DETROIT -- Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, announced its endorsement of a record 28 pro-equality candidates in the Michigan State Legislature.

“As we face ongoing attacks at from the Trump-Pence Administration and the threat of anti-LGBTQ extremist Bill Schuette in the governor’s office, investing in races up and down the ballot has never been more important,” said HRC Michigan State Director Amritha Venkataraman. “With a pro-equality majority, we can finally pass state level non-discrimination protections for the LGBTQ community and make Michigan a welcoming and inclusive place for all. That’s why HRC is on the ground working harder than ever to turn out the vote for state level candidates who will champion equality and defend the rights of every Michigander.”

In the Michigan State Senate, HRC has endorsed Stephanie Chang for Senate District 1; Dayna Polehanki for Senate District 7; Rosemary Bayer for Senate District 12; Mallory McMorrow for Senate District 13; Sean McCann for Senate District 20; Curtis Hertel for re-election to Senate District 23; Kelly Rossman-McKinney for Senate District 24; Garnet Lewis for Senate District 26; and Winnie Brinks for Senate District 29. In the Michigan State House, HRC has endorsed Abdullah Hammoud for re-election to House District 15; Kevin Hertel for re-election to House District 18; Matt Koleszar for House District 20; Kristy Pagan for re-election to House District 21; Darrin Camilleri for re-election to House District 23; Jim Ellison for re-election to House District 26; Robert Wittenberg for re-election to  House District 27; Christine Greig for re-election to House District 37; Kelly Breen for House District 38; Mari Manoogian for House District 40; Padma Kuppa for House District 41; Tim Sneller for re-election to House District 50; Donna Lasinski for re-election to House District 52; Yousef Rabhi for re-election to House District 53; Jon Hoadley for re-election to House District 60; David LaGrand for re-election to House District 75; Rachel Hood for House District 76; Brian Elder for re-election to House District 96; and Sarah Schulz for House District 98. HRC also endorsed State Rep. Jeremy Moss for Michigan State Senate prior to his primary victories in August.

Michigan is one of 30 states in the country that lacks explicit state-level protections for all LGBTQ people. Both chambers have so far failed to show the leadership needed to approve legislation updating the state’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to explicitly include protections for LGBTQ Michiganders. Earlier this year, the Michigan Civil Rights Commission became the first commission of its kind in the nation to determine that laws prohibiting sex discrimination also prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Anti-LGBTQ gubernatorial candidate and current Attorney General Bill Schuette has continued to ignore legal precedent and the commission’s ruling, leaving thousands of LGBTQ Michganders at risk of discrimination.

In Michigan, HRC has identified more than 1.1 million Michiganders as likely “Equality Voters” -- voters who support LGBTQ-inclusive policies. HRC has prioritized investments and organizing in Michigan 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.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work, and in every community.

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