Hillary Clinton Stops By HRC’s South Carolina Field Office

Earlier today, Hillary Clinton surprised HRC volunteers with an impromptu visit to our field office in Charleston, South Carolina. Staff and volunteers have been in Charleston and Columbia working hard to get out the pro-equality vote in the Palmetto State ahead of Saturday’s Democratic Primary election. Clinton thanked everyone for their hard work in trying to elect her as our next pro-equality champion in the White House.

Over the weekend, HRC President Chad Griffin was also on the ground to phone bank and speak on Hillary Clinton’s behalf at the Charleston County Democratic Party dinner. In an interview with ABC, Griffin shared, “Whether it’s African Americans, or Latinos, or LGBT, or women — the support is with Hillary Clinton because she’s been our partner fighting with us for decades.”

HRC’s efforts in South Carolina are part of an unprecedented, organizational effort to register and mobilize HRC supporters and members by phone-banking and door-knocking in key early states like Iowa, New Hampshire, and Nevada. In 2016, the pro-equality vote will undoubtedly be larger, stronger, and more energized than ever. Exit polls show that in 2012 at least six million LGB Americans voted in an election decided by less than five million votes. Furthermore, in key states today like Ohio, North Carolina, and Florida, the population of LGBT adults is greater than the average margin of victory in the last three presidential elections.

With so much progress on LGBT equality under President Obama’s leadership, a lot is at stake this year. Hillary Clinton is the pro-equality champion we need to take on any of the anti-LGBT candidates running for their party’s nomination this November, and lead us in the fight for full federal equality from day one in the White House.

HRC announced its endorsement of Clinton last month at a campaign event in Des Moines, Iowa.

Above: HRC supporters rally for Hillary Clinton outside the CNN Presidential Town Hall at the University of South Carolina in Columbia.

Above: HRC President Chad Griffin at the South Carolina office. 

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Ahead of March 1 Deadline, South Dakota Gov. Meets with Transgender People About Transphobic Bill

Yesterday, South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard met with three transgender people, including two students, before making his decision on whether to sign HB 1008 – outrageous legislation that would prevent trans students in public schools from using restrooms and other facilities consistent with their gender identity.

According to The Argus Leader, the meeting helped the Governor “put a human face” to the impact of HB 1008.

“It helped me see things through their eyes a little better and see more of their perspective,” Daugaard told the paper.

Kendra Heathscott, a transgender woman who knew the governor from her time at the Children’s Home Society, felt the meeting was a good step in educating Daugaard.

“You could tell that he’s gone out of his way to get educated about transgender folks,” Heathscott said. “He has the same strong heart that I was aware of when I was younger.”

Yesterday, HRC joined with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the ACLU of South Dakota, Believe Out Loud and Reconciling Ministries, Freedom for All Americans, the National Center for Transgender Equality, and the Transgender Law Center to deliver over 80,000 petition signatures to Daugaard urging him to veto HB 1008. The governor has until March 1 to sign or veto the bill.

Additionally, HRC delivered approximately 14,000 petitions urging South Dakota State Senator David Omdahl to retract his outrageous anti-transgender comments.

“With one stroke of his pen, Gov. Daugaard can veto this bill and stop this reckless legislation,” HRC Regional Field Director Hope Errico Wisneski said.

While South Dakota would be the first state in the nation to pass legislation attacking transgender people, anti-LGBT lawmakers in other states are pursuing similar legislation. In total, 44 anti-transgender bills — including 23 bills targeting children’s’ access to restrooms and sports programs — are pending across 16 states.

To learn more, visit HRC’s recent report, Anti-Transgender Legislation Spreads Nationwide, Bills Targeting Transgender Children Surge.

Photo c/o Jay Pickthorn

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