Post submitted by Ianthe Metzger, Former Press Secretary, State & Local 

HRC announced its endorsement of Congressman Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) for re-election to Arizona’s seventh Congressional District.

“Throughout his time in public service, Rep. Gallego has proven himself to be a stalwart champion for the LGBTQ community,” said HRC Arizona State Manager Justin Unga. “He has stood by us in the fight for full federal equality and HRC is proud to endorse him for re-election. We look forward to working with him to move equality forward both in Arizona and across the country.”

“The Human Rights Campaign is a critical partner in the fight for social justice and I couldn't be any prouder to have their endorsement,” said Rep Gallego. “Their work has directly improved the lives of millions of LGBTQ Americans, and our country is so much stronger for it. I look forward to continuing to partner with the Human Rights Campaign during my next term in Congress.”

 As a member of the Arizona State House in 2014, Rep. Gallego helped lead the opposition to a dangerous expansion of Arizona’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which could have granted a broad license to discriminate against LGBTQ people. In the United States House of Representatives, he has been a staunch advocate for the LGBTQ community, serving as a vice chair of the chamber’s LGBT Equality Caucus, and cosponsoring the Equality Act, landmark federal legislation that would guarantee the same basic nondiscrimination protections to LGBTQ people provided for other protected characteristics under federal law. He currently holds a perfect 100 on HRC’s Congressional Scorecard, which measures members’ of Congress support for LGBTQ equality.

HRC recently announced a bold, proactive grassroots expansion with the launch of HRC Rising — a campaign to accelerate progress in states from coast-to-coast, resist the politics of hate, fight anti-LGBTQ legislation, and fuel pro-equality candidates and initiatives. The campaign is the biggest strategic expansion in the organization’s 38-year history and will include significant investments in Arizona. HRC has identified more than 800,000  Arizonans as likely Equality Voters, meaning they are strong supporters of progressive LGBTQ policies including marriage equality, equitable family law, and laws that would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.