Statement of GLAD Executive Director Janson Wu:

On behalf of GLAD, I am thrilled to congratulate both Equality California and Tony Hoang on the announcement of Tony as the organization’s next Executive Director. Under the leadership of Tony as Managing Director and outgoing Executive Director Rick Chavez Zbur, Equality California played a vital role in the successful effort to overturn the transgender military ban over the past 3+ years and we are grateful to have had the organization’s partnership in that critical fight. Tony’s seasoned experience leading efforts to pass state civil rights legislation and implement groundbreaking public education campaigns, his experience as the son of Vietnam War refugees, and his passion and understanding for addressing the intersections of identity and structural inequality make him well positioned as a leader to meet this moment in our movement for justice. We wish Rick all the best as he prepares to move on to his next role and look forward to working with Tony and the entire team at Equality California to continue advancing equity and lived equality for everyone in the LGBTQ+ community across the country.