“Mike Pence and Mike DeWine have pushed anti-LGBTQ policies that are not only wrong, they are politically toxic in a state with more than 1.5 million Equality Voters,” said HRC State Manager Shawn Copeland. “As Attorney General, DeWine defended the state’s marriage ban, stating that LGBTQ people did not deserve ‘protected-class status.’ DeWine also opposes non-discrimination laws protecting Ohioans on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, and protections for LGBTQ youth facing discrimination and bullying at school. As a U.S. Senator, DeWine never scored above a 25 on HRC’s Congressional Scorecard, which scores congress members’ votes on LGBTQ legislation.”

As Pence and DeWine campaign together and push their extreme, anti-equality agendas, HRC is on the ground mobilizing our members and supporters and nearly 1.6 million Equality Voters in Ohio to reject the politics of hate and elect Richard Cordray Ohio’s next governor.

HRC’s comprehensive “The Real Mike Pence” campaign includes a report, microsite and series of videos that shine a spotlight on Pence’s decades-long crusade against LGBTQ equality, and inside-the-White House efforts leading the Trump-Pence administration’s attacks on LGBTQ people, including those who bravely serve our nation in the military. It lays out his long record of support for the abusive practice of so-called “conversion therapy;” his relentless pursuit of a license to discriminate against LGBTQ people; his attempts to block hate crime legislation and funding for HIV and AIDS prevention; and his efforts to undermine access to health and reproductive care essential to LGBTQ people. He also keeps busy with his extremist agenda by working to undermine science, health, transparency, education, justice and public safety.

In Ohio, HRC has identified more than 1,550,000 “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 Ohio 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.

To schedule an interview with HRC State Manager Shawn Copeland, contact allison.turner@hrc.org.

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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