CNN hosted a first of its kind town hall on prime time television devoted specifically to issues facing the LGBTQ community Thursday evening.

Nine Democratic candidates answered questions from a live audience while viewers around the country attended watch parties like the one at Kobalt on Central Avenue in Phoenix.

Phoenix business owner Jeffery Perales said he wanted to be among his community while hearing what the candidates had to say, but thought the evening was beneficial for the straight community as well. "Because for some people this is their first time seeing the candidates’ views on gay and lesbian issues and voicing their opinions on public policy as it relates to the gay community," Perales said. 

Perales said he was glad to hear a mainstream discussion of important issues like the dangers faced by the trans community.

Like many at the event, he’s still undecided on which candidate to support.

Self-described political junkie Megan Averell said seeing the issues that she’s dealt with on a personal level being discussed on a national stage brought tears to her eyes.

“It’s almost disbelief," Averell said. "I think they are tears that have welled up in me of both joy, relief and also just long unacknowledged pain.”