 22 Hits

UP NEXT

Tim Walz Urges Democrats to Fight Back Harder Against ‘Bully’ Trump

UP NEXT

Loretta Swit, Emmy-winner Who Played Houlihan on Pioneering TV Series ‘M.A.S.H.,’ Has Died at 87

UP NEXT

1 in 4 US Children Have Parents With Substance Use Disorder, Study Finds

UP NEXT

Dozens Sickened in Expanding Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Recalled Cucumbers

UP NEXT

Speaker Johnson Raises Campaign Money in Fresno

UP NEXT

Business Insider Cuts 21% of Workforce, Memo Shows

UP NEXT

Harvard Agrees to Relinquish Early Photos of Slaves, Ending a Long Legal Battle

UP NEXT

Silence on E. Coli Outbreak Highlights How Trump Team’s Changes Undermine Food Safety

UP NEXT

Republican Tuberville Announces Bid for Alabama Governor

UP NEXT

Trump Pardons Tax Cheat After Mother Attends $1 Million Dinner

Dodgers’ Mookie Betts Out With Broken Toe After Late-Night Bedroom Mishap

4 hours ago

California Gubernatorial Candidate Steve Hilton Vows to Repeal Transgender Athlete Law

8 hours ago

Trans Athlete Competes in California Championships in Clovis Despite National Controversy

11 hours ago

Tim Walz Urges Democrats to Fight Back Harder Against ‘Bully’ Trump

12 hours ago

US Defense Secretary Warns Indo-Pacific Allies of ‘Imminent’ Threat From China

12 hours ago

Hamas Responds to the US Ceasefire Proposal for Gaza While Seeking Amendments

12 hours ago

No. 15 Overall Seed UCLA Eases Past Fresno State Behind a Season-High 22 Hits

12 hours ago

Judge and Ohtani Light Up the First Inning With Historic Homers in Yankees-Dodgers Rematch

12 hours ago

Chapman Homers, Harrison Pitches Five Scoreless Innings as Giants Beat Marlins

12 hours ago

General Is a Good Boy — in English and Spanish

13 hours ago

FDA Approves Moderna’s New Lower-Dose COVID-19 Vaccine

The U.S. approved a new COVID-19 vaccine made by Moderna late Friday but with limits on who can use it — not a replacement for the company&#...

4 hours ago

4 hours ago

FDA Approves Moderna’s New Lower-Dose COVID-19 Vaccine

4 hours ago

Cabrera, Three Relievers Combine to Lead Marlins to Win Over Giants

4 hours ago

Spike in Steel Tariffs Could Imperil Trump Promise of Lower Grocery Prices

4 hours ago

Dodgers’ Mookie Betts Out With Broken Toe After Late-Night Bedroom Mishap

Steve Hilton, a 2026 candidate for governor, speaks at a news conference on May 31, 2025, outside Veterans Memorial Stadium in Clovis. (GV Wire/David Taub)
8 hours ago

California Gubernatorial Candidate Steve Hilton Vows to Repeal Transgender Athlete Law

11 hours ago

Trans Athlete Competes in California Championships in Clovis Despite National Controversy

12 hours ago

Tim Walz Urges Democrats to Fight Back Harder Against ‘Bully’ Trump

12 hours ago

US Defense Secretary Warns Indo-Pacific Allies of ‘Imminent’ Threat From China

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend