Equality California, the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization released the following statement from Executive Director Rick Zbur in support of Governor Gavin Newsom’s decision to impose an indefinite moratorium on executions in the State of California, to be announced Wednesday:

“Equality California applauds Governor Newsom for the principled leadership he has demonstrated through this decision. Fairness and equality are fundamental California values. But these core values are not reflected in our state’s broken death penalty system. We cannot accept a system in which certain communities — especially communities of color and the LGBTQ community — are disproportionately vulnerable simply because of our race, our sexual orientation or gender identity, how much money we have or where we are from.

“In 2004, then-Mayor Gavin Newsom stood up for marriage equality before it was politically popular. Today, Governor Newsom is taking another principled stand, this time against California’s unfair and unjust death penalty system. As Dr. King said, ‘The time is always right to do what is right.’”

“Equality California is committed to our mission of striving to create a world that is healthy, just and fully equal for all LGBTQ people. The governor’s moratorium on executions is an essential step toward creating such a world.”

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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