Hillary Clinton on Tuesday nabbed the endorsement of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest LGBT rights organization, edging out her two Democratic primary rivals who also boast strong records on equality.
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HRC President Chad Griffin, who worked as a junior aide in Bill Clinton’s White House, said all of the progress the US has made on equality over the past seven years under President Barack Obama-from the end of “don’t ask, don’t tell” to Obama’s support for nationwide marriage equality-and future gains are at stake in November’s election. “We are proud to endorse Hillary Clinton for president, and believe that she is the champion we can count on in November – and every day she occupies the Oval Office”.
HRC released a video along with their endorsement.
In a statement following the endorsement, Hillary Clinton acknowledged that progress still is needed because many LGBT Americans continue to face discrimination in housing, education, health care and the workplace. It follows with similar images of other GOP contenders, and then displays clips of those candidates making pubic comments against same-sex marriage and LGBT rights.
The group said its board of directors voted unanimously to support the former secretary of State. As secretary of state, she declared to the United Nations that “gay rights are human rights”.
Like many elected officials, Clinton’s views on LGBT rights and same-sex marriage, specifically, have evolved over the years. “Together, we can and will make our country – and our world – more just, fair, and equal for generations to come”. Others who’ve declared support for her are Jim Obergefell, the lead plaintiff in the lawsuit that brought marriage equality to entire nation, and Jimmy LaSalvia, who founded the gay conservative GOProud and has since bolted the Republican Party.
HRC’s endorsement criteria include support for issues of concern to the community, demonstrated leadership on LGBT issues, and viability. Clinton, Senator Bernie Sanders and Martin O’Malley provided answers, while no Republican candidates for president returned HRC’s questionnaire.
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None of the 12 Republican Presidential candidate have backed proposed LGBT rights protections, and HRC says none replied to requests for LGBT policy information. And as a senator, Clinton repeatedly co-sponsored the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), which at the time would have barred discrimination against employees on the basis of sexual orientation.
