“As an attorney, Mary Gay Scanlon fought tirelessly for the LGBTQ community, working to promote inclusion and acceptance in Pennsylvania and across the country,” said HRC Pennsylvania State Director Allison VanKuiken.  “HRC is proud to endorse her bid to represent the people of Pennsylvania’s 5th District in Congress and we look forward to working closely with her to move LGBTQ equality forward.”

“We are at a turning point in our democracy, where our shared American values are challenged every day,” said Mary Gay Scanlon. “As a nation, we are at our best when one's gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, race or socioeconomic background doesn't determine their access to opportunity or how one is treated under the law. I am proud to have the endorsement of the Human Rights Campaign and promise to continue to work as a human rights advocate and ally as we push back against the daily assault on the progress we've made.”

An attorney and former school board member, Mary Gay Scanlon has proven her commitment to LGBTQ equality. She supports the Equality Act, crucial federal legislation that would finally guarantee comprehensive protections for LGBTQ people under our nation's civil rights laws, and opposes the so-called First Amendment Defense Act. As an attorney, Scanlon worked pro bono on marriage equality research projects, and counseled athletic organizations on inclusion practices and transgender policies. Scanlon also provided pro bono work challenging discriminatory definitions of marriage, and offered legal representation for transgender individuals seeking to change their names.

In Pennsylvania, HRC has identified more than 2.3 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 Pennsylvania in the 2018 cycle, and has already put four staff members 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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