Jack Walker\/The Advocate; Al Drago\/Getty Images<\/p>\n
Sign up for\u00a0The Agenda<\/a>, Them\u2019s news and politics newsletter, delivered Thursdays.<\/p>\n This story originally appeared in The Advocate<\/a>.<\/p>\n As the race to represent New York City\u2019s<\/a> 10th congressional district approaches, both Democratic<\/a> candidates say that their track records on LGBTQ+<\/a> rights make them the best fit for office.<\/p>\n In the June 23 primary election, Democrats<\/a> in the district will vote to advance either incumbent U.S. Rep. Dan Goldman or progressive challenger Brad Lander \u2014 a former New York City comptroller and city council member \u2014 to November\u2019s general election. As a firmly blue district, the winner of the primary election is generally viewed as the favorite to take a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.<\/p>\n Lander, an ally of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani<\/a>, has received endorsements from several high-profile LGBTQ+ organizations, including the Stonewall Democrats, the Lambda Independent Democrats of Brooklyn, the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, NYC Youth 4 Trans Rights, and the Christopher Street Project.<\/p>\n Goldman\u2019s campaign has also received support from some LGBTQ+ elected officials, including Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal, New York State Sen. Erik Bottcher, and New York Assemblymembers Deborah Glick and Tony Simone, as well as like Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal, New York State Sen. Erik Bottcher, and New York Assemblymembers Deborah Glick and Tony Simone, in addition to the Congressional Equality Caucus\u2019 Equality PAC.<\/p>\n Goldman and Lander both have made public appearances in support of the LGBTQ+ community. Both candidates attended the raising<\/a> of a new LGBTQ+ Pride flag outside Stonewall National Monument after the Trump administration ordered its removal<\/a> earlier this year.<\/p>\n Both candidates say LGBTQ+ rights would figure prominently in their policy agendas if elected.<\/p>\n \u201cDan has been a fierce and unyielding advocate for LGBTQ+ New Yorkers, from championing legislation to combat LGBTQ+ discrimination to fighting to protect access to gender-affirming care,\u201d Maddy Rosen, Goldman\u2019s press secretary, wrote in an email to The Advocate. \u201cAs the Trump administration doubles down on its homophobic and transphobic attacks, Dan will continue leading the fight to defend the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.\u201d<\/p>\n Rosen said that Goldman would seek to extend nondiscrimination protections under the Civil Rights Act to the LGBTQ+ community, launch an advisory committee on LGBTQ+ issues in the district, push for anti-LGBTQ+ harassment protections in schools, and strengthen anti-LGBTQ+ hate crime reporting laws.<\/p>\n As a New York City council member, Lander cosponsored bills to outlaw so-called \u201cconversion therapy,\u201d establish gender-neutral bathrooms, and expand educational<\/a> resources around HIV. His campaign highlighted those efforts in a Facebook post<\/a>. As comptroller, Lander published an annual guide<\/a> on LGBTQ+ resources in the city.<\/p>\n \u201cThere should never be a question of whether standing up for our LGBTQ+ neighbors, for trans kids, or for other marginalized communities is the right thing to do,\u201d Lander said in a statement to The Advocate. \u201cIn Congress, I\u2019ll make clear that LGBTQ+ rights, healthcare, safety, dignity, and humanity are not up for debate.\u201d<\/p>\n If Lander gets elected, protecting LGBTQ+ rights would be a major focus of Lander\u2019s time in Congress as well, according to his campaign team.<\/p>\n \u201cAt a time of escalating attacks on the LGBTQ+ community, I\u2019m proud to have the support of all of New York City\u2019s LGBTQ+ political clubs,\u201d Lander said in a quote to The Advocate provided by a media representative. \u201cAll New Yorkers benefit from the fight that began at Stonewall to make sure that everyone can live authentically as themselves without fear.\u201d<\/p>\n Get the best of what\u2019s queer.\u00a0Sign up for\u00a0Them\u2019s weekly newsletter here.<\/a><\/p>\n