LGBT Caucus Statement on Anti-LGBT Initiative

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 25, 2015 

LGBT Caucus Statement on Anti-LGBT Initiative 

SACRAMENTO, CA – Assemblymember Susan Talamantes Eggman (Stockton), Chair of the Legislative Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Caucus, released the following statement in response to Attorney General Kamala D. Harris’ request to seek authorization to not issue a title and summary for the “Sodomite Suppression Act. Earlier this month, the LGBT Caucus filed a formal complaint calling upon State Bar to investigate Matthew McLaughlin, author of the anti-LGBT initiative.

“We applaud Attorney General Kamala D. Harris and her decision to seek judicial authorization for relief from issuing a title and summary for such an outrageous initiative. Not only is this ballot initiative clearly unconstitutional, it is an affront to our shared values of diversity and equality under the law. While we are hopeful that this measure will not move forward, we call upon the court to grant the Attorney General’s request and avoid threatening the progress toward equality we have made in this great state.”

Originally formed in 2002, the LGBT Caucus serves as a forum for the California Legislature to discuss issues that affect LGBT Californians and to further the goal of equality and justice for all residents in the State. Comprising both Senate and Assembly members, the LGBT Caucus members include: Assembly Speaker Toni G. Atkins, Assemblymembers Susan Talamantes Eggman (Chair), Richard S. Gordon, Evan Low; Senators Cathleen Galgiani, Ricardo Lara, and Mark Leno. The Caucus’ formation made California the first state in the country to recognize an official caucus of openly-LGBT state legislators.

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Media Contacts:
LGBT Caucus
William Kim
916-319-2525
William.Kim@asm.ca.gov

Assemblymember Susan Talamantes Eggman
Christian Burkin
916-319-2013
Christian.Burkin@asm.ca.gov