“As thousands of LGBTQ Michiganders remain at risk of discrimination and harassment, it is more important than ever for us to elect pro-equality legislative majorities who will protect our state’s most vulnerable communities,” said HRC Michigan State Director Amritha Venkataraman. “Jeremy Moss and Ricardo White are incredible advocates for Michigan's working families, who will fight tooth and nail to ensure that every Michigander is equally protected under state law. We are proud to endorse their candidacies and look forward to mobilizing our thousands of members and supporters across the Great Lakes State to turn out for equality in November.”

Jeremy Moss is running to represent Michigan’s 11th State Senate District. Currently in his second term in the State House, Moss has been a champion for the middle class, fair elections and strengthening Michigan’s public education. A fierce advocate for LGBTQ Michiganders, Moss has also co-sponsored legislation that would amend Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to explicitly include protections for residents based on sexual orientation and gender identity. He is the second openly LGBTQ member elected to the Michigan House of Representatives and, if elected, would be the first openly LGBTQ member of the State Senate.

Ricardo White is running to represent Michigan’s 6th State House District.  As a legislative staffer and longtime political activist, White has spent his career serving the people of Michigan, and fighting for equality and fairness. As a staffer in the Michigan State House, White worked closely with state lawmakers on legislation amending the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to explicitly include protections for LGBTQ Michiganders. If elected, White would be the first openly LGBTQ African-American State Representative in Michigan.

Following the August 7 primary, HRC will be examining races up and down the ballot to determine additional endorsements for the 2018 general election. In Michigan, HRC has identified 1.1 million “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 Michigan in the 2018 cycle, and has already put staff and resources on the ground in the state. Last July, 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 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer equality. 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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