LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Times and other outlets reported on a recorded conversation between Los Angeles City Councilmembers Nury Martinez, Kevin de León and Gil Cedillo, as well as Los Angeles County Federation of Labor President Ron Herrera, that included racist and homophobic comments and slurs. Equality California, the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, released the following statement Sunday in response to the reporting:
“Racism and hate have no place in our politics or public discourse. The comments about Councilmember Mike Bonin and his son are completely unacceptable, and we are sending the Councilmember, Sean and their entire family our love and support. “We are also deeply disappointed by the slurs used against Councilmembers Bonin and Mitch O’Farrell, the two openly gay members of the City Council. Whether on the playground or in halls of power — regardless of intent — these words are too often used to belittle and demean LGBTQ+ people.”
“Racism and hate have no place in our politics or public discourse. The comments about Councilmember Mike Bonin and his son are completely unacceptable, and we are sending the Councilmember, Sean and their entire family our love and support.
“We are also deeply disappointed by the slurs used against Councilmembers Bonin and Mitch O’Farrell, the two openly gay members of the City Council. Whether on the playground or in halls of power — regardless of intent — these words are too often used to belittle and demean LGBTQ+ people.”
Equality California released a second statement on Monday after Councilmember Nury Martinez announced she would step down as Council President:
“Nury Martinez’s resignation as Council President was an important first step, but it cannot be the last. She, Kevin de León and Gil Cedillo must resign from their positions of power immediately to restore trust in LA’s leadership and allow our communities to heal. And we all must rededicate ourselves to uniting our diverse communities against the anti-Black, anti-Indigenous and anti-LGBTQ+ hate that stands in the way of our collective empowerment and progress.”
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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
