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

“Governor Whitmer and Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist have been strong and effective allies for Michigan’s LGBTQ+ community and we are proud to endorse them for reelection. In her first days as governor, Gov. Whitmer signed an executive directive to strengthen prohibitions against LGBTQ+ discrimination in state employment, contracting and provision of services. In addition, Gov. Whitmer signed an executive directive prohibiting Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services from using state and federal funds on the dangerous practice of so-called ‘conversion therapy’. Together, their many pro-equality accomplishments, in addition to their continued commitment to supporting the LGBTQ+ community, have helped make Michigan a safer and more equitable place for all people. We will work to ensure that Gov. Whitmer and Lt. Gov. Gilchrist can continue to make a positive impact through their leadership.”

Human Rights Campaign Michigan State Director Amritha Venkataraman released the following statement:

“HRC understands the importance of electing pro-equality candidates in advancing LGBTQ+ rights across the country. We are committed to mobilizing our members and volunteers to ensure that LGBTQ+ allies and advocates, like Gov. Whitmer and Lieutenant Gov. Gilchrist, can use their power in office to promote legislation and policies that protect and empower the LGBTQ+ community.”

Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Lieutenant Governor Garlin released the following statement:

“We are bringing people together to build a state where every person can reach their full potential – creating good-paying jobs, investing in education, strengthening our infrastructure, and securing fundamental rights,” said Governor Whitmer. “All Michiganders deserve to live as their authentic selves, and I am fighting to protect the LGBTQ community against discrimination by expanding the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act. I am proud to have the support of the Human Rights Campaign as we move Michigan forward.”

A Record as Champions of Equality

Following a successful campaign and a previous endorsement by HRC in 2018, Governor Whitmer and Lt. Gov. Gilchrist have illustrated a strong commitment to protecting and safeguarding Michigan’s LGBTQ+ community. Both Gov. Whitmer and Lt. Gov. Gilchrist have prioritized confronting injustice and are valuable allies in the fight for equality. In 2019, Gov. Whitmer signed an executive directive strengthening the protections against discrimination based on gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation within state employment. More recently, Gov. Whitmer signed another executive directive preventing Michigan’s State Department of Health and Human Services from using state or federal funds on conversion therapy for minors. Beyond passing pro-equality legislation, Gov. Whitmer called on the state legislature to send her a bill expanding non-discrimination protections in the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act to explicitly include sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. She then filed an amicus brief with the Michigan Supreme Court arguing that the wording of the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act does prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Gov. Whitmer and Lt. Gov. Gilchrist issued an annual proclamation marking June as Pride month for the state. Additionally, Gov. Whitmer was the first Michigan governor to fly the Pride flag on a State of Michigan building in 2019. Both Gov. Whitmer and Lt. Gov. Gilchrist have worked hard to advocate for and protect Michigan’s LGBTQ+ community and have solidified their reputations as strong and effective allies.

HRC’s Commitment to Michigan

Equality Voters, including the 1.1 million in Michigan, 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. HRC helps inform these voters on candidates by keeping them up to date on political, legislative and LGBTQ+ related news found here.

Across the country, HRC PAC works every day to elect pro-equality leaders who support policies that will support the rights and lives of LGBTQ+ people. During the 2020 election cycle, HRC staff on the ground recruited 5,800 individual volunteers nationwide who completed 28,500 hours of voter contact in more than 2,650 volunteer events. HRC engaged in robust digital and online GOTV efforts, including sending over 2.7 million person-to-person text messages, a massive increase from 2018 when approximately 500,000 texts were sent. HRC sent over 2.5 million mail pieces, had over 930,000 phone conversations with voters, and engaged more than 200,000 voters through HRC’s voter dashboard at hrc.org/vote.