Los Angeles — Equality California today announced the endorsements of three LGBT candidates for local races across California.
“While our endorsed candidates may be running for office for the first time, they are all experienced advocates for civil rights and social justice and leaders in their own communities,” said Rick Zbur, executive director of Equality California. “Having LGBT representation in local government is a key part of advancing LGBT civil rights and maintaining protections already won.”
The candidates are:
Georgette Gomez for San Diego City Council District 9 – Georgette Gomez would be the first openly LGBT Latina elected to the San Diego City Council. She would bring skill, experience and a passionate voice advocating not only for LGBT people, but for women, youth, seniors and affordable housing. Gomez herself has helped elect pro-LGBT candidates to office as political director for San Diego Democrats for Equality, and she led several “get out the vote” efforts in the fight to defeat Proposition 8.
Eric Gray for Long Beach City Council District 2 – Eric Gray was instrumental in establishing the Long Beach Transgender Forum, as well as in establishing Harvey Milk Park. He is a longtime member of the Human Rights Campaign and the Long Beach Lambda Democratic Club. He would be a strong advocate on the city council for the LGBT community, including homeless youth and LGBT small business owners. If elected, Gray plans to work to continue the growth of the Broadway Corridor, which has the highest concentration of LGBT-owned businesses in the city.
Rene Spring for Morgan Hill City Council – Rene Spring is director of program management for Cadence Design Systems and serves as a board member and current president of the Morgan Hill Community Foundation. He is also a member of the South County Democratic Club. If elected to the city council, he would be a voice for the full inclusion of LGBT people in the civic life of Morgan Hill and would ensure that LGBT equality and diversity are reflected in municipal departments.
The Equality California Political Action Committee endorses viable candidates who have a proven track record of supporting equal rights and legal protections for LGBT Californians and who are committed to advancing these goals in their capacity as elected officials.
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Equality California is the nation’s largest statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization dedicated to creating a fair and just society. Our mission is to achieve and maintain full and lasting equality, acceptance, and social justice for all people in our diverse LGBT communities, inside and outside of California. Our mission includes advancing the health and well-being of LGBT Californians through direct healthcare service advocacy and education. Through electoral, advocacy, education and mobilization programs, we strive to create a broad and diverse alliance of LGBT people, educators, government officials, communities of color and faith, labor, business, and social justice communities to achieve our goals. www.eqca.org
