Last November, when California Democrats went to the polls, you didn’t just deliver a big blue majority up and down our state — you also shattered California’s pink ceiling.
As your Insurance Commissioner, I am the first openly gay person — as well as the first openly gay person of color — to be elected to statewide office in the Golden State.
And as we celebrate Pride Month and the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion this June, we are standing up and speaking out for our California value of equality for all. I salute the strong shoulders that I stand on, our LGBTQ brothers, sisters, and friends who fiercely marched, led protests, ran for office, and paved the way for the progress that we see today.
But our fight for full LGBTQ equality is not done. As we mark Pride, it is all the more crucial that we redouble our efforts and mobilize for laws that will protect our community — including the federal Equality Act.
The Equality Act will provide federal nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ Americans. But Senate Republicans are refusing to take up this crucial legislation.
If you haven’t already, will you add your name right now to urge Senate Republicans to take up and pass the Equality Act?
Fifty years ago, a courageous cadre of then unknown, and now immortalized, individuals refused to be silenced in the face of institutional prejudice: The heroes of what we now call the Stonewall Rebellion.
As we continue to fight for full equality, we must follow in their footsteps — and loudly raise our voices. While here in the Golden State we have strong statewide nondiscrimination protections for the LGBTQ community, so many LGBTQ people in states across the country can be discriminated against when trying to rent an apartment, look for a job, and access health care.
It’s unacceptable. This is another area where California must lead the nation.
Click here to add your name and demand Senate Republicans support the Equality Act by signing the California Democratic Party’s official petition.
Thank you for taking action alongside me this Pride Month!
Sincerely,
Ricardo Lara
California Insurance Commissioner