Los Angeles—In response to Marshall Tuck recently accepting a financial contribution from Howard Fieldstead Ahmanson, Jr., Equality California released the following statement:
“As the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization, we were extremely disappointed to learn that Marshall Tuck has accepted financial support in both his current and 2014 campaigns for California State Superintendent of Public Instruction from Howard Fieldstead Ahmanson, Jr., a well-known opponent of LGBTQ equality,” stated Rick Zbur, Executive Director of Equality California.
“We are concerned that someone seeking to lead the California Department of Education has accepted support from a man who is a well-known donor to right-wing and anti-LGBTQ causes and best known for bankrolling the infamous anti-LGBTQ Proposition 8.
Mr. Ahmanson’s right-wing and anti-LGBTQ record is clear:
Today, we are calling on Tuck to immediately divest himself of this tainted money, denounce Ahmanson due to his anti-LGBTQ and right-wing stances, refrain from taking donations from other right-wing and anti-LGBTQ donors, and make a public commitment to protect and support LGBTQ students and teachers and all LGBTQ people. Specifically, we ask that he:
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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
