Ana Navarro was on fire, and the crowd loved it.
While accepting the Ally Leadership Award at Equality California’s 20th Equality Awards at the J.W. Marriott Hotel in downtown Los Angeles, the Republican strategist and political commentator skewered the Trump Administration and anyone else who weaponizes religious or political ideology to block LGBTQ rights.
Equality California award
But first, Navarro said she was a little surprised to receive the award.
“It’s 2019. People are still getting awards for supporting LGBTQ people and equality?,” Navarro asked. “That’s like giving a straight man an award for peeing inside the toilet bowl.
“This should not be that hard. This is what you are supposed to do,” Navarro said as the audience cheered and clapped their approval. “Believing in equal rights for all humans, regardless of gender, color, ethnicity, creed, and sexual orientation should be a basic expectation for humanity.”
Ana Navarro
Navarro, was recognized Saturday for her longtime advocacy for LGBTQ equality and immigration reform. Navarro has been an outspoken critic of the Trump Administration’s anti-LGBTQ and anti-immigrant policies since 2016.
She also has confronted fellow Republicans for not rebuking the Trump’s anti-LGBTQ statements.
Democratic presidential candidate forums to focus on LGBTQ issues
Calling out hypocrisy
During her acceptance speech, Navarro called out the hypocrisy of people who used their beliefs to restrict LGBTQ equality.
“Don’t tell me you are a strict constitutionalist if you are not willing to defend equal rights and equal protection under the law for everyone,” Navarro said, as the crowd’s applause and cheers became louder and louder.
“Don’t tell me that you are pro-military if you are against patriotic Americans who want to serve and risk their life in defense of this country, not because they’re not qualified, not because they’re pretending to have bone spurs, but because they’re transgender,” Navarro said.
Other honorees during the evening included “Transparent” creator Jill Soloway and the legal eagles at Latham & Watkins who have sued the Trump Administration to block its transgender military ban.
Equality California is the state’s largest LGBTQ equality group. Among other advocacy, they impact legislative change.
This year, Equality California supported several state bills. Here are two:
- Senate Bill 159 that would increase PrEP access
- Senate Bill 145 that would end a sentencing disparity that has harmed the gay and lesbian community
