Stonewall Spotlight

It’s been 465 days since the inauguration of the 45th President which can only mean one thing: It’s primary season!

In our latest edition of Stonewall Spotlight, host Marcus Lovingood interviews Alex Villanueva, Stonewall’s endorsed candidate for L.A. County Sheriff on the challenges facing the scandal plagued department and his plans for reform. Lovingood and Sean Kolodji, Stonewall’s Communications Vice-President and resident political prognosticator, handicaps the major races and issues bewildering California voters. And to start Pride season, host Mackenzie Hussman and contributor Lauren Buisson discuss the unlikely conservative jurist who made marriage equality a reality in California. And we’ll hear from honorees and electeds from the 42nd annual Stoney Awards.

It’s been more than a quarter century since the first Year of the Woman in 1992 brought a distaff perspective to Congress. Yet women still comprise only around 20% of Federal legislators. 2018 is looking more like the Year of the Women – with nearly 600 women running for Congress or governorships this election cycle. This month on Stonewall Spotlight, we salute this historic political shift. Mackenzie Hussman interviews Stonewall endorsed candidate Katie Hill running for California’s 25th Congressional District. We’ll also hear reflections from Congresswoman Karen Bass, Stonewall’s Public Official of the Year, and Assemblymember Laura Friedman, Stonewall’s Elected of the Year, on winning the 2018 Stoney Awards and the issues that matter to them most. Marcus Lovingood and Lauren Buisson discuss the life and legacy of political pioneer Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm and her historic run for the Democratic Presidential Nomination. Join the club at www.stonewalldems.org

Women are at the forefront of the progressive resurgence and the resistance movement. On this episode of Stonewall Spotlight, our host Marcus Lovingood interviews Los Angeles Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez, an influential progressive leader at City Hall who has shown harrowing leadership during natural disasters and has fought for greater representation for women in local government. We also feature Stonewall's endorsed candidate in the April 3 Assembly District 39 election Luz Rivas, who has been an advocate in the community for girls pursuing careers in science and technology. In celebration of Women's History Month, Mackenzie Hussman discusses the achievements of Mathilde Krim, a trailblazing HIV/AIDs researcher and advocate who worked tirelessly to advocate for and get better medical care for those suffering from HIV from the very beginning of the epidemic. Finally, Marcus Lovingood discusses the CA Party Convention and progressive activism within Stonewall activist Crags Scott.

The history of Gay liberation is a long and winding road (apologies to Lennon and McCartney). Today, on the inaugural episode of Stonewall Spotlight, the podcast of the Stonewall Democratic Club, we’ll explore history past and present via the journeys of two LGBQT pioneers. Marcus Lovingood interviews California State Senator Ricardo Lara whose campaign for Insurance Commissioner has him poised to make history as the Golden State’s first openly gay statewide office holder. Mackenzie Hussman and Lauren Buisson celebrate Black History Month with a discussion on the life and legacy of Bayard Rustin, the unsung LGBQT hero of numerous Civil Rights firsts. We’ll also hear from Stonewall members on what Gay Rights activism means to them today. Get involved at www.stonewalldems.org.