“Gretchen Driskell is a dedicated leader and proven champion for LGBTQ equality,” said HRC Michigan State Director Amritha Venkataraman. “She will fight for every Michigander’s right to live and work free from discrimination and harassment. HRC proudly endorses her candidacy to represent the people of Michigan’s 7th Congressional District. We look forward to mobilizing our thousands of members and supporters across the district to turn out for equality in November, and to working with Gretchen Driskell in the ongoing fight for full federal equality.”

“I am honored to once again earn the endorsement of the Human Rights Campaign,” said Gretchen Driskell. “All of Michigan’s hard working families deserve the same shot at a good quality of life -- period. Our diversity makes us a great state, and I look forward to continuing to work with HRC to ensure our laws protect each of our neighbors equally and stop policies that move our state and country backward.”

A former state representative and mayor, Gretchen Driskell has a long career serving the people of Michigan. While in office, she fought to prevent restrictions on same-sex adoption and remains committed to moving equality forward in Michigan and nationwide. Driskell supports marriage equality and the Equality Act, crucial federal legislation that would finally guarantee comprehensive protections for LGBTQ people under our nation’s civil rights laws.

Driskell is hoping to unseat incumbent Rep. Tim Walberg. Rep. Walberg scored a zero on HRC’s most recent Congressional Scorecard, which measures members of Congress’ support for LGBTQ equality and policies. He has consistently worked to undermine progress, co-sponsoring the so-called First Amendment Defense Act and opposing an amendment in support of a ban on employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity by federal contractors.

In Michigan, HRC has identified more than 1.1 million “Equality Voters” -- voters who support LGBTQ-inclusive policies including marriage equality, equitable family law, and laws that would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. HRC has prioritized investments and organizing in Michigan in the 2018 cycle, and has already put staff and resources on the ground in the state. Last year, HRC announced a coast-to-coast campaign called HRC Rising, which represents the largest grassroots expansion in the organization’s 38-year history.

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.

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