
CA State Asm. Carl DeMaio speaks out against controversial language in the LGBT Pride Resolution. (Photo: Asm. Carl DeMaio)
California Democrat Leader Repeatedly Interrupts Gay GOP Assemblyman During Contentious Pride Month Resolution
DeMaio was challenging caustic rhetoric in the Assembly Pride Month Resolution
By Evan Symon, June 24, 2025 6:30 pm
Assemblyman Carl DeMaio (R-San Diego) was interrupted numerous times during what was supposed to be his five minutes of uninterrupted speech time on a LGBT Pride month resolution on Monday, with several Democrats, led by Assemblyman Josh Lowenthal (D- Long Beach) attempting and failing to stop him.
DeMaio, the first openly gay Republican elected to the Assembly, wanted to speak out against House Resolution 43, which celebrated LGBT pride month in California. While DeMaio wasn’t against Pride Month in general, he did find issues with it mentioning anti-transgender issues. In recent years, trans issues, like allowing trans athletes to participate in sports with their transitioned gender, have been divisive. This has not only been seen in political parties, with Governor Gavin Newsom recently breaking away from majority Democratic thought on the issue of trans athletes, but also through the LGBT community itself.
Assemblyman DeMaio was particularly concerned with language in HR 43 that went after people that wanted to limit transgender participation in sports and other areas because of it being an unfair advantage. He previously attempted to change the language of HR 43 a few weeks earlier, but was subsequently ignored by the authors.
“The aforementioned anti-LGBTQ+ bills disproportionately target TGI people and include efforts to prohibit access to lifesaving gender-affirming health care, prevent TGI youth from playing school sports alongside their friends, erase TGI identities from vital records and state driver’s licenses, ban books that include TGI people and history, prohibit TGI people from using restrooms and facilities in accordance with their gender identity, and criminalize TGI people who bravely embrace their authentic selves amid rising hostility,” read the resolution.
As DeMaio used his time to criticize the resolution for being “inflammatory” and “dishonest”, and not wanting it to stoke even further division, Democratic leadership attempted to stop him by giving birthday announcements of all things.
“Sorry, I have a very important announcement today,” said Assemblyman Lowenthal. “Mr. Juan Carrillo, I understand it’s your birthday today. Members, will you join me in wishing Mr. Carrillo a very happy birthday today? Wishing you many happy returns, Mr. Carrillo. Enjoy your day.”
A few minutes later, Lowenthal gave another.
“Members, you’ll have to forgive me, but on Thursday last week, I forgot it was Damon Connolly’s birthday,” added Lowenthal. “We love you, Mr. Connolly. We love you so much.”
Lowenthal the childish interrupter
However, Assemblyman DeMaio remained undeterred.
“Look, all the interruptions don’t change the fact that this resolution lets down the LGBT community,” pointed out DeMaio.
And then, with a minute left, a third interruption.
“Members, I’m unsure if you’re aware, but tomorrow is Mr. Gipson’s birthday. Can you all join me in wishing Mr. Gipson a very, very happy birthday? Happy birthday, Mr. Gipson,” continued Lowenthal.
At this point, DeMaio did wrap up, but also called out Lowenthal and others for being childish and undignified.
“If anyone had any questions as to whether this is political theater and circus, all you had to do is watch the interruptions for birthdays,” said DeMaio. “Notwithstanding the fact that we celebrate your birthdays, but I think California voters of all stripes, Democrats and Republicans understand what I’m saying today is true. This is not about affirming the LGBT community. It’s about using them as a political pawn to divide us.”
On Tuesday, DeMaio spoke out further about the incident even noting that many Democrats were actually embarrassed about what Lowenthal did and apologized to him.
“I think what you saw was a bunch of bullying and harassment and it shows Democrats don’t want to hear a different point of view,” explained DeMaio on Tuesday. “We wanted to bring everyone together, so they don’t have a case to make as to why their behavior was legitimate or warranted.
“I won’t name the Democrats, but I had a number of Democrats reach out apologizing, saying it was disgraceful, that they were embarrassed.”
As of Tuesday evening, Lowenthal has yet to comment on the incident. However, the interruptions have appeared to have backfired on Lowenthal’s part, as DeMaio has received apologies from many Democrats on the incident, with virtually all Republicans in the Assembly backing up their colleague as well, specifically pointing out Lowenthal’s repeated attempts at drowning out and throwing DeMaio off about an important issue.
How shameful that Democrat Assemblyman Josh Lowenthal, who is in a heterosexual marriage with three kids, acted like an abusive bully in denying openly gay Republican Assemblyman Carl DeMaio his five minutes of uninterrupted speech time. It sounds like a hate-crime? It’s ironic that Josh Lowenthal is a member of the Democrat Legislative Jewish Caucus that supposedly focuses on addressing issues such as antisemitism and hate crimes.
During during his 2018 campaign for the State Assembly, Josh Lowenthal played the victim and he accused his opponent, Tyler Diep, of using anti-Semitic imagery targeting Lowenthal in his mailers. Diep’s campaign denied allegations of trying to Lowenthal as being stereotypically Jewish with a large nose. Maybe California Globe should have included a mug shot of Josh Lowenthal who has a prominent nose?
Democrat Assemblyman Josh Lowenthal, the pampered and privileged son of Democrat politicians Bonnie and Alan Lowenthal, is now acting like a bully who tries to silence anyone who dares to disagree with him. It was bad if even some Assembly Democrats were embarrassed by Lowenthal?
Aren’t there rules against interrupting the person speaking?
If there are no consequences for breaking a rule, why have the rule in the first place.
Republicans should learn from the Democrat’s behavior and adopt the same. When a Democrat has the the floor for an uninterrupted speech time, all Republicans should stand and sing the Star Spangled Banner followed by God Bless America and Happy Birthday, until the five minutes concludes.
Disgusting. Normally, the threat of discipline from the Speaker would check stupid behavior like this, but this Speaker ordered this to happen.
Again, the democrats in CA are a bunch of clowns and they need to be reminded of that!!!!!
As usual, these Dem assembly members with their rude, attention-getting “birthday wish” interruptions act like 12 year olds who need a babysitter. Can we acquire some adults in the legislature next time around, maybe? Really really really hope so. Aggghh
Perhaps the democrat is simply exhibiting school girl attention toward a person he secretly admires.
Perhaps! Ha
Once again the Democrats prove that their “diversity and inclusion” mantra is pure BS. They demand absolute conformity to their ideological orthodoxy. Especially when it comes to the Rainbow ABC stuff….and for them, it’s possible to be the “wrong” sort of Rainbow Person such as in the example described above.