Shreveport Mayoral Candidates Attended LGBTQ Forum
Six mayoral candidates participated in a city forum hosted by an LGBTQ advocacy organization.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in LGBTQand
Live Poll
Do you believe local mayoral candidates should prioritize attending forums hosted by advocacy groups?
Six candidates running for mayor in Shreveport gathered for a community forum hosted by the group People Acting for Change and Equality. Incumbent Mayor Tom Arceneaux was invited to the event but did not attend.
Why it matters
The forum offered a dedicated platform for voters to hear from candidates regarding specific challenges impacting the local LGBTQ community alongside broader city concerns.
A total of six candidates out of the seven currently running for mayor attended the event. The forum featured these individuals answering questions from the public regarding city infrastructure and services.
The players
Tom Arceneaux
He is the incumbent Mayor of Shreveport who chose not to attend the candidate forum.
People Acting for Change and Equality
This is an LGBTQ advocacy organization that hosted the mayoral forum for local candidates.
The details
Candidates Sia Ravari, Tammy Phelps, Chaunta Mero, Michael Williams, John-Paul Young, and Stormy Gage-Watts participated in the discussion, which addressed citywide infrastructure, basic services, and public safety. The session provided a venue for residents to engage with prospective leadership on how their policies might affect the LGBTQ community in Shreveport.
Timeline
September 27, 2026: The mayoral forum hosted by PACE took place.
October 20, 2026: The early voting period begins for the election.
October 27, 2026: The early voting period concludes.
November 3, 2026: Election Day for the mayoral race.
Culture Shift
This event reflects the broader trend of increased engagement between municipal candidates and local LGBTQ advocacy groups in Louisiana. The forum demonstrates a shift toward more inclusive campaign outreach strategies as candidates vie for a diverse voter base.
The forum provides voters with direct insight into how each candidate plans to handle infrastructure and safety concerns before they cast their ballots. Residents should prepare for the upcoming election schedule to ensure they participate in the early voting or Election Day process.
The takeaway
Voters now have a clearer understanding of candidate priorities regarding the LGBTQ community and city services. Residents can utilize the upcoming voting windows to ensure their voices are represented in the final election results.
Further reading
For more information on local civic events, see the LGBTQand section.
Live Poll
Do you believe local mayoral candidates should prioritize attending forums hosted by advocacy groups?
