HRC Endorses Kathleen Clyde, Rob Richardson and Zack Space for Ohio State Office

HRC announced its endorsement of Kathleen Clyde for Ohio Secretary of State, Rob Richardson for Ohio State Treasurer and Zack Space for Ohio State Auditor.

“As thousands of LGBTQ Ohioans remain at risk of discrimination, it is more important than ever that we elect pro-equality candidates up and down the ballot who are committed to protecting our state’s most vulnerable communities,” said HRC Ohio State Director Shawn Copeland. “Kathleen Clyde, Zack Space and Rob Richardson are incredible advocates for Ohio’s working families, who will work to ensure that every Ohioan is equally protected under state law. We are proud to endorse their candidacies and look forward to mobilizing our thousands of members and supporters across the Buckeye State to turn out for equality in November.”

State Representative Kathleen Clyde is running for Ohio Secretary of State. Clyde, a longtime advocate for accountability, transparency and the end of partisan gerrymandering, has been a strong ally to Ohio’s LGBTQ community since joining the Statehouse in 2011. She is a co-sponsor of the Ohio Fairness Act, crucial legislation that would bar discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in areas of employment, housing and public accommodations in Ohio. Clyde has also advocated fiercely on behalf of reproductive rights and will continue to fight for fairer, more equal elections as Secretary of State.

“The work HRC is doing in Ohio and across the country to promote equality is remarkable, and I am proud to have earned their endorsement,” said Kathleen Clyde. “I look forward to continuing the important work of making our state more welcoming for LGBT Ohioans and more attractive to entrepreneurs looking to start a business and create jobs in Ohio.”

Rob Richardson is running for Ohio Treasurer. He is committed to bringing efficiency and fiscal responsibility to the office of Treasurer, putting his constituents first, and ensuring that Ohio invests in companies and initiatives that support LGBTQ equality. A longtime vocal supporter of equality, Richardson will continue to promote more equitable outcomes for Ohio’s marginalized communities, as he works to strengthen the state’s economy as Treasurer.

“I’m immensely proud to receive the support and endorsement of the Human Rights Campaign,” said Rob Richardson. “Since their inception nearly four decades ago, HRC has fought tirelessly for justice and equality for the LGBTQ community. While we’ve made progress in recent years, we still have a long way to go. I’ve always been a fighter, and I will continue to fight and advocate for equal rights until all are treated equally under the law, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation.”

Former U.S. Representative Zack Space is running for Ohio State Auditor. Space has spent his career fighting for Ohio’s working families. While in Congress, Space voted to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, expand hate crimes protections to include the LGBTQ community, and to repeal the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” In November Space will be facing anti-equality extremist Congressman Keith Faber.

“I’m running for Auditor of State to rid our political system of the corrupting influences of money and partisan gerrymandering, and the extremism that they enable,” said Zack Space. “I’m proud to stand with the Human Rights Campaign to promote the fundamental right of every Ohioan to be afforded dignity, respect, and full equality by their fellow citizens and by their government.”

In Ohio, HRC has identified more than 1.8 million Equality Voters — voters who support LGBTQ-inclusive policies including marriage equality, equitable family law, and laws that would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. HRC has prioritized investments and organizing in Ohio in the 2018 cycle, and has staff and resources on the ground in the state. Last year, HRC announced a coast-to-coast campaign called HRC Rising, which represents the largest grassroots expansion in the organization’s 38-year history.

www.hrc.org/blog/hrc-endorses-kathleen-clyde-rob-richardson-and-zack-space-for-ohio?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Crush of the Month: Ali
One of the first things you’ll notice about Ali is her megawatt smile, and she’s got an energetic personality to match! There’s never a dull moment with this Crush of the Month. Ali is always on the go. She loves adventure, travel, working out, and searching out new restaurants with her pals in NYC. Ali’s […]

blog.match.com/2018/09/06/crush-of-the-month-ali/

Human Rights Campaign Announces Endorsement of Lauren Baer for U.S. Congress (FL-18)

HRC announced its endorsement of Lauren Baer (D) for U.S. Congress. An out and proud member of the LGBTQ community, Baer is running to replace Rep. Brian Mast (R) to represent the people of Florida’s 18th Congressional District.

“Lauren Baer is the clear choice for fair-minded voters and is committed to fighting for LGBTQ equality, individual liberty, and the rule of law,” said JoDee Winterhof, HRC Senior Vice President for Policy and Political Affairs. “Lauren will stand up each and every day in Congress for all of the hard-working families across her district — from Ft. Pierce to Palm Beach. HRC is proud to endorse Lauren Baer for U.S. Congress.”

“I am incredibly proud to receive the endorsement of the Human Rights Campaign, an organization that has been on the front lines in the fight for equality for LGBT Americans for decades,” said Lauren Baer. “I look forward to working with them in pursuit of our shared goal of a more equal and just society.”

