Clinton chooses Kaine as running mate

In response to Hillary Clinton’s announcement that she has chosen Virginia Senator Tim Kaine as her vice presidential running mate, Equality California Executive Director Rick Zbur issued the following statement:

“With her selection of Sen. Tim Kaine, Hillary Clinton has highlighted the stark differences between her ticket and her opponent’s. In contrast to the extremes of racism, xenophobia, sexism, and homo- and transphobia on vivid display by Donald Trump and his running mate, Kaine presents an alternative: a pragmatist who works across ideologies and across the aisle to get things done.

As governor of Virginia, Kaine partnered with the state’s Republican legislators and attorney general to strengthen background checks on gun purchases because the shipping and buying of assembled AR-10 rifles in the region was rampant. Vice President Joe Biden hailed the legislation as a potential model for a federal bill.

After exhibiting the same ‘evolution’ on LGBT issues as the nation as a whole, Kaine is now solidly pro-LGBT equality. As governor, he issued an executive order banning discrimination against lesbian and gay state employees and campaigned against a ballot measure barring same-sex couples from marrying. He has spoken out strongly in favor of marriage equality and adoption by same-sex couples, receiving a 90 percent rating from the Human Rights Campaign.

Donald Trump’s feigned concern in his speech for the perils LGBT people face abroad ignores the very real danger presented by his own party here at home. The virulently anti-LGBT Republican platform, Trump’s choice of the anti-LGBT Mike Pence as his running mate, and a campaign based on fear, bias and hatred clearly foreshadow what LGBT people can expect from a Trump administration. It is imperative that the LGBT community do all it can to ensure that Hillary Clinton is the next president of the United States.”

Story via press release