The Human Rights Campaign, America’s largest and most politically connected LGBT organization, has endorsed Hillary Clinton‘s presidential campaign in an announcement released this morning. Clinton will accept the endorsement next week at an event in Iowa.
“All the progress we have made as a nation on LGBT equality — and all the progress we have yet to make — is at stake in November,” HRC President Chad Griffin said in a statement released to the press. “In most states, LGBT people are still at risk of being fired, evicted or denied services simply because of who they are. Today, 63 percent of LGBT Americans report having experienced such discrimination, and we are seeing other troubling trends, from the onslaught of state and local anti-LGBT measures to the national scourge of anti-transgender violence to backsliding on HIV/AIDS prevention and youth homelessness. Against this backdrop, we’ve heard the leading Republican presidential candidates repeatedly threaten to block our progress, and to revoke, repeal, and overturn the gains we’ve made during President Obama’s two terms.”
“While they fight to take us backwards, Hillary Clinton is fighting to advance LGBT equality across our nation and throughout the world,” Griffin continued. “We are proud to endorse Hillary Clinton for president, and believe that she is the champion we can count on in November — and every day she occupies the Oval Office.”
The organization cited Clinton’s advocacy for LGBT rights worldwide during her tenure as Secretary of State and her “strong record on key votes and legislation” as a Senator from New York as reasons for their endorsement. Clinton was the last candidate in the three person race for the Democrat nomination to publicly “evolve” on same-sex marriage rights.
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The group listed “support for issues of concern to the community, demonstrated leadership on LGBT issues, and viability” as the criteria for earning their endorsement. They did not poll their membership to determine the results. So far, every progressive organization or labor union who has asked their membership to decide their nomination has picked Senator Bernie Sanders.
Clinton spoke at the Human Rights Campaign’s board meeting in late 2015 and in March 2007. The organization went on to endorse Senator Barack Obama in 2008.
KentonForshee
No.
Jim Philbrick
Hillary Clinton in 2016!
crazyvibes
HRC and HRC…both political sell outs. They are a match made in heaven.
DCguy
But in fairness, HRC spent a lot of the last decade defending any democrat who wasn’t supportive of gay rights. They kept saying that they were our friends and we needed to not push the issue because it was a losing issue. To the point where the head of HRC at the time sent out a memo that told Lesbians, Gays, Bi and Transgendered people to sit down and shut up and stop pushing.
I don’t think Hillary is bad for LGBT rights at all, but was there ever any doubt that HRC would endorse whoever the most establishment candidate was?
Desert Boy
Hillary Clinton. What a perfectly dreadful woman.
Dustin Lipsey
/wrists
1EqualityUSA
Hillary Clinton has a plan. She knows who she wants to tap for Supreme Court justices, who will be Secretary of State, a short list for Vice President, and appointees in mind for equality issues (women’s and LGBT) and financial matters will be hashed out through measures thoroughly analyzed. She’s put a lot of thought into her game and has experience on the world stage. Going backwards on equality is not in her plans. We will not risk having another Scalia on the bench for a life-time appointment. She’s prepared to roll with the Republican obstructionists. She’s been around the block a few times and knows their tricks. The other guy would scream how unfair Republicans are, veins bulging, skin on fire, asking for us to revolt. mmmm, no.
Tom
Wonderful endorsement Hillary will be an amazing leader
dylanhoka
@1EqualityUSA: in 2008 she said she does not support same sex marriage. This action alone kept me in the closet an extra 3 years at least. Bernie sanders all the way.
1EqualityUSA
dylanhoka, good luck with your issues.
dylanhoka
Fuck you. I really supported and loved Hilary in 2008. When I heard someone I supported say she did not support me back, it threw me off the deep end. If you cannot understand that than you are a terrible fucking person. Oh and you are a idiot. You are supporting someone, eight years ago, thought you didn’t deserve to get married. Have a terrible day 🙂
o.codone
She’s over.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I1-r1YgK9I
1EqualityUSA
Have a good day, dylanhoka. Thanks for being a Democrat.
Michael Eskridge
Didn’t they endorse her last time?
dylanhoka
@1EqualityUSA: you too, thanks for being an oxymoron.
Desert Boy
The Clintons are Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.
Doug Beaton
If you simply go to HRC’s home page on their website, and scroll down to where they show their corporate sponsor’s, then you will find the biggest reason for their endorsement, especially when Goldman Sachs name flashes up on the screen, then it all clicks and becomes totally understandable.
