2020 Democratic challengers to address LGBT issues in candidates’ forum
Democratic Presidential hopefuls Cory Booker, Elizabeth Warren, Pete Buttegieg, Kamala Harris, Beto O’Rourke, Kirsten Gillibrand and Bernie Sanders (Getty)
Challengers in the 2020 Democratic primaries will go head-to-head in a candidates’ forum on LGBT+ issues.
The Human Rights Campaign’s foundation will co-host the event, which is expected to be televised, at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs in Los Angeles on October 10.
As the crowded Democratic race to challenge President Donald Trump intensifies, the event will see the candidates quizzed about their LGBT+ rights records and policy plans.
2020 Democratic challengers to debate LGBT+ issues
There are currently 14 candidates who are seeking the party’s nomination in 2020, many of whom have strong pro-LGBT records.
The event will mirror qualifying rules for primary debates, which are open to candidates who receive more than one percent of the vote in three separate national polls, or who receive donations from 65,000 different people in 20 different states.
Pete Buttegieg, who recently passed the required threshold to secure a spot in the debates, would be the first out gay man to become President.
“Millions of LGBTQ people will have their rights on the ballot in 2020—but today we are also a powerful voting bloc that will help determine the outcome.”
— HRC President Chad Griffin
HRC President Chad Griffin said: “If any LGBTQ person were to take a cross-country drive from HRC headquarters in Washington, D.C., to UCLA’s campus, their rights and protections under the law would change dozens of times at every city line and state border.
“Millions of LGBTQ people will have their rights on the ballot in 2020 — but today we are also a powerful voting bloc that will help determine the outcome.
“We’re excited to partner with UCLA Luskin and create an opportunity to hear candidates’ agendas for moving equality forward.”
Event will give attention to LGBT+ policy stances of 2020 Democratic candidates
Gary Segura, dean of UCLA Luskin, added: “The Luskin School of Public Affairs is dedicated to enhancing the well-being of all Americans through an informed electorate and educated social leaders.
“We are beyond excited to partner with the Human Rights Campaign in raising LGBTQ issues and the policy stances of candidates to greater public attention in this cycle. UCLA is the perfect host for this conversation.”
The stage for the final presidential debate at the Thomas & Mack Center October 17, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Win McNamee/Getty)
HRC last hosted a policy forum event for the 2008 Presidential election, when both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton took part.
2004 Democratic candidate John Kerry was also among Democrats to take part in an HRC policy forum event.
