Equality California, the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization, has endorsed Vivian Romero’s campaign for Senate District 32. Romero currently serves as Montebello’s first openly LGBTQ city councilmember and previously served as the city’s first openly LGBTQ mayor.

“Equality California is proud to endorse Vivian Romero because she knows first-hand that diversity and inclusion are what make California great,” said Equality California Executive Director Rick Zbur. “We’re confident that when she gets to Sacramento, Councilwoman Romero will fight for equal pay, stand up against attacks on immigrant communities and provide critical representation for our LGBTQ community as a member of the Legislative LGBT Caucus.”

On the Montebello City Council and in her previous role as Mayor, Romero’s major initiatives have included addressing homelessness through the San Gabriel Riverbed Task Force, increasing jobs and making improvements along the Pomona SR-60 Freeway corridor through Caltrans Rehabilitation, fighting for clean air through the Advanced Clean Trucks Now Plan and renovating the City of Montebello Veterans Memorial and Constitution Bicentennial Monument. The Montebello Unified School District Board of Education has recognized Romero for her work and contributions to the LGBTQ community and she was instrumental in establishing the 1st Annual Pride Walk for High School students.

“I am deeply honored to receive Equality California’s endorsement,” said Romero. “Right now, it’s critical we take defensive action against attacks on immigrant communities, create affordable housing, ensure Californians have access to affordable health care and protect our basic civil rights. I will  continue to advocate and support policies that deliver environmental justice for disadvantaged communities. We need all Californians to thrive, and must continue working to ensure that race, gender, sexual orientation and gender identity are never barriers to opportunity.”

If elected to the California Senate, Romero would prioritize working to close the persistent wage gap, protecting the environment, strengthening workplace protections against sexual harassment and enacting additional policies that empower women and support working families. Romero is a tenacious leader who will work to create a future that supports inclusion and success for all Californians.

The Los Angeles-area senate seat is currently vacant following the resignation of Senator Tony Mendoza, who resigned “after an independent investigation found it was likely he made unwanted sexual advances toward six women during his tenure.”

For a full list of Equality California’s 2018 endorsements to date, visit eqca.org/our-endorsements.

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