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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

Thursday, May 28, 2026

Webinar // 12:00 PM — 1:00 PM

Navigating Our Future: Launch of the NHPI Social Determinants of Health Dashboard

Join us on Thursday, May 28, as the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) Data Policy Lab unveils the new and improved Social Determinants of Health dashboard, featuring detailed data on NHPI health and factors that shape health across all 58 California counties.

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