WASHINGTON - Today, Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese sent the following letter to two Wyoming Republican state representatives who have spoken out recently in support of equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans.

A special thanks to Pam Spaulding and Michael Petrelis for bringing this story to light.

The text of Solmonese's letter to Wyoming Reps. Dan Zwonitzer and Pat Childers follows:

State Representative Dan Zwonitzer
521 Cottonwood Drive
Cheyenne, WY 82001

State Representative Pat Childers
26 Equine Drive
Cody, WY 82414

Dear Representative Zwonitzer and Representative Childers:

Let me first start by saying how fortunate Wyoming, and our country, are to have both of you as public servants. The leadership you have shown in the last few days is commended by all fair-minded Americans.

What struck me as most poignant about your recent comments, regarding the inequities faced by gay and lesbian families, is the personal sincerity with which you made them. Your moving convictions surely opened the hearts and minds of many of your constituents, not to mention the thousands of Americans who needed to hear your personal testimony to help them guide their own way toward equality.

It is only appropriate that such courageous leadership would come from our nation's prairie country, a place far away from the divisive and discouraging politics of Washington, D.C.

Again, I wanted to personally thank both of you for standing up for what is right and appealing to the best in all of us. Too often, our elected officials choose to take an alternate route.

As Wyomingites, you understand that true leadership takes grit and courage. On behalf of more than 650,000 Human Rights Campaign members and supporters nationwide, we thank you.

Sincerely,
Joe Solmonese
President
Human Rights Campaign

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