Washington– Today the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) – the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization – announced the endorsement of Massachusetts state Representative Carl Sciortino running for the U.S. House in Massachusetts’ 5^th District.  Sciortino has been a leading voice on LGBT equality, and he authored the bill that added gender identity and expression to the state’s employment, housing and hate crimes laws in 2012.  Carl’s hard work and tenacity are key reasons the bill finally became law.

 During the first legislative battles to roll back marriage equality in Massachusetts—the first state to recognize such unions legally—Carl Sciortino’s election to and leadership in the legislature were key reasons why marriage equality remains the law of the land in the Bay State.  Sciortino, who is openly gay, was first elected to the state House in 2004 by defeating a Democrat in the primary who opposed marriage equality; prior to that Carl worked at Fenway Health, one of New England’s leading HIV/AIDS organizations.

 “Carl Sciortino is a proven leader who will be an effective advocate for equality in Congress. His leadership has shown that he will stand up for all Americans and ensure that all of his constituents are accepted and welcomed as part of the American family,” said Marty Rouse, HRC’s National Field Director and the former campaign director of MassEquality.

“I first ran for office at the height of the marriage debates in Massachusetts in 2004, and beat an anti-equality incumbent in the Primary,” said Sciortino. “In the state legislature I fought to kill the gay marriage ban, authored the Transgender Equal Rights law, and am running to continue the fight in Congress. I am proud to have the endorsement of the Human Rights Campaign which shares the same values on these important issues.”

 Carl Sciortino has served in the Massachusetts state legislator nine years, and currently lives in Medford with his partner, Pem. He is running for the House seat vacated by Rep. Ed Markey, who will be sworn in as the next U.S. Senator from Massachusetts and is another committed supporter of LGBT equality.  The election will be held this fall.

 The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

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