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

 HRC responded to President Donald Trump, who is scheduled to raise money and campaign for anti-LGBTQ Senator Dean Heller and Congressional candidate Danny Tarkanian. Trump, Heller and Tarkanian all have long records of undermining LGBTQ equality.

“The choice in this election could not be more clear for Nevada voters,” said HRC Nevada State Director Briana Escamilla. “Heller and Tarkanian have pushed anti-LGBTQ policies that are dangerous and politically toxic. By continuing to align themselves with the Trump-Pence administration, they are showing they act as a rubber stamp for the politics of prejudice of this White House. The more than 600,000 Equality Voters in Nevada will not stand for their discriminatory agenda. That’s why HRC is on the ground mobilizing members and supporters across the state to reject the politics of hate, and elect pro-equality champions Jacky Rosen and Susie Lee in November.”

While in office Senator Heller has opposed marriage equality and voted against the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” He also voted against the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr Hate Crimes Prevention Act to provide federal protections from hate crimes based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

HRC has endorsed Rep. Jacky Rosen (NV-03) for Senate, a champion for LGBTQ equality. Since joining Congress, Rosen has been an outspoken critic of the Trump-Pence Administration’s assault on the LGBTQ community, from revoking discrimination protections for transgender children in public schools, to attempting to erase the LGBTQ community in the U.S. census. She is a co-sponsor of the Equality Act and the Global Respect Act, legislation that would strengthen U.S. foreign policy related to anti-LGBTQ discrimination abroad.

Danny Tarkanian supports a license to discriminate against LGBTQ people, and has vowed to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which provides federal protections for LGBTQ people by prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex orientation and gender identity.

In Nevada, HRC has identified more than 600,000 “Equality Voters” -- voters who support LGBTQ-inclusive policies. HRC has prioritized investments and organizing in Nevada in the 2018 cycle, and has staff and resources on the ground in the state as part of the largest grassroots expansion in the organization’s 38-year history.