“Senator Lautenberg has been a steadfast advocate and longtime leader on issues of LGBT equality in the Senate. During his tenure, he was a strong supporter of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, opposed the codification of the discriminatory ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ law in 1993 and strongly supported the repeal in 2010.  He should also be commended for introducing legislation to ensure that youth, including LGBT youth, receive science-based, medically accurate comprehensive sex education.  We look forward to working with him over the next two years, but will miss his dogged determination and leadership on LGBT issues when he retires.”

For well over a decade, Senator Lautenberg has received a 100% rating on the HRC Scorecard, which scores members of congress on their positions on LGBT-related legislation.  Following the tragic death of Rutgers University student Tyler Clementi, Sen. Lautenberg introduced the Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act to help combat harassment and cyberbullying on college campuses.

The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender political organization with members throughout the country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and educates the public to ensure that LGBT Americans can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.