The CNN Equality Town Hall meme stems from the 2019 televised event focused on LGBTQ+ issues featuring various Democratic presidential candidates. The template gained traction as a way to frame hyperbolic or controversial statements as if they were being presented at a formal, high-stakes public forum. Users often use the professional backdrop and the serious atmosphere of the town hall to contrast with absurd or trivial 'hot takes,' making the speaker look like they are passionately defending a ridiculous point of view. It serves as a versatile tool for social commentary, satire, and irony-laden internet humor where any niche opinion can be given the weight of a national broadcast.