KINGSTON, N.Y. -- Democrats running in the race for New York's 19th Congressional District came together to speak to the Hudson Valley's LGBTQ community in a forum on Thursday.

The group of congressional hopefuls spoke on a number of issues, but the main focus was how the candidates will work for members of the LGBTQ community.

All seven Democratic candidates were at the event in Kingston, vying for a chance to ultimately take on Congressman John Faso.

"There was a time maybe a decade ago where that actually showing up at a forum like this for candidates was a liability," said executive director of the Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center Jeff Rindler. "Now it's an asset and that's because the LGBTQ community is a political force."

The Democratic primary in the New York 19 race will be held on Tuesday.