Lauren Baer was raised in Florida’s 18th Congressional District and calls Palm Beach Gardens home with her wife, Emily, and young daughter, Serena. An attorney and foreign policy expert, Lauren served as an official in the Obama Administration from 2011-2017, acting as a senior advisor to two Secretaries of State and to the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. During her time in government, she was responsible for ensuring that the promotion of U.S. values remained central to foreign policy and advised on a range of critical national security issues related to human rights and international law. Lauren comes from a family of local business owners who taught her the value of a strong Florida economy and the importance of public service.

Across the state of Florida, HRC has identified nearly 700,000 LGBTQ voters and more than 3.2 million “Equality Voters” — meaning they are strong supporters of progressive LGBTQ policies including marriage equality, equitable family law, and laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Last year, HRC announced a coast-to-coast campaign to mobilize these voters for the midterm elections called HRC Rising, which represents the largest grassroots expansion in the organization’s 38-year history.

Tonight, Lauren Baer will also join HRC, Equality Florida, and the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council Voters Alliance for an event in West Palm Beach to talk about the importance of the race.

“Lauren Baer fully understands the problems facing people on the Treasure Coast.  In Washington, Lauren will advocate tirelessly, working for solutions,” said Judge Rand Hoch, President and Founder, Palm Beach County Human Rights Council. “We are proud to support an out LGBTQ candidate who has included her wife and daughter front and center in her campaign materials. As a pro-family candidate for federal office, Lauren Baer has been an amazing role model.  Imagine how inspirational she will be in Congress.”

www.hrc.org/blog/human-rights-campaign-announces-endorsement-of-lauren-baer-for-us-congres?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

HRC To Honor Academy Award-Winning Actress Anne Hathaway at 22nd Annual HRC National Dinner

Today, HRC announced that the organization will honor Academy Award-winning actress Anne Hathaway with the HRC National Equality Award at the 22nd annual HRC National Dinner next Saturday, September 15, 2018. As previously announced, the 47th Vice President of the United States Joe Biden will speak, as well as former Attorney General of the United States Eric Holder; trailblazing Virginia Delegate Danica Roem; and Nevada Secretary of State candidate Nelson Araujo. Earlier in the day, Stacey Abrams, the Democratic nominee for governor of Georgia, will address HRC members.

“Through her incredible talent and bold activism, Anne Hathaway uses her global platform to stand up for the LGBTQ community,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “From speaking out against discriminatory legislation targeting the LGBTQ community to her leadership on workplace equality for women, Anne is making a real difference in the lives of countless people around the globe. HRC is proud to honor Anne Hathaway with the HRC National Equality Award at our 22nd annual HRC National Dinner.”

Anne Hathaway has been a powerful voice in the fight for LGBTQ equality. In 2012, Anne and her husband, Adam Shulman, sold their wedding photos and donated proceeds to organizations working to achieve marriage equality. In 2016, as lawmakers in Georgia were considering the passage of a sweeping license to discriminate against LGBTQ people, Anne joined an HRC-led petition with actors and film studios in making clear they would take their film and television productions elsewhere if the governor signed the discriminatory legislation into law. In response, the governor vetoed the harmful legislation. In 2008, Anne told a crowd of HRC members and supporters in Los Angeles, “I don’t consider myself just an ally to the LGBT community, I consider myself your family. And so, I’m doing what we should all do with our families — I’m loving you, I support you, I completely accept you as you are, as I hope you do me, and if anyone ever tries to hurt you, I’m going to give them hell.”

Anne was most recently seen in the highly-regarded Warner Bros. Ocean’s Eight and will also star in The Hustle and Serenity – both soon to be released. In 2012, Anne starred as “Fantine” in Tom Hooper’s screen adaptation of the musical phenomenon, Les Misérables, a role that garnered Academy, Golden Globe, SAG and BAFTA Awards for “Best Actress”. In 2008, she was nominated for an Academy Award, Golden Globe, and SAG Award for her performance in Jonathan Demme’s critically acclaimed Rachel Getting Married. The National Board of Review, Chicago Film Critics Association, and the Broadcast Film Critics Association all named Anne “Best Actress” in this role. She received an Emmy Award for her television voice-over in the Simpsons. A veteran of the theatre, Anne appeared in the Lincoln Center Encore series presentation of Carnival, for which she won the prestigious 57^th Annual Clarence Derwent Award.

Anne was appointed as UN Women’s Global Ambassador in 2016, where she works with the UN Women to foster more positive mindsets and practical arrangements around workplaces that build and support equality for women. She also serves on the advisory board for Lollipop Theater Network, which is an organization that screens movies in hospitals for pediatric patients suffering from chronic or life-threatening illness. She also recently began working at The Nike Foundation’s “Girl Effect”.

The 22nd annual HRC National Dinner will take place at the Washington Convention Center and is expected to draw more 3,500 guests from across the country and around the world. More information is available at www.hrcnationaldinner.org.

www.hrc.org/blog/hrc-to-honor-academy-award-winning-actress-anne-hathaway-at-national-dinner?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed