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

HRC responded to news of President Donald Trump’s scheduled trip to Elko, Nevada, where he will hold a campaign rally in support of Nevada Senator Dean Heller. Heller has a long record undermining LGBTQ equality, which includes opposing marriage equality and supporting the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.

“Dean Heller votes with Donald Trump 96 percent of the time. His embrace of this discriminatory and politically toxic agenda is bad for Nevada and will cost him on Election Day,” said HRC Nevada State Director Briana Escamilla. “From his vote for Brett Kavanaugh, to his countless attempts to undermine the Affordable Care Act, and his opposition to protecting LGBTQ people through our hate crimes laws, Heller has continued to sell out his constituents -- who overwhelming support equality -- in an attempt to score cheap political points with the president. Nevadans won’t stand for his anti-LGBTQ agenda. That’s why HRC is fighting to ensure pro-equality champion Jacky Rosen replaces him as the Silver State’s next U.S. Senator.”

While in office Senator Heller has opposed marriage equality, voted against the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” and opposed including sexual orientation or gender identity in our nation’s hate crimes laws. Heller broke his promise to Nevada by voting to slash protections for people with pre-existing conditions, charge many older Nevadans more for healthcare, and stripe coverage from 200,000 Nevadans, including many LGBTQ people.  HRC has endorsed Rep. Jacky Rosen 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 LGBTQ children in public schools, to attempting to render the LGBTQ community invisible 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.

In Nevada, HRC has identified more than 600,000 “Equality Voters” -- voters who support LGBTQ-inclusive policies including marriage equality, equitable family law, and laws that would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. HRC has prioritized investments and organizing in Nevada, and has staff and resources on the ground in the state.