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LGBTQ People and Gun Violence: Threats and Strategies to Promote Safety

LGBTQ people are less likely to own guns than non-LGBTQ people, but may be at greater risk of gun-related mortality. In examining more precise demographic data from the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS), researchers see that risk and fear of gun victimization is not uniform across the LGBTQ population.

On Thursday, June 13, we hosted a discussion with a panel of experts and advocates on how to address vulnerabilities and support communities in living well.

During the webinar, the panelists presented information about risk factors such as mental health, intimate partner violence, and gun access and contextualized the discussion about these data in relation to hate and inequality. They also discussed actions that individuals and organizations can take to promote safety and well-being for LGBTQ people, particularly LGBTQ people of color.

Break-out groups — organized around the interests of panel attendees — followed the panel.

Moderator

Refujio “Cuco” Rodriguez (he/him)
Chief Strategist and Equity Officer
Hope and Heal Fund

Panelists

Kerith Conron (she/her)
Blachford-Cooper Distinguished Scholar and Research Director
Williams Institute, UCLA School of Law

Kate Reese (she/her)
Research Associate
Everytown for Gun Safety

Mallery Jenna Robinson (she/her)
Former Associate Program Director
Equality California

Gabriella Rodriguez (she/her/ella)
Executive Director
QLatinx

Speakers

Refujio “Cuco” Rodriguez

Refujio “Cuco” Rodriguez

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Kerith Conron

Kerith Conron

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Mallery Jenna Robinson

Mallery Jenna Robinson

Gabriella Rodriguez

Gabriella Rodriguez

Kate Reese

Kate Reese

Upcoming Events

Monday, November 16, 2026

Training // 2:00 PM — 4:00 PM

CHIS Data User Training for Legislative Staff and Government Agencies

Join us on Monday, November 16, for a special California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) Data User Training in Sacramento, designed for legislative, policy, and government agency staff. 

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Tuesday, November 17, 2026

// 9:00 AM — 4:00 PM

2026 E.R. Brown Symposium — Nourishing the Future: Reimagining Nutrition Security in an Era of Change

Join us on Tuesday, November 17, for the 2026 E.R. Brown Symposium, Nourishing the Future: Reimagining Nutrition Security in an Era of Change, being held in person in Sacramento. This full-day event features an exciting lineup of speakers working to improve food and nutrition security in the state and includes conversations on protecting food and nutrition in a changing climate, priorities and policy asks for Food as Medicine, strengthening safety net programs, and support for students. Register for this free symposium.

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Tuesday, December 08, 2026

Training Webinar // 12:00 PM — 1:30 PM

California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) Data User Training

Join us on Tuesday, December 8, for the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) Data User Training. This webinar is free and open to the public.

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