LAS VEGAS -- 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 13 pro-equality candidates in the Nevada State Legislature.

“As we face ongoing attacks at the federal level and the threat of anti-LGBTQ extremist Adam Laxalt in the governor’s office, investing in races up and down the ballot and defending our pro-equality majority in the Legislature has never been more important,” said HRC Nevada State Director Briana Escamilla. “From protecting Nevada’s LGBTQ youth from so-called “conversion therapy,” to passing landmark non-discrimination measures, we’ve seen many successes over the past few years that would not have been possible without state lawmakers who are committed to fairness, justice and moving equality forward. With so much at stake, HRC is on the ground working harder than ever to ensure that we maintain a pro-equality majority in the Nevada State Legislature, that will fight to protect the incredible gains we have made,.”

In the Nevada State Senate, HRC has endorsed Marilyn Loop for Senate District 8; Melanie Scheible for Senate District 9; and Julie Pazina for Senate District 20. They are all vying for open seats. In the Nevada State Assembly, HRC has endorsed Jennie Sherwood for Assembly District 2; Connie Munk for Assembly District 4; incumbent Brittney Miller for re-election to Assembly District 5; incumbent Steve Yeager for re-election to Assembly District 9; incumbent Ozzie Fumo for re-election to Assembly District 21; Kristee Watson for Assembly District 22; incumbent Lesley Cohen for re-election to Assembly District 29; Michelle Gorelow for Assembly District 35; Shea Backus for Assembly District 37; and incumbent Sandra Jauregui for re-election to Assembly District 41.

In the past few years, the Nevada Legislature has passed several pro-equality measures, including a law protecting LGBTQ youth from the dangerous and discredited practice of so-called “conversion therapy,” and the repeal of an outdated law requiring transgender Nevadans to publish their names in the newspaper before legally changing their gender marker on government documents. The current pro-equality Legislature has also passed protections for LGBTQ children in foster care; an anti-bullying law requiring schools to implement explicit policies protecting gender diverse students; and legislation adding “sexual orientation” and "gender identity or expression" to all Nevada statutes, alongside other protected categories. In the upcoming legislative session, lawmakers are expected to vote on additional pro-equality measures, such as a resolution to remove language in the state constitution defining marriage as between a man and a woman.

HRC has also endorsed pro-equality candidates up and down the ballot, including Steve Sisolak for Governor, Kate Marshall for Lt. Governor, State Senator Aaron Ford for Attorney General, Assemblyman Nelson Araujo for Secretary of State, Rep. Jacky Rosen (NV-03) for U.S. Senate, and Rep. Dina Titus (NV-01), Susie Lee (NV-03), and Steven Horsford (NV-04) for Congress.

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 in the 2018 cycle, and has already put staff and resources on the ground in the state. Last year, HRC announced a coast-to-coast campaign called HRC Rising, which represents 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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