Editor’s note: Candidates for political office are permitted two opinion pieces per month on SDGLN. Their views do not necessarily reflect those of SDGLN.

As a candidate for San Diego County Board of Supervisors, I enjoy talking with voters and answering questions.

Typically, our discussions are about creating jobs, improving fire services, and saving our community grants from abuse as political slush funds.

Additionally, in my home area of North Park/Hillcrest, people voice concerns important to the LGBT community. We discuss marriage equality, HIV funding, and repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” In short, people are eager to know, “When will we have full equality?”

We move toward equality more quickly when we elect LGBT leaders to office. The LGBT Victory Fund, an organization working to elect LGBT candidates regardless of political party, reminds us that, “No piece of LGBT legislation has ever passed without a member of the LGBT community at the table.”

This is not because we lack straight allies or because LGBT politicians are better at what they do. It’s because having a seat at the table immediately changes priorities and perceptions.

Allowing discrimination to continue is easier when it doesn't directly affect you. When no one holds politicians accountable, they can claim to support the LGBT community and still never take action. Some officials who have never advanced an LGBT issue consider themselves “allies” simply because they are not homophobic. That is a low bar to set, and we can do better.

By electing LGBT officials, we get a seat at the table where our issues will never be ignored. Our presence emboldens our allies to stand up stronger for equality, as Mayor Jerry Sanders did for same-sex marriage, and as U.S. Rep. Susan Davis has for repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

San Diego’s own progression toward equality is proof of the power of electing LGBT officials. Two decades ago, San Diego was considered a socially conservative city, silent or worse on LGBT issues. That changed after Christine Kehoe was elected to a seat on the City Council in 1993, becoming the first of several LGBT politicians elected in San Diego, including Toni Atkins, Todd Gloria and Carl DeMaio.

Thanks to their presence and hard work, the City of San Diego is now on record in support of marriage equality and the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” and we host one of America’s largest Pride celebrations.

The County of San Diego lags far behind. No LGBT candidate has ever been elected to the County Board of Supervisors, and no pro-LGBT policies have ever been enacted.

In fact, a simple LGBT commission proposal was voted down. Despite being responsible for granting marriage licenses, the County Board of Supervisors took no stance on Proposition 8. The board also passed up millions in federal money that could have helped the members of our community fight HIV and AIDS.

It is time for us to have a seat at that table, too. We need a real voice for our community on the County Board of Supervisors.