Equality California, the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, announced a slate of 2022 endorsements Thursday, ahead of the California Democratic Party convention.

The organization has endorsed progressive pro-equality champion Tina McKinnor in the April 5 special election to fill the vacancy in the current 62nd Assembly District following the resignation of Assemblymember Autumn Burke. McKinnor is a lifelong Democrat who has led efforts to advance civil rights and social justice in the California Legislature — including the successful push to pass Senator Steven Bradford’s SB 2 last year, which created a process for the decertification of law enforcement officers who engage in serious misconduct and illegally violate a person’s civil rights.

“Tina McKinnor is the pro-equality champion we need fighting for South LA in the California Assembly,” said Equality California Executive Director Tony Hoang.  “Tina led the campaign against Proposition 8 in South Los Angeles in 2008, and now leads a multiracial, multifaith coalition in support of civil rights and social justice as Director of Civic Engagement for LA Voice — underscoring her longtime commitment to full, lived equality for LGBTQ+ Californians and the diverse communities to which we belong. Equality California is thrilled to support her campaign.”

Equality California also endorsed Aisha Wahab to replace Senator Bob Wieckowski, who is terming out this year, in the new Senate District 10. Wahab made headlines in 2018 as the first Afghan-American woman elected to public office in the United States. As Mayor Pro Tempore & City Councilmember of Hayward, Wahab has implemented policies that reduce economic inequality, expand homeownership opportunities, support small businesses, and strengthen safety nets for seniors, women, children and working families. As a City Councilmember, she voted for the City of Hayward to raise the PRIDE flag, requested that all human resources’ applications in the city have a nonbinary option and supported the creation of gender-neutral restrooms.

“Equality California is proud to support Aisha Wahab’s campaign for the California Senate,” said Hoang. “Aisha is a steadfast pro-equality champion and a committed advocate for civil rights, reproductive freedom, affordable housing and quality healthcare for all. We are confident that Aisha will be a champion for the LGBTQ+ community in Sacramento, and we look forward to working with her in the Senate.”

Additionally, the organization endorsed incumbent Assemblymembers Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda), Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) and Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) for reelection in the new 16th, 44th and 42nd Assembly Districts, respectively.

“Assemblymembers Bauer-Kahan, Friedman and Irwin have been strong pro-equality champions in the Assembly, and we are proud to support their campaigns for re-election,” said Hoang. “We look forward to continuing our partnership as we strive to create a world that is healthy, just and fully equal for all LGBTQ+ people.”

For a full list of Equality California’s 2022 endorsements to date, visit eqca.org/elections.

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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