WASHINGTON – Tonight, 9 Democratic presidential candidates are expected to take part in a CNN-televised town hall focusing on “LGBTQ issues” and co-hosted by the progressive Human Rights Campaign Foundation. Candidates scheduled to participate include front runners Elizabeth Warren and Joe Biden, as well as Pete Buttigieg, Kamala Harris, Cory Booker, Amy Klobuchar and others.

In advance of the event, Terry Schilling, executive director of American Principles Project, released the following statement:

Tonight, 2020 Democrats are likely to face a difficult quandary. On the one hand, in front of a progressive activist crowd and at an event aimed at advancing leftist ideas, the candidates will surely be tempted to stake out ever more extreme positions on cultural issues. If last month’s Iowa LGBT forum was any indication, we will hear numerous pledges to pass the so-called ‘Equality Act’ and repeal President Trump’s executive orders defending religious freedom and governing military service by people with gender dysphoria.

But in doing so, Democrats also risk alienating the large number of Americans who strongly disapprove of this agenda. Although progressive activists may cheer the destruction of women’s private spaces and women’s sports, the shutdown of religious charities, and the evisceration of private conscience protections, supporting these positions will assuredly prove a massive liability in next year’s election.

So which path will the candidates choose: surrender to their far left base or back away from LGBT extremism? Voters will be watching closely.

Earlier this week, APP’s Director of Family Policy Anna Anderson wrote an op-ed previewing the CNN town hall for The Federalist. You can read the full piece here.

To schedule an interview with an APP policy expert, contact Paul Dupont at (o) 202-503-2010 or pdupont@americanprinciplesproject.org.