ANNAPOLIS — Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) — the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization — hailed the victory of HRC-endorsed Wes Moore in his successful bid to become governor of Maryland. Governor-elect Moore will be the fourth Black governor in the nation’s history.

Human Rights Campaign Interim President Joni Madison released the following statement:

“It’s a new day in Maryland, as Wes Moore stands poised to become the state’s first Black governor. It shouldn’t have taken this long for this barrier to fall, but the day has arrived, and we celebrate it. We also celebrate the onset of an administration that will embrace LGBTQ+ equality, one that will ensure that the extremist rhetoric and legislation that has been seen in other states can’t gain a foothold in Maryland. LGBTQ+ voters are among the fastest growing voting blocs in the country, and as governor, Wes Moore will make protecting our rights and freedoms a priority – as they should be.”

As a candidate, Wes Moore was outspoken about his commitment to making LGBTQ+ rights a top priority for his administration. On the campaign trail, Moore promised to work with organizations to create partnerships with LGBTQ+ youth by providing critical resources and support to queer and transgender Marylanders. Moore is also a supporter of the Trans Health Equity Act, which would ensure access to gender-affirming health care for transgender Marylanders.

HRC’s Commitment to Maryland

HRC worked this year to engage our volunteers, members and supporters to mobilize the nearly 2.2 million Equality Voters in Maryland in support of Moore 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.

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.