Human Rights Campaign Endorses Hillary Clinton for President

Today, the nation's largest LGBT rights organization, Human Rights Campaign (HRC), endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton for the 2016 race. In the past, HRC has endorsed Barack Obama, John Kerry, and Al Gore in their bids for the White House. Clinton plans to formally accept the endorsement this Sunday in Iowa, alongside HRC President Chad Griffin.

From Senator to Secretary of State to Presidential Candidate, Hillary Clinton is a proven champion for #LGBT equality. HRC is proud to announce its support for Hillary Clinton for President. Read more at www.hrc.org/hrc. #StandWithHRC #Hillary2016 #Equality #LGBTQ #2016PresidentialElection

A photo posted by Human Rights Campaign (@humanrightscampaign) on Jan 19, 2016 at 4:20am PST

In a statement issued by the organization, Griffin explains:

"All the progress we have made as a nation on LGBT equality--and all the progress we have yet to make--is at stake in November. In most states, LGBT people are still at risk of being fired, evicted or denied services simply because of who they are. Today, 63 percent of LGBT Americans report having experienced such discrimination, and we are seeing other troubling trends, from the onslaught of state and local anti-LGBT measures to the national scourge of anti-transgender violence to backsliding on HIV/AIDS prevention and youth homelessness. Against this backdrop, we've heard the leading Republican presidential candidates repeatedly threaten to block our progress, and to revoke, repeal, and overturn the gains we've made during President Obama's two terms.

"While they fight to take us backwards, Hillary Clinton is fighting to advance LGBT equality across our nation and throughout the world. 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."

Clinton has been a vocal ally of the LGBT community, throwing her political weight behind marriage equality, anti-discrimination protections, and an end to conversion therapy. In 2011, she gave a historic speech at the United Nations building in Geneva, powerfully asserting that gay rights are human rights, echoing her landmark 1995 speech on women's rights. Since launching her presidential campaign, LGBT issues and people have featured prominently.

Watch HRC's announcement video: