Human Rights Campaign Senior Vice President, Policy & Political Affairs JoDee Winterhof released the following statement:

“The Human Rights Campaign is proud to endorse Rep. Liz Bennett for the Iowa State Senate. She made history as the first openly queer woman elected to the Iowa House and has worked to advance the rights of LGBTQ+ Iowans throughout her service. She’s shown her steadfast dedication for equality as she’s fought discriminatory political attacks against our community, particularly LGBTQ+ youth, and has authored legislation to advance LGBTQ+ equality in classrooms, doctors offices and other areas of life. Rep. Bennett is a passionate and dedicated leader, and we will continue working together in our fight for equality for all.”

Rep. Liz Bennett released the following statement:

“Although Iowa has a history of quiet progress, homophobia and transphobia are rising to a fever pitch. During my time in the House, I have fought every fight anti-equality forces have brought while still building the relationships needed to pass the Gay and Trans Panic defense Ban through the State House. In the State Senate, I'll make sure that LGBTQIA folks in Iowa know that someone is telling our stories and fighting our fights.”

Rep. Liz Bennett – ​​who was elected to represent House District 65 in Cedar Rapids in 2014 – was the first openly queer woman elected to the Iowa House, and would make history once again as the first openly queer woman to serve in the State Senate. Rep. Bennett authored and worked with Republicans to pass the Gay and Trans Panic Defense Ban through the House twice. She authored legislation requiring schools to use medically accurate LGBTQ+ inclusive human growth and development curriculums, has written legislation to ban non-medically necessary surgeries on intersex minors, and supported anti-bullying legislation. She has been a leading voice fighting against Iowa’s anti-trans sports ban, legislation that discriminates against trans Iowans on Medicaid, and has fought against legislation supporting “conversion therapy.” Rep. Bennett has also been a consistent light to LGBTQ+ kids visiting the Capitol and a frequent speaker to school Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) groups.

HRC’s Commitment to Iowa

Equality Voters, including the nearly 440,000 Equality Voters in Iowa, 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.

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.