Anthony Lower
All the more reason to feel good about not supporting Clinton.
DCguy
@Anthony Lower:
Although, lets not make the same mistake republicans do. If your person doesn’t win in the primaries, either of the Democrat front runners are better than any of the Republicans running now.
Thad
As a MoveOn member, I guess I can’t support HRC any longer.
Tom Remillard
Wonder how much her donation was to them?
Mike Burgess
Great news, I know the Bernie supporters will whine, throw conspiracy theories, name call, and threaten they are like our version of the Tea Party I can’t wait until that embarrassment dies down after super Tuesday! Go Hillary!
GayEGO
@dylanhoka: Hey there, we all learn at different times, give Hillary a break. When my lifetime partner of 54 years and I looked at our Massachusetts SJC approving marriage for us in 2003, we thought it was odd because we were brought up that marriage was between a man and a woman. We decided to get married in 2004 because of the civil benefits and got used to calling each other a spouse. Now we are looking at calling each other a husband, which others are now doing. We live and learn, bon appetit!
Brian Bowen
I like Bernie Sanders a lot! And I think he would be a great Vice President for Mrs Clinton. But he simply does not have the breadth and depth of experience on the global stage that Hillary Clinton brings to the table on day one.
http://www.c-span.org/video/?327791-4/hillary-clinton-democratic-national-committee-summer-meeting
THESE are just a few reasons why my vote is for Hillary Clinton:
Secured $40 Billion to restore New York City (virtually on a hand shake) after the 9/11 attacks, and repeatedly enforced strict accounting records to ensure the funds were used as intended
Remained the biggest champion for first responders’ medical treatment following their exposure to the toxic chemicals released in the unique combination of jet fuel and pummelled concrete
Restored dignity to our US State Department and diplomatic corps, restoring thread bare relationships with world leaders around the globe
Took full responsibility for failures in Benghazi, and was completely exonerated of any personal wrong doing
Voluntarily presented the largest cache of email communications of any government leader to the State Department for release to the public, branding her as one of the most transparent leaders of any presidential administration in history
Worked to advance human rights for women, children and LGBT people around the world with her historic speech to the Geneva Convention, following the lead of the Obama administration to make equal rights a vital component of national foreign policy issues
Secured more than 18 million votes in her first run for the Presidency before conceding the Democratic nomination to President Obama
Established early ideological and practical parameters to today’s more concrete health care reform, and communicated them to Congress. She remains the only serving First Lady to testify before Congress on such a broad, national reform issue
And then of course her most sterling qualification:
She is a MOTHER! 🙂
________________________________________________
Snapshot of Hillary Clinton’s Record as Secretary of State
As Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton fought to make the world safer and to restore America’s leadership in the world after it was badly eroded by eight years of the Bush administration’s foreign policy. Her tenure is marked by significant accomplishments, from building a powerful global sanctions regime against Iran, to brokering a cease-fire in Gaza to protect Israel, to supporting President Obama in the raid against Osama Bin Laden, and much more.
Take a look at some of her topline achievements below:
She led the effort to impose the toughest sanctions in history on Iran, twisting arms in China, Russia and dozens of other countries to force Iran to the negotiating table.
She personally negotiated a stop to Hamas rockets raining down on Israel with a cease-fire in Gaza and actively supported Israel’s Iron Dome rocket defense system, which saved the lives of many Israelis.
She was part of the President’s team making the decision to launch the raid against Osama bin Laden.
She made women’s rights, economic participation, and political participation central to American foreign policy and global affairs, which history will record as a profound contribution.
She worked to ensure the ratification of the New START treaty, which will make the world safer by reducing American and Russian nuclear arsenals to their lowest point in fifty years.
She put economics and energy at the heart of the State Department’s agenda. Her jobs diplomacy efforts contributed to a 50 percent increase in American exports to China.
She worked to build an unprecedented global effort to combat climate change, joining President Obama to stand up to the Chinese in Copenhagen and get them to take greater responsibility for carbon emissions.
She made the rights of LGBT people a key focus of her efforts as Secretary of State, including lobbying intensively for the first ever U.N. Human Rights Council resolution on LGBT human rights.
She fought to expand internet freedom around the world, standing up to Russia, China, and Iran on the issue.
Hillary Clinton oversaw a staff of about 70,000 employees at nearly 270 diplomatic posts in 190 countries around the world.
Overseeing a budget of more than $50 billion, Clinton worked hard to ensure that American taxpayers got the “most bang for the buck” with State and USAID programs during tough economic times.
