On October 10, nine presidential candidates spoke at a CNN town hall in Los Angeles, California. The candidates discussed their plan to improve the lives of the members of the LGBTQ+ community. Perhaps, the strongest performances were given by NJ senator Cory Booker, former vice president Joe Biden, and Massachusetts senator Elizabeth Warren. Cory Booker was once against “gay rights.” However, Booker, like many Democrats, has changed his mind and has opened his heart to support the LGBTQ+ community. Booker wants all Americans to be happy with who they are. The most important thing he stated during the town hall was as follows: “We live in a country where we still see regular, everyday violence and intimidation and bullying against Americans, because of who they are.” I, for one, wholeheartedly agree with this statement. There has been an increase in hate crimes and this is because Americans are becoming far less tolerant and are forgetting that the American way truly means “liberty and justice for all.” Cory Booker also mentioned that “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Using this statement by MLK, was wise of him as he was able to resonate with Americans because as a whole Americans have a sense of justice. It is time for justice for not only a select group of people. It is time for liberty and justice for every single human being. So, great job Cory Booker!

After Cory Booker, Vice President Biden was ready to assure Americans that he is a fervent supporter of LGBTQ+ rights. He offered an anecdote about how he and his father witnessed a gay couple kissing on the streets. Biden recalls asking his father about why a man was kissing another man. His father simply explained that they “love each other.” Biden sees LGBTQ+ issues as a “simple” issues as he believes that love is love no matter who it is between. Last night Americans learned that Biden was ahead of the former president, Barrack Obama, in supporting gay rights. Biden knew that most Americans would be open to LGBTQ+ people marrying in 2004, and he was right about that. According to Biden, 57% of Americans were with him when he, before his president, supported gay marriage. It was perceptible that Biden was full of energy, even making some jokes! All in all, Biden did quite well and his policies play well with his loyal base. That being said, he must continue to assure the American people that he should be the Democratic nominee. This, however, which may prove to be a difficult task due to changes in the most recent polls, giving Elizabeth Warren, a far more progressive candidate, a slight edge on Biden in Iowa, the state in which the first caucus will be held.

Elizabeth Warren’s performance was solid, and she was full of energy and ready to answer questions from the audience. Elizabeth Warren differentiated herself from other candidates who spoke in the town hall by saying that she wanted to trade with countries that support the LGBTQ+ community and have “American values.” Warren seemed to care about global equality as opposed to equality in America. This seemed to sit well with LGBTQ+ activists. Warren will continue to have to work hard to keep up her poll numbers to clinch the nomination that one can only bet she so badly wants.

Pete Buttigieg, an openly gay candidate, did well during the town hall, but according to polls his chance at the nomination are slim. The same goes for Kamala Harris. Walking on the stage and telling the audience her personal pronouns and tying racial issues into LGBTQ+ issues may have helped her with minority LGBTQ+ members. Kamala Harris is remembered by many Americans for making headlines for attacking Biden on the debate stage regarding busing issues, but she has yet to get more than five percent in the polls. Therefore, it is improbable that she will be the Democratic nominee.

The town hall highlighted the idea that all the Democratic candidates will push a pro- LGBTQ+ rights agenda and will work with Congress to pass legislation that will put an end to discrimination of the LGBTQ+ members in our country. The future is bright for the rainbow community. Perhaps, the rainbow will come out brighter than ever next November, but until then LGBTQ+ members will have to wait for a president who will love and support all members of our society.