Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, impressed the committee with his detailed policies for protecting LGBTQ youth in schools and ending the HIV epidemic by 2030.

“When we had the combination of an LGBTQ candidate who had the most comprehensive and boldest policy agenda, and was also viable ... it was an easy decision,” said Rick Zbur, Equality California's executive director.

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Every Democratic candidate had the opportunity to fill out a survey from the groups. Amy Klobuchar is the only major candidate who did not participate, said Samuel Garrett-Pate, a spokesman for the groups. Buttigieg, Steyer and Warren then participated in lengthy interviews with the endorsement committee.

All three had LGBTQ policy platforms that would be the most progressive for any president in history, Zbur said. But Buttigieg stood out for the depth of his plans on such issues as funding programs that can help stop the transmission of and deaths from HIV and teacher training and mentorship programs in schools to provide support for LGBTQ youth. Zbur said Buttigieg's criminal justice plan, which included plans to protect transgender people, stood out as well.