​Post submitted by former Senior Director of Communications and Marketing Chris Sgro

HRC announced its endorsement of Mike Levin (D) in his bid to represent the people of California’s 49th Congressional District. HRC President Chad Griffin joined Levin and Equality Voters at a campaign event in Solana Beach to announce the endorsement and discuss the importance of the race.

“For too long, the people of Orange and San Diego counties have been represented by a dangerous opponent of equality. Diane Harkey would continue to work against Southern California values — even supporting the debunked and cruel practice of so-called ‘conversion therapy,’” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “Mike Levin will be the champion for equality District 49 deserves, and HRC is proud to endorse him. We will work to mobilize and organize thousands of pro-equality voters to ensure he is elected in November. We look forward to working with Mike Levin to pass the Equality Act and secure full federal equality for all Americans when he is sworn into the U.S. House."

“The fight for full legal, economic and social equality for the LGBTQ community is far from won,” said Mike Levin. “I am truly honored to receive the endorsement of the Human Rights Campaign and look forward to joining them, as a member of Congress, in working to pass the Equality Act to provide uniform protection against discrimination in the 30 states where those rights do not yet exist.”

Mike Levin has dedicated his career to championing clean energy and issues of sustainability and climate change at the local, state, and federal levels -- he is a battle-tested attorney, non-profit founder and director, and a proven change-maker who will serve as a strong advocate for LGBTQ equality and ally to the LGBTQ communities of San Diego and Orange County. Levin is a strong supporter of marriage equality and the Equality Act, important federal legislation that would finally guarantee explicit, comprehensive non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people under our nation’s civil rights laws.

In the general election, Levin will face Republican candidate Diane Harkey. Harkey is no friend to the LGBTQ community -- in previous elected positions, Harkey has voted against a ban on conversion therapy, against a bill that would allow transgender students to use the facilities that align with their gender identity, and against multiple bills that would protect LGBTQ people from discrimination.

In California, HRC has identified over 9 million voters as likely “Equality Voters,” meaning they are strong supporters of progressive LGBTQ policies including marriage equality, equitable family law, and laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Last year, HRC announced a coast-to-coast campaign to mobilize voters for the midterm elections called HRC Rising, which represents the largest grassroots expansion in the organization’s 38-year history.