WASHINGTON, DC — Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, announced its endorsement of Phil Murphy in his bid to become the next governor of New Jersey. HRC estimates there are approximately 2.3 million pro-equality LGBTQ and allied voters in the state.

“Phil Murphy’s commitment to LGBTQ equality makes him the clear choice for fair-minded New Jerseyans,” said JoDee Winterhof, HRC Senior Vice President for Policy and Political Affairs. “Murphy has made advancing LGBTQ equality a key component of his vision for the future of the Garden State, and it’s absolutely crucial that pro-equality voters turn out to elect him. We are proud to endorse Phil Murphy for governor of New Jersey.”

"I am honored to stand with the Human Rights Campaign in the fight to ensure equal treatment for every American, regardless of orientation or identity," said Murphy.

Murphy strongly believes that no one in New Jersey — from military veterans to small business owners to aspiring parents — should be treated differently because of who they are or whom they love. He is committed to vigorously expanding and enforcing anti-bullying and LGBTQ non-discrimination protections, and recently spoke outstrongly against President Trump’s unconscionable transgender military ban — calling it “simply disgusting.”

Murphy’s public commitments to the people of New Jersey include:

• Update forms to allow transgender people to select their gender on birth and death certificates and ensure that access to facilities is non-discriminatory;

• Ensure that all residents, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, have equal access to healthcare and fertility treatment;

• Expand state contract set-asides to include LGBTQ-owned businesses, to make sure LGBTQ business leaders have a fair shot to get ahead; and

• Reclassify veterans dishonorably discharged due to the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy to an honorable discharge – so that they will be eligible for the state benefits they and their families are owed for fighting for our country.

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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