The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) announced its endorsement of Hillary Clinton for U.S. president, according to a press release.
HRC's board of directors, composed of 32 community leaders from across the nation, unanimously voted to endorse Clintonan endorsement she will accept next Sunday, Jan. 24, at an event in Des Moines, Iowa, with HRC President Chad Griffin and the organization's members and supporters.
HRC President Chad Griffin said, in part, "While [Republican presidential candidates] fight to take us [backward], Hillary Clinton is fighting to advance LGBT equality across our nation and throughout the world. We are proud to endorse Hillary Clinton for president, and believe that she is the champion we can count on in Novemberand every day she occupies the Oval Office."
Clinton, in a statement, said, "Thanks to the Human Rights Campaign and millions of advocates across the country, we've made tremendous progress. But our work is far from over. Too many LGBT Americans still face discriminationin employment, in housing, in education, in health carebecause of who they are or who they love.
"As President, I will continue to fight alongside the LGBT community to pass the Equality Act. I'll support efforts to allow transgender personnel to serve openly, and I'll end the dangerous practice of 'conversion therapy' on minors. I'll expand access to HIV prevention and treatment, and confront the epidemic of violence facing the transgender community, especially transgender women of color. And I'll continue the efforts I led as Secretary of State to advance the human rights of LGBT people around the world."
The organization endorsed Barack Obama for president in June 2008 and in May 2011, Sen. John Kerry for president in June 2004 and Al Gore for president in February 2000.