The research document marks the Human Rights Campaign’s first effort to chronicle where potential 2016 presidential candidates stand on LGBT equality. The document, which will be hosted at hrc.org/2016RepublicanFacts, will serve as an online resource for documenting the record and rhetoric of potential 2016 GOP presidential candidates, and where they stand on key LGBT issues. Cruz is among the first tier of candidates to be released by HRC.

 “Sen Ted Cruz has made his opposition to LGBT equality clear, whether it’s his willingness to push for a constitutional amendment against marriage, or his opposition to ENDA, which would protect LGBT Americans from workplace discrimination,” said Jodee Winterhof, HRC’s VP for Policy and Political Affairs. “Given his history, Ted Cruz needs to explain whether he’s planning to roll back President Obama’s executive order that protects workers millions of workers from discrimination.”

Salon recently reported, “President Obama last year exercised his authority as the federal government’s chief executive by issuing an order barring federal agencies and contractors from discriminating against employees on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity… the executive order applied to 24,000 companies with an estimated 28 million workers, approximately 20 percent of the U.S. labor force….just as Obama wielded his power to ban employment discrimination, his successor could use his or hers to overturn his order.”

Download the full research report here. The website hrc.org/2016RepublicanFacts highlights the public statements of candidates on key issues including: positions on marriage equality, support for anti-discrimination bills, positions on dangerous conversion therapy, history of harmful rhetoric and positions on allowing LGBT couples to adopt. As candidates evolve and expand their positions on LGBT issues, (and as the field changes) this research will be updated to take into account their most recent publicly available statements. Additions, questions and suggestions can be sent to 2016research@hrc.org

Highlights on Where Cruz Stands:

Overview: Whether the issue is marriage or protection from discrimination, Sen. Ted Cruz has consistently opposed equality for LGBT Americans. And he’s gone even further, attacking fellow Republicans for marching in pride parades, and using his opposition to marriage to win his first Senate campaign. [Citations/Full Research Brief]

On Marriage Equality: Ted Cruz led the charge to deny Texas couples marriage equality. In the Senate, he has supported a constitutional amendment that would prevent the federal government from recognizing marriage equality. [Citations/Full Research Brief]

On LGBT Discrimination: Cruz has consistently opposed granting protections to LGBT Americans. Cruz has opposed both local ordinances in Texas that would protect LGBT Americans, and ENDA’s explicit federal workplace protections.  [Citations/Full Research Brief]

On Conversion Therapy: Cruz has refused to speak out against “conversion therapy” that coerces minors into “treatment” that can lead to depression and suicide. [Citations/Full Research Brief]

HarmfulRhetoric: Cruz has no problem about using equality as a wedge issue against fellow Republicans – he’s attacked Republicans for appearing in pride parades and suggested that he believes being gay is a “choice.” He even bragged about intervening in a case to stop a civil union. [DownloadFull Research Brief]

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. HRC envisions a world where LGBT people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.

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