"I never saw myself as a politician. That changed through his work with Born Perfect and when Nadler announced his retirement. Shurka founded Born Perfect in 2014 with the National Center for Lesbian Rights to end conversion therapy across the nation through legislation, court action, and raising awareness."
"During his time with Born Perfect, which he left last year, he traveled to every state in the nation and helped pass laws, executive orders, or regulations to protect young people from conversion therapy in 27 states and more than 120 municipalities. He saw the differences in various states, which he says would be an asset to him as a member of Congress."
"There's geography differences. There's cultural differences. I always like to say a Democrat in Hawaii is not the same as a Democrat in New Hampshire. This perspective comes from his nationwide work understanding diverse state and cultural contexts."
Mathew Shurka, 37, is a gay activist and cofounder of Born Perfect, an organization dedicated to ending conversion therapy nationwide. He is running for the Democratic nomination in Manhattan's 12th Congressional District, the most heavily LGBTQ+ district in the nation, following Jerry Nadler's retirement after 30 years representing the seat. Through Born Perfect, Shurka helped pass protective legislation, executive orders, or regulations in 27 states and over 120 municipalities. His experience navigating different state and cultural contexts informs his congressional campaign. Though he never envisioned himself as a politician, Nadler's retirement announcement prompted him to pursue the position.
Read at Advocate.com
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