Human Rights Campaign Congratulates Lt. Gov. John Fetterman on Victory in Race for U.S. Senate

by Elizabeth Bibi •

Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) -- the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization -- congratulated HRC-endorsed Lietuenant Governor John Fetterman on his election to the US Senate from Pennsylvania.

Human Rights Campaign Pennsylvania State Director Ryan Matthews released the following statement:

“There are a number of reasons why John Fetterman caught fire this election cycle – including his passion for justice and equality, his frank and honest approach to communicating his policies and beliefs, and his advocacy on behalf of all Pennsylvanians. He has especially been a fervent defender of the LGBTQ+ community, and having his vote in the U.S. Senate will be integral to passing important reforms to protect our rights and freedoms. Pennsylvanians recognized John Fetterman as one of their own, and he’s going to be a great senator for the Keystone State. The Human Rights Campaign congratulates Senator-elect Fetterman, and we look forward to working with him in the next Congress.”

Human Rights Campaign Pennsylvania State Director Ryan Matthews

Throughout his time in public life, Fetterman has proven himself to be an unwavering ally for the LGBTQ+ community. In 2013, as Mayor of Braddock, Fetterman was threatened with arrest by former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett after he officiated the first same-sex marriages in Allegheny County in defiance of Pennsylvania’s ban. As Lieutenant Governor, he has regularly ordered the display of Pride flags from the balcony at the State Capitol in Harrisburg, along with the trans Pride flag during Transgender Day of Remembrance. Anti-equality state lawmakers later passed legislation banning this practice, but Fetterman continued to fly the flags in defiance of the ban.

As Lieutenant Governor, Fetterman also fought for state and local laws to prohibit anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination; hosted a same-sex wedding when a wedding venue refused to do so; joined with lieutenant governors across the country to urge the lifting of restrictions on GBTQ+ men from giving blood; and fought for equality for LGBTQ+ couples in the provision of adoption services. In the U.S. Senate, Fetterman will help to pass the Equality Act and codify protections for the LGBTQ+ community into law.

HRC’s Commitment to Pennsylvania

HRC worked this year to engage our volunteers, members and supporters to mobilize the 3 million Equality Voters in Pennsylvania in support of Fetterman and other pro-equality candidates up and down the ballot. Equality Voters are a voting bloc of demographically and geographically diverse Americans who are united by the advancement of LGBTQ+ equality. Equality Voters are younger, more racially diverse, and more female than the general electorate, they recognize and trust the HRC brand, and they are more likely to identify with issue-specific organizations than candidates or political parties.

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To make a general inquiry, please visit our contact page. Members of the media can reach our press office at: (202) 572-8968 or email press@hrc.org.