“Adam Laxalt’s obsession with attacking the LGBTQ community has always been both morally repugnant and politically perplexing,” said HRC Nevada State Director Briana Escamilla. “In a state with 100,000 LGBTQ voters, where a strong majority of citizens support marriage equality and fundamental civil rights, Laxalt has nonetheless repeatedly attacked LGBTQ people to try and drum up votes. From his opposition to protections for LGBTQ youth facing discrimination at school, to pushing 'license to discriminate' policies, to his attempts to rip health care away from thousands of Nevadans, Adam Laxalt is the antithesis of Nevada values. That’s why, over the next 100 days we are going to fight like hell to elect Steve Sisolak, who is committed to standing up for every single person across our state. And together, we're going to send a message to politicians like Adam Laxalt that Nevadans won’t stand for these kinds of attacks on their kids, family, friends and neighbors.”

Adam Laxalt has made virulent anti-LGBTQ activism a cornerstone of his political career. Laxalt opposes marriage equality, previously vowing to “vigorously” defend the state’s now defunct marriage ban, and supports banning LGBTQ people from serving openly in the military. Laxalt has also supported a license to discriminate in the health care system that would prioritize physicians’ beliefs over life-saving patient care, and opposes the Obama Administration’s live-saving guidance protecting LGBTQ youth facing discrimination in our schools.

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.

###