HRC and CNN Will Host Historic Democratic Presidential Town Hall on LGBTQ Issues
The Human Rights Campaign announced on Thursday it will host a Democratic presidential town hall on LGBTQ issues with CNN, marking the first time such an event will be aired by a major news outlet.
The primetime event, called Power of Our Pride, will air live from The Novo in Los Angeles October 10, the eve of National Coming Out Day, and will include questions from the audience and CNN journalists on LGBTQ issues and each candidate's plans to "promote equality and civility," according to CNN.
Candidates who meet the DNC's fundraising and polling qualifications are invited to participate. So far six candidates have confirmed: Joe Biden, Pete Buttigieg, Julián Castro, Kamala Harris, Amy Klobuchar, and Elizabeth Warren.
Tickets to the event will be invite-only, and the audience will be comprised of HRC members, supporters and community leaders, as well as press, according to HRC.
"This town hall comes at a critical time in our fight to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people in this nation," said HRC President Alphonso David.
"Today, in 30 states, LGBTQ people remain at risk of being fired, evicted or denied services because of who we are. Thirty-five states have yet to ban the dangerous and debunked practice of 'conversion therapy,' which is harming our young people. Hate crimes are rising, and more than 100 transgender people—most of whom are transgender women of color—have been killed in the United States in the last five years."
"Although the federal government should be protecting all residents, the Trump-Pence Administration is directly attacking our community by banning transgender troops from serving our country openly, undermining health care services for people living with HIV, and seeking to erase LGBTQ people from protections under law," David added.
Democratic presidential candidates will also take part in an LGBTQ forum hosted by GLAAD, The Advocate, One Iowa, and The Gazette on September 20, at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.