DETROIT — On Friday, July 27, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, announced its endorsement of Gretchen Driskell for U.S. House in Michigan's 7th Congressional District.
"Gretchen Driskell is a dedicated leader and proven champion for LGBTQ equality," said HRC Michigan State Director Amritha Venkataraman. "She will fight for every Michigander's right to live and work free from discrimination and harassment. HRC proudly endorses her candidacy to represent the people of Michigan's 7th Congressional District. We look forward to mobilizing our thousands of members and supporters across the district to turn out for equality in November, and to working with Gretchen Driskell in the ongoing fight for full federal equality."
"I am honored to once again earn the endorsement of the Human Rights Campaign," said Driskell. "All of Michigan's hardworking families deserve the same shot at a good quality of life — period. Our diversity makes us a great state, and I look forward to continuing to work with HRC to ensure our laws protect each of our neighbors equally and stop policies that move our state and country backward."
A former state representative and mayor, Gretchen Driskell has had a long career serving the people of Michigan. While in office, she fought to prevent restrictions on same-sex adoption and remains committed to moving equality forward in Michigan and nationwide. Driskell supports marriage equality and the Equality Act, federal legislation that would guarantee comprehensive protections for LGBTQ people under U.S. civil rights laws.
Driskell is hoping to unseat incumbent Rep. Tim Walberg. He scored a zero on HRC's most recent Congressional Scorecard, which measures members of Congress' support for LGBTQ equality and policies. He has consistently worked to undermine progress, co-sponsoring the First Amendment Defense Act and opposing an amendment in support of a ban on employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity by federal contractors.
In Michigan, HRC has identified more than 1.1 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 Michigan in the 2018 cycle, and has put 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.
For more information about the Human Rights Campaign go to their website here.
