Today, HRC released new polling data from Hart Research Associates one year out from the 2018 midterm elections showing that likely voters across Nevada overwhelmingly support LGBTQ-inclusive policies and are less likely to vote for a candidate who does not. HRC is on the ground in Nevada, a priority state through HRC Rising -- the largest and earliest grassroots expansion in its 37-year history.

“A year out from the midterm elections, the data clearly show that Nevadans overwhelmingly support LGBTQ equality,” said JoDee Winterhof, Senior Vice President for Policy and Political Affairs. “Just as they have in North Carolina last year and Alabama last month, Nevada voters will stand up to reject candidates who target LGBTQ people. These polling results make it clear -- hate is not a winning political strategy.”

Following the defeat of anti-LGBTQ politicians like former North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory and Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore, the new polling makes clear that voters in Nevada resoundingly reject elected officials who attack and discriminate against the LGBTQ community. Almost half of voters (48 percent) say they would feel less favorably toward an official who opposes LGBTQ equality, versus 11 percent who say it would make them more favorable toward the official. This 37 point margin demonstrates just how toxic it is to attack LGBTQ people for perceived political gain. Voters will no longer tolerate discrimination against their family, friends and neighbors.

Nevada voters also oppose the Trump-Pence administration's efforts to roll back LGBTQ equality, with 60 percent opposing Trump’s efforts to ban qualified transgender people from serving in the United States armed forces. By a wide 29 point margin, voters also oppose laws granting business owners a dangerous license to discriminate.

Overall, Nevada voters support LGBTQ equality and protections for LGBTQ people such as banning so-called “conversion therapy” and prohibiting discrimination against prospective LGBTQ parents and kids in foster care and adoption. Other key findings from the poll:

• 75 percent of Nevada voters support LGBTQ employees having access to paid family and medical leave, without fear of losing a paycheck or their job for the birth or adoption of a child, or to care for a sick family member.
• 63 percent of Nevada voters support allowing LGBTQ people to legally adopt children.
• 58 percent of Nevada voters support making it illegal to discriminate against LGBTQ people in employment.
• 58 percent of Nevada voters support making it illegal to discriminate against LGBTQ people in housing.

HRC has endorsed Congresswoman Jacky Rosen (NV-03) for U.S. Senate, a staunch advocate for the LGBTQ community. She has been an outspoken critic of the Trump-Pence administration's assault on LGBTQ equality, from revoking discrimination protections for transgender children in public schools, to attempting to render the LGBTQ community invisible in the U.S. census. Rep. Rosen is also a co-sponsor 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. Nevada voters support passing this legislation by a 57 to 23 percent margin.

In July, HRC announced HRC Rising, the earliest, largest grassroots expansion in its 37-year history ahead of 2018 midterms. This historic campaign to win equality in states from coast-to-coast, resist the politics of hate, fight anti-LGBTQ legislation, and fuel pro-equality candidates and initiatives, will include six priority states: Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Ahead of the 2018 midterm elections, HRC has identified more than 455,000 Nevadans as likely “Equality Voters” — those who are strong supporters of policies that advance LGBTQ equality, including marriage equality and other measures prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Read the full polling memo here.