Washington– On the news that the Iowa Republican Caucus ended in a virtual tie with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney eking out former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, issued the following statement:

“These men who have pledged to amend the constitution to ban marriage for gay couples, keep the failed 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy and oppose basic workplace protections for LGBT people, are not fit to lead.  Their showings in Iowa last night only further draws a distinction between their plans to turn back the clock on equality and President Obama's demonstrated commitment to making the lives of LGBT people better.

"The anti-LGBT positions shared by these candidates will not serve them well in a general election. By a strong majority, Americans support equal treatment under the law which neither Romney or Santorum do. Governor Romney may have tried to seem like a moderate candidate on LGBT issues when in Massachusetts, but it's clear through the campaign he's run for President that he is no friend to LGBT Americans.  Further, Senator Santorum is only exemplary in that no other candidate has made opposing basic rights for LGBT Americans such a guiding principle of his or her public life.”

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.