FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 5, 2026

CONTACT: Jorge Reyes Salinas, Equality California
PHONE: (213) 355-3057/MOBILE: (213) 355-3057/EMAIL: press@eqca.org

SAN FRANCISCO — Equality California, the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, will host the 2026 San Francisco Equality Awards on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at The Conservatory at One Sansome from 6:00-10:00 PM

WHO:	San Francisco Board of Supervisors President Rafael Mandelman (Vanguard Leadership Award Honoree; Featured Speaker), Golden State Valkyries [represented by President Jess Smith] (Community Leadership Award Honoree), Equality California Executive Director Tony Hoang (Featured Speaker), Sen. Scott Wiener (Event Co-Chair; Featured Speaker; EQCA-endorsed candidate, CA-11), Hon. Bevan Dufty (Event Co-Chair; Featured Speaker), Asm. Catherine Stefani (Featured Speaker), Hon. Shay Franco-Clausen (Featured Speaker), Hon. Leslie Katz (Featured Speaker), Rhaetia & Will Hanscum (Featured Speakers), Asm. Mia Bonta, Asm. Damon Connolly, Asm. Matt Haney, Asm. Corey Jackson, Hon. Matt Dorsey (San Francisco Board of Supervisors), Hon. Jane Kim (Former San Francisco Supervisor), Hon. Brooke Jenkins (San Francisco District Attorney), Hon. José Cisneros (San Francisco Treasurer), Hon. Igor Tregub (Councilmember, City of Berkeley), Hon. Amie Carter (Superintendent of Schools, Sonoma County), Hon. Rebecca Saltzman (Councilmember, City of El Cerrito), Charles Hawthorne (DJ)
WHAT:	Equality California will honor San Francisco Board of Supervisors President Rafael Mandelman with the Vanguard Leadership Award and the Golden State Valkyries with the Community Leadership Award at the organization’s annual San Francisco Equality Awards on Saturday, May 9, 2026. The San Francisco Equality Awards recognize leaders in the fight for LGBTQ+ civil rights and social justice and help to fuel Equality California’s work to advance full, lived equality for all LGBTQ+ people.
WHEN:	Saturday, May 9, 2026 6:00-10:00 PM PDT Media are encouraged to arrive at 5:30 PM
WHERE:	The Conservatory at One Sansome One Sansome Street San Francisco, CA 94104
PARKING:	There is no onsite parking at the venue, but there are several nearby parking garages within walking distance. We strongly encourage the use of Uber, Equality California’s Official Rideshare Partner.
MEDIA RSVP:	This is a private event, open to ticketed guests and credentialed members of the media. To obtain media credentials, RSVP to Jorge Reyes Salinas at press@eqca.org.
ATTIRE:	Festive Cocktail Note: Large bags and backpacks are strictly prohibited.
EVENT SPONSORS:	Leadership Sponsors: Southwest (Official Airline Sponsor), Amazon, Comcast, Meta, United Airlines Statewide Sponsors: Uber (Official Rideshare Partner), Edison International, Kaiser Permanente, LGBTQ+ Legislative Caucus Leadership Fund, Reed & Davidson, LLP, Walmart Presenting Sponsors: AFSCME 3299, California Federation of Teachers, Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, PG&E

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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

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