“Rep. Antonio has been a relentless champion of equality and fairness in Ohio, leading efforts to ensure that every Ohioan can live safely and freely without fear of discrimination,” said HRC Ohio State Manager Shawn Copeland. “Her leadership continues to be instrumental in the fight to move equality forward in the Buckeye State and we look forward to having another pro-equality voice in the Ohio State Senate. HRC is proud to endorse Rep. Antonio’s candidacy to represent Senate District 23.”

Said Rep. Antonio, “I am honored to receive this endorsement of the Human Rights Campaign at this critical time, as we work to move Ohio forward to be competitive in the global economy. The HRC knows how important equality for all is to our Ohio economy, our businesses and the members of the LGBTQ community. Having a seat at the table, and working on positive policies that improve the lives of all Ohioans is the reason I am running for the Senate.”

First elected to the Ohio State House in 2010, Antonio is the first and only openly LGBTQ member of the Ohio State Legislature, and would be the first woman elected to serve Ohio Senate District 23. She has been a staunch advocate for LGBTQ Ohioans and is the primary sponsor of the Ohio Fairness Act, crucial legislation that would bar discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in areas of employment, housing and public accommodations in Ohio. Last month, Rep. Antonio joined representatives from the Human Rights Campaign Ohio, Equality Ohio, TransOhio and other LGBTQ advocates for an event highlighting the importance of this legislation and the need to protect all Ohioans. The Fairness Act had its first committee hearing in almost 10 years on January 31.

HRC recently announced a bold, proactive grassroots expansion with the launch of HRC Rising — a campaign to accelerate progress in states from coast-to-coast, resist the politics of hate, fight anti-LGBTQ legislation, and fuel pro-equality candidates and initiatives. The expansion is the biggest strategic investment in the organization’s 38-year history and will include significant investments in Ohio. HRC has identified more than 1,550,000 Ohioans as likely Equality Voters, meaning they are strong supporters of progressive LGBTQ policies including marriage equality, adoption by LGBTQ people, and laws that would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

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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Paid for by Human Rights Campaign PAC and authorized by Friends of Nickie J. Antonio