With the most important election of our lifetime less than five days away, HRC is calling out Michigan’s anti-equality candidates and exposing their appalling records undermining LGBTQ equality and attacking our community.

From actively thwarting nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ people to opposing marriage equality, these candidates do not represent the pro-equality values of Michiganders, and they have no place representing the Great Lakes State.

Here’s what you need to know about five of Michigan’s anti-equality candidates before you cast your ballot this November:

Bill Schuette (Gubernatorial candidate)

• Chose to ignore consistent legal precedent by denying that LGBTQ Michiganders are protected from discrimination1

• Opposed the Affordable Care Act, vowing to “fight Obamacare tooth and nail, day-in and day-out,” and filed multiple briefs in support of major lawsuits that would wipe out health coverage for hundreds of thousands of Michiganders and eliminate protections for people with pre-existing conditions2

• Filed suit to oppose protections for LGBTQ youth facing discrimination and bullying in schools3

• Defended Michigan’s marriage ban all the way to the Supreme Court4

Tom Leonard (Attorney General candidate)

• Challenged the Michigan Civil Rights Commission’s vote to interpret discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity as a form of sex discrimination5

• Endorsed by the anti-LGBTQ organization the American Family Association of Michigan6

Tim Walberg (U.S. House candidate -- MI-07)

• Opposed marriage equality, calling it a risk to society7

• Voted against protecting LGBTQ employees of federal contractors from discrimination8

• Voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which offers critical protections for LGBTQ people9

Mike Bishop (U.S. House candidate -- MI-08)

• Said laws protecting the LGBTQ community were “not good public policy”10

• Signed onto a Supreme Court brief opposing marriage equality11

• Voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which offers critical protections for LGBTQ people12

Lena Epstein (U.S. House candidate -- MI-11)

• Called Steve Bannon “inspirational”13

• Supports repealing the Affordable Care Act, which offers critical protections for LGBTQ people14

These are not the pro-equality candidates that Michigan and our country need. HRC is committed to mobilizing Michigan’s voters in support of HRC-backed, champions of equality like Senator Debbie Stabenow, Gretchen Whitmer, Dana Nessel, Gretchen Driskell (MI-07), Elissa Slotkin (MI-08), and Haley Stevens (MI-11) who will fight for the LGBTQ community, and for the rights and welfare of all their constituents. Join us today! Learn how you can cast your vote and check your voter registration status, volunteer with HRC and stay updated on HRC’s efforts in Michigan.

HRC has been on the ground in Michigan for more than a year as part of our coast-to-coast campaign called HRC Rising, which represents the largest grassroots expansion in the organization’s 38-year history. We’re mobilizing and organizing with so many amazing local HRC members, volunteers, and supporters to elect champions of equality in Michigan up and down the ballot.  For more information on how to get involved and sign up to volunteer, visit HRC’s Equality Voter Action Center.