Gloria overcomes anti-LGBTQ campaign attacks in final months of campaign
Washington, DC – California Assemblymember Todd Gloria has won his race for mayor of San Diego and is the first openly LGBTQ person and first person of color elected mayor of the city. In the final months of his campaign, Gloria overcame coordinated false and homophobic attacks on his record that led to him receiving threats of violence on social media. Gloria will be the second-highest ranking LGBTQ mayor currently serving in the U.S. and the third-highest ranking openly LGBTQ mayor in U.S. history when he takes office.
Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund, released the following statement about Gloria’ victory:
“It is an uphill battle for LGBTQ people of color to be in a position to run for high-level office, much less win, so Todd’s victory is a pivotal moment for San Diego and the country. Todd shattered a rainbow ceiling and is now the second-highest ranking LGBTQ mayor in the country. His voice and his impact on critical issues – and especially civil rights – will extend far beyond the boundaries of his city and state. Todd will undoubtably become a role model for many LGBTQ young people who too rarely see someone like them in a position of power.”
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is the highest-ranking mayor in U.S. history based on the number of residents represented. Mayor Parker, the former mayor of Houston, was the first LGBTQ mayor of a major U.S. city and the second-highest ranking mayor in U.S. history.
Gloria is an alum of LGBTQ Victory Institute’s Candidate & Campaign Training – a four-day bootcamp that prepares LGBTQ people to run for office.
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LGBTQ Victory Fund
LGBTQ Victory Fund works to change the face and voice of America’s politics and achieve equality for LGBTQ Americans by increasing the number of openly LGBTQ elected officials at all levels of government.
