Mayor Biskupski, LGBTQ Leaders Endorse Luz for Mayor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SLC Mayor Jackie Biskupski, Prominent LGBTQ Leaders Endorse Luz Escamilla for Mayor. 

Mayor Biskupski says she endorses Escamilla because “she will bring a fresh and different perspective to City Hall.” Salt Lake County Councilman Arlyn Bradshaw says “she is real and she is genuine.” 

Salt Lake City, October 7, 2019 — Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski, flanked by several LGBTQ leaders, officially endorsed Luz Escamilla in her bid to be the city’s next mayor at a press conference on the steps of City Hall. 

Introducing Biskupski, Salt Lake County Councilman Arlyn Bradshaw also endorsed Escamilla saying: “As LGBTQ individuals, we still need champions in elected office. We need leaders in our city who are not afraid to speak truth to power. We need a mayor that understands the struggle of our minority communities and will work tirelessly to end the injustices that will continue to affect us.” 

In her comments endorsing Escamilla, Biskupski highlighted the historical significance of this year’s mayoral election with two women vying for the mayor’s office. Biskupski also referenced the late former mayor Deedee Corradini, saying that Escamilla would again be a trailblazer. 

Notably, Biskupski acknowledged in her endorsement that it was “...not because she will lead in the same direction or manner that I have. I know there will be change; there has to be change. There is work to be done in this city. Today, I am endorsing Senator Luz Escamilla because I believe the change she will bring will improve the lives of everyone in Salt Lake City.”

Escamilla shared a story of her younger brother coming out as a gay man and the challenges he faced. She noted the importance of Salt Lake City electing Biskupski its first openly gay mayor to the LGBTQ community. 

Escamilla also discussed a number of comments she has encountered during the race, dismissing her viability due to her race, ethnicity, and nationality. Citing Salt Lake City’s values of inclusion and diversity, she asserted that those aspects of her identity would not hinder her candidacy, ending by claiming “in Salt Lake City, yes we can! Sí se puede!” 

Standing with Escamilla, Biskupski and Bradshaw, were other LGBTQ leaders and activists, including: longtime AIDS healthcare providers and advocates, Dr. Kristen Ries and Maggie Snyder; Biskupski’s wife Betty Iverson; Carol Gnade, former executive director of the Pride Center; Becky Moss, head of Utah Stonewall Democrats; attorney Danielle Hawkes; realtor Aaron Butler; and Ermiya Fanaeian, co-founder of March for Our Lives Utah.

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