A Committed Defender of LGBTQ+ Rights in the Golden State, Wiener Seeks Seat Long Held by Retiring Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi
WASHINGTON — Today the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) PAC, the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, Equality California, Equality PAC, LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, and the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus announced their endorsements of California State Sen. Scott Wiener for California’s 11th Congressional District — the seat long held by retiring House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi.
In his nine years in the California Legislature, Sen. Wiener has been at the forefront of the fight for LGBTQ+ equality in the state, sponsoring numerous pieces of legislation that combatted discrimination on the basis of HIV status, sexual orientation and gender identity.
HRC President Kelley Robinson:
“With our lives under attack from the MAGA regime, the LGBTQ+ community needs to see more of our own in the halls of power unabashedly standing up for our rights and freedoms. Scott Wiener will be a champion in Congress. During his time in the California Legislature, he has been relentless in fighting for our community, and he’s ready to go toe-to-toe with the Trump administration and anti-equality forces in Congress to deliver victories for all Californians. We are proud to endorse Scott Wiener and to work to mobilize our members and supporters on behalf of his candidacy.”
Equality California Executive Director Tony Hoang:
“Scott Wiener is one of the country’s most effective and courageous champions for LGBTQ+ equality — leading efforts to expand access to life-saving medications, protect LGBTQ+ seniors and foster youth, and make California a refuge for transgender young people and their families. At a time of unprecedented attacks on our community from the Trump Administration, his unwavering commitment to equality and unparalleled record of fighting for our communities are exactly what we need in Washington. His leadership is what San Francisco deserves in Congress, and we are proud to endorse his campaign.”
Equality PAC Executive Director Jeff Larivee:
“San Francisco has long stood at the forefront of LGBTQ representation, carrying forward the spirit of Harvey Milk and the generations of activists who made visibility possible. As Republicans continue to erase the voices of LGBTQ Americans, it is critical that we elect strong LGBTQ advocates like Scott Wiener who will never waver in the face of bigotry and intolerance. With the retirement of Speaker Pelosi, a defining voice in the House, we must continue to elect a new generation of leaders rooted in justice, representation, and resilience.”
LGBTQ+ Victory Fund President & CEO Evan Low:
“Few leaders have fought harder for LGBTQ+ rights in California than State Sen. Scott Wiener—and now he’s taking that fight to Congress. For over 15 years, Scott has delivered results at the local and state level, championing equality, safety, and health for all. LGBTQ+ Victory Fund proudly endorses his campaign.
I worked with Scott to enshrine marriage equality and repeal Prop 8—just one of his many achievements. In Sacramento, he’s led efforts to protect LGBTQ+ youth, reform the criminal justice system, defend immigrants, and expand healthcare access.
Electing Scott means sending a proven leader to Washington with the courage and track record to stop the rollback of LGBTQ+ rights. Our caucus will be stronger when Scott joins us in the U.S. House in 2026.”
Assemblymember Chris Ward (D- San Diego), Chair of the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus:
“The LGBTQ+ community has no greater legislative champion than Senator Scott Wiener. From expanding access to HIV care, to strengthening rights for seniors and youth, to trailblazing access to IDs for nonbinary people, he has done it all and never backed down. His courageous leadership and proven track record of delivering for our community are needed in Congress now more than ever as right-wing forces continue to target LGBTQ+ people with bigotry and hatred. That is why the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus is proud to endorse Scott Wiener for California’s 11th Congressional District.”
California Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) released the following statement:
“The support for our campaign from the LGBTQ community has been overwhelming, and I’m humbled to receive endorsements from the organizations leading our fight for equality. This community means so much to me, and I will never stop fighting to defend and uplift it. As MAGA continues to scapegoat and vilify LGBTQ people for the simple, revolutionary act of living authentically, we’ll continue to show the world what resilience looks like. As San Francisco’s next member of Congress, I will fight relentlessly to ensure every LGBTQ person has the protections and support they need to live openly with pride.”
Sen. Wiener has been the author of many important bills relating to the LGBTQ+ community, including legislation creating the option for nonbinary people to have official documents matching their gender identity, bills preventing discrimination based on HIV status and expanding access to PrEP, and legislation to protect transgender youth seeking healthcare in California.