HRC announced the endorsements of U.S. Reps. Joyce Beatty, Marcy Kaptur, Marcia Fudge and Tim Ryan for reelection. 

In 2019, Reps. Joyce Beatty, Marcy Kaptur, Marcia Fudge and Tim Ryan signed on as co-sponsors of the Equality Act -- crucial federal legislation that would finally guarantee explicit, permanent protections for LGBTQ people under our nation's existing civil rights laws when it was considered by the U.S. House last year. They have also been strong supporters of statewide protections for LGBTQ Ohioans. When Congresswoman Beatty served as Speaker of the Ohio General Assembly, she advanced through the House the Equal Housing and Employment Act, the first-ever vote by the Ohio legislature to protect LGBTQ people. Over the next year, HRC will devote significant resources to turning out the 2 million Equality Voters across the state of Ohio to ensure pro-equality leaders like Reps. Beatty, Kaptur, Fudge and Ryan remain in office.

“For decades, LGBTQ people across America have lived under a patchwork of protections that leaves them and their families at risk of discrimination. Leaders like Representatives Beatty, Kaptur, Fudge and Ryan have not only been steadfast allies of the LGBTQ community, they have used their positions of power to help improve the lives of LGBTQ people in Ohio and across the nation,” said HRC President Alphonso David. “Now, it’s time to make sure these leaders have the support they need to continue to work on behalf of all Americans, including the LGBTQ community. The Human Rights Campaign is proud to endorse Representatives Beatty, Kaptur, Fudge and Ryan in their bids for reelection.”

“I’m thankful to the Human Rights Campaign for their endorsement,” said Congressman Tim Ryan. “I supported and co-sponsored the Equality Act in 2019 to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, and childbirth. The U.S. Senate needs to pass the Equality Act and send it to the president for his signature. I will continue my long-standing history as an advocate for the civil rights of the LGBTQ community.”

“I am honored to have the endorsement of the Human Rights Campaign. I have supported Ohio's Fairness Act and co-sponsored the Equality Act in Congress,” said Congresswoman Joyce Beatty. “ I will continue to advocate on behalf of the LGBTQ community and work with HRC to ensure no American faces discrimination for who they love.”

"I am grateful for the support of the Human Rights Campaign as we work together to ensure equality, safety and integration for all people,” said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur. “The Human Rights Campaign has long been a leader in ensuring fundamental civil rights for all of our citizens and I am proud to stand alongside your efforts."

“The Human Rights Campaign has advocated for millions of LGBTQ Americans for 40 years,” said Congresswoman Marcia Fudge. “ HRC's work, and that of other organizations fighting for equality and human rights, restores hope for an America free from discrimination, hate crimes, and policies that block access to health care, prevent marriage equality and limit job opportunities. I will continue to support legislation that guarantees and protects the rights of the LGBTQ community and others who too often are denied their legal and human rights. Thank you, HRC, for all that you do.  It is an honor to receive this endorsement.”

In the 2018 midterms, HRC helped register more than 32,000 voters and recruited more than 4,200 volunteers, who worked over 8,500 shifts and clocked more than 30,000 volunteer hours. In the critical final four days of the campaign, HRC staff and volunteers in get-out-the-vote efforts alone knocked on more than 80,000 doors, and held 36,400 conversations with voters at their doors and by phone on behalf of our endorsed candidates. HRC's unprecedented grassroots mobilization represented an investment of approximately $26 million to recruit volunteers, mobilize constituents, register voters and grow the organization's grassroots army in an all-out effort to pull the emergency brake on the hateful anti-LGBTQ agenda of the Trump-Pence administration and elect a Congress that would hold them accountable.