2024 in Review: 7 Questions for Equality California Political Director Shay Franco-Clausen

Edward Henderson | California Black MediaShay Franco-Clausen (Facebook) Equality California Political DirectorShay Franco-Clausen is Political Director for Equality California, the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization.A resident of the Bay Area, Franco-Clausen is an award-winning public advocate, speaker, political strategist and former elected official. She has contributed her thought leadership to drafting seventeen pieces of legislation in California. Notable among these accomplishments is her role in extending the statute of limitations for felony domestic violence survivors, advocating for the rights of foster youth, preserving endangered open spaces, and championing the restoration of voting rights for individuals on parole.Shay has spent the last 14 years serving on many local, county and state boards, political action committees and commissions, centered on criminal justice, LGBTQ and reproductive rights, gender-based violence and environmental protections.California Black Media (CBM) spoke with Franco-Clausen about her successes, frustrations and future plans heading into 2025.Looking back at 2024, what stands out to you as your most important achievement and why?& In the role that I sit in as the political director for Equality California, we endorsed 216 candidates. I think the one achievement after this election that I’m proud of is that we overturned Prop 8 to protect...