FRED WHO - PART 2

In Episode 2 of this 10-part series, Fred Karger, the first openly gay U.S. presidential candidate, sits down withMatthew Breen for a powerful conversation about identity, resilience, politics, and the long road toward LGBTQ+ equality.

From coming of age as a gay man in the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s to finding his voice in politics, Fred reflects on the personal experiences and public battles that shaped his life. He shares stories of early campaign work, Hollywood detours, the fight against California’s Briggs Initiative, saving queer spaces in Laguna Beach, and taking on major Prop 8 donors through Californians Against Hate.

This episode is a vital chapter in a larger series exploring LGBTQ+ history, activism, visibility, and the people who helped change what was possible for future generations.

For more about Fred go to fredkarger.com

Follow him @fredkarger

Fred Karger made history as the first openly gay candidate for president of the United States. In this first episode of a ten-part series documenting his groundbreaking 2012 campaign, Matthew Breen interviews Karger about the final stop of that historic run: Utah.

Karger explains why Utah became both a symbolic and strategic battleground, not only in his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination, but in his long fight against the Mormon Church’s role in anti–same-sex marriage efforts. He recounts getting on the Utah GOP ballot, campaigning statewide by bus, and using the moment to challenge Mitt Romney, church leaders, and the political forces behind marriage equality opposition.

The conversation centers on Karger’s provocative “Stop the Hate” ad, released after a study reported alarming mental-health disparities among Utah LGBT teens, including dramatically higher rates of depression and attempted suicide. The ad drew backlash from the church and criticism from some LGBT leaders, but Karger says it also brought messages of gratitude from young people who felt seen.

Karger also reflects on speaking at a Log Cabin Republicans dinner at the Utah governor’s mansion, receiving explosive “MormonGate” documents, drawing media attention after an anti-gay email surfaced, and ultimately ending his presidential campaign while continuing the activism that powered it from the beginning.

Join us each week as we share a new chapter from Karger’s historic campaign, from long-shot strategy and headline-making moments to the personal risks, political fights, and lasting impact of a candidacy that broke barriers.

For more about Fred go to fredkarger.com

Follow him on Instagram @fredkarger