EQCA - Equality California

12/29/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/29/2024 17:12

Equality California on the Passing of President Jimmy Carter

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 29, 2024

CONTACT: Jorge Reyes Salinas, Equality California
PHONE: (213) 355-3057/MOBILE: (213) 355-3057/EMAIL: press@eqca.org

LOS ANGELES - Equality California, the nation's largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, released the following statement from Executive Director Tony Hoang following the news that Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, had passed away at his home in Plains, Georgia:

"Throughout his presidency and beyond, President Carter stood up for marginalized communities and individuals, including LGBTQ+ people, people of color, and refugees. He believed that everyone deserves equal treatment and opportunities, regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, or background. From his support of HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment efforts in Africa-increasing access to healthcare and education for those affected by the epidemic-to his vocal advocacy for marriage equality, President Carter used his powerful yet humble voice to speak up for all of us. He worked tirelessly to promote peace, justice, and democracy around the world, and his commitment to human rights and equality will be remembered and celebrated for generations to come."

In 1977, President Carter was the first sitting U.S. President to welcome a delegation of out gay and lesbian advocates to the White House to discuss policy with administration officials. When he ran for re-election in 1980, he became the first Democrat to endorse a gay rights plank in the party's national platform. In 2012, he penned an op-ed in which he declared his support for same-sex marriage, stating that "we must make it clear that love, not hate, should guide us."

In addition to his advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, President Carter was a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and an advocate for women's rights, gender equality and international human rights.

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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