“With less resources and new challenges” Clinton promoted public-private partnerships, launching the Global Partnership Initiative to act as a convener, catalyst, and collaborator with the private sector.
Former Republican Secretary of State Henry Kissinger said Hillary Clinton “ran the State Department in the most effective way that I’ve ever seen.”
________________________________________________
And if thatâ??s not enough, hereâ??s a few more:
You donâ??t have to like Hillary Clinton or her ideas. I get it. Sheâ??s a Democrat, a progressive (in most eyes), and conservatives donâ??t like that. However, you cannot say she does not have any accomplishments. Here are just a few:
Even though her major initiative, the Clinton healthcare plan, failed (due to Republican obstruction), you cannot deny that it laid ground for what we have today, the Affordable Healthcare Act, something Clinton supports and would continue.
She played a leading role in the development of State Childrenâ??s Health Insurance Program, which provides the much-needed state support for children whose parents cannot afford nor provide them with adequate healthcare coverage.
She was also instrumental in the creation of the Adoption and Safe Families Act and the Foster Care Independence Act.
Successfully fought to increase research funding for prostate cancer and asthma at the National Institute of Health (NIH).
She spearheaded investigations into mental illness plaguing veterans of the Gulf War; we now have a term for it â?? Gulf War Syndrome.
At the Department of Justice, she helped create the office on Violence Against Women.
She was instrumental in securing over $21 billion in funding for the World Trade Center redevelopment.
Took a leading role in the investigation of health consequences of first responders and drafted the first bill to compensate and offer the health services our first responders deserve (Clintonâ??s successor in the Senate, Kirsten Gillibrand, passed the bill).
Was instrumental in working out a bi-partisan compromise to address civil liberty abuses for the renewal of the U.S. Patriot Act.
Proposed a revival of the New Deal-era Home Ownersâ?? Loan Corporation to help homeowners refinance their mortgages in the wake of the 2008 financial disaster.
Was a major proponent of sensible diplomacy which brought about a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, and brokered human rights with Burma.
Oversaw free trade agreements with our allies such as Panama, Colombia, and South Korea.
Was the most traveled Secretary of State to date.
The Clinton Foundation, founded by her and her husband, has improved the living conditions for nearly 400 million people in over 180 countries through its Initiative program.
Brian Bowen
“FREE AND EQUAL IN DIGNITY AND RIGHTS”
Delivered by Secretary Clinton
Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MudnsExyV78
1898
In Maine’s last U.S. Senate race, HRC endorsed the Republican incumbent who has a history of doing absolutely nothing for the LGBT community. The Democratic challenger, who has worked tirelessly on LGBT issues for years and helped make same-sex marriage legal in Maine, apparently wasn’t worthy of HRC’s endorsement.
So I honestly couldn’t care less who HRC endorses for president. They lost my respect a long time ago.
lykeitiz
@Brian Bowen: Could you elaborate, please?
@dylanhoka: I love your fire, mostly because I agree & think you’re right. However, if Sanders loses the primary, I hope your vote will still go Dem.
And for all the elitist Sanders naysayers on this thread supporting the HRC’s decision, I think the article sums it up: “They did not poll their membership to determine the results. So far, every progressive organization or labor union who has asked their membership to decide their nomination has picked Senator Bernie Sanders.”
Mack
And to all you “Bernie” supporters, what are you going to do when Bernie loses the nomination? Not vote? Then you would be doing the same thing by voting Republican.
lykeitiz
@1EqualityUSA: Of course she has a plan, and so do her owners.
And who cares if the “other guy’s” veins are bulging, or what he looks like, as he completely annihilates Citizen’s United, Super PAC’s, and every other democracy-sucking leech that Hill can’t because she won’t bite the hand.
Don’t get me wrong. I think she’ll be the nominee, and I would never vote Repug, but don’t delude yourself into thinking that this is Princess Diana going for the crown.
DCFarmboy
I have no doubts she is the best candidate for president. On this HRC made the right decision. Of course, others are free to follow their conscience.
Brent Thomas Hill
Thanks HRC for prompting me to make my first campaign donation – to Bernie! Sorry, but I think Hillary will say whatever is politically expedient to get elected …
Eric Carr
HRC just became Irrelevant. Feel the Bern , Bernie Sanders 2016
Barrie Goldleaf
This makes sense, in a convoluted way. If corporations are people, that would mean corporations are human. And most of us know corporations are the “humans” Mrs. Clinton cares about most.
redcarpet30
Wonder how much that set back her superPAC?
1EqualityUSA
lykeitiz, Princess Diana, wow, no, Madeleine Albright, closer. At least she knows who the players are.
Michael Golden
Loving this
Brian
HRC President Chad Griffin is so misguided. I want him to name one thing that Hillary Clinton has done for homosexual rights. Just one.
Hillary has always been a “let me put my finger to the wind and see which direction I should follow” person. She is not a leader on anything, let alone gay rights. She was also pretty pathetic as First Lady – I don’t recall her saying anything in favor of homosexual rights.
And, please, don’t get me started on her acceptance of her husband’s philandering. She’s no feminist, suffice to say.
aliengod
Shocking! She’s still not getting my vote.
Alistair Wiseman
The utter brilliance of Hillary Clinton supporters:
https://youtu.be/oKosd0xJadE
mcdfishfilla
As if endorsements matter. These organizations are becoming out of touch with its members. Bernie has been fighting for LGBT before Bill Clinton signed DOMA and Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. Let the facts speak for themselves people. Bernie is the only honest candidate running who doesn’t have to whore themselves out for votes. There’s a reason he’s winning the polls and she’s slipping. Wake up people!
Hussain-TheCanadian
Why not vote for Bernie Sanders? He won’t entangle your country, your economy, your resources on meaningless oversea wars and adventures, and many of his progressive stances are actually progressive.
fitdad
My view is she is untrustworthy. Will say anything to get a vote. Very unclear of any of her proposals. Insider. A “GOOD OL’ BOY IN A SKIRT”. If she gets the nomination I’ll vote republican an go straight. LGBT WHAT ON GODS GREEN EARTH WERE YOU THINKING. YOU SHOULD HAVE ASKED YOUR COMMUNITY FIRST
CWM85
Very disappointed in this endorsement and feel Hilary can’t be trusted. She was for doma and dadt. She is very disingenuous and I feel she just panderer for votes. I just don’t trust this woman. I think this is a big mistake and HRC will be very sorry if she is elected.
Captain Obvious
Oh God. This election the training wheels are off and we can finally see just how many people will vote literally on name recognition alone with no research. So pathetic and plain stupid. Can’t wait for the complaints 4 years or so down the line, I’ll be posting from another country waiting for one of these psychos to leave office.
kel777
@Brian Bowen: This is nuts. Hillary’s “experience” is in causing disaster after disaster. She’s a neoliberal with neo-conservative foreign policy views. Her policies are essentially warmed over Reaganite claptrap – more privatization, “public/private partnerships” – none of this is liberal.
But hey, if you think her “experience” counts so much, you’re not alone, she was recently praised by none other than Henry Kissinger for her performance as Secretary of State. Now THAT’s the endorsement we should be discussing!
John
Its why I stopped supporting the HRC years ago. Anyone who supports Hillary should sit in and watch the film from liberal Hollywood, 13 Hours, The Benghazi Story. Then for Hillary to sit at the Senate hearings so smuggly and say “whats it matter now?” I mattered then, it matters now and it matters in the future. Hillary you would not answer the proverbial 3 AM call.
martinbakman
When Obama hired a Wall Street lawyer to be attorney general and when Hillary Clinton supported repeal of Glass Steegall (just like Sarah Palin did), wasn’t that enough evidence at how corrupt politics is?
It is what it is.
Gotta wonder what kind of memories and feelings will come up when Hillary sets foot in the Oval Office. Will Bill get to go in there and reminisce?
Or maybe Bernie will win. Maybe we’ll elect someone with deep convictions.
.
.
.
.
Nahhhhhhhhhhhhh
bkworm
look, Bill Clinton signed DOMA knowing at the time it was a move for it to go through the courts because at the time the atmosphere wouldnt allow his true agenda. DONT MAKE SNAP JUDGEMENTS based on lack of knowledge. they both knew it would take time to evolve.
winemaker
I DON’T BELIEVE MY EYES! ONCE AGAIN, THE GAY COMMUNITY IS BEING PANDERED TO. HILLARY CLINTON IS A LYING, THIEVING SNAKE THAT CAN’T BE TRUSTED, PLAIN AND SIMPLE. THIS TIME, LET’S ELECT SOMEONE WITH THE INTELLIGENCE, HONESTY AND THE GUTS TO DO THE RIGHT THING FOR MIDDLE CLASS AMERICA, AND THAT FRIENDS, ISN’T HILLARY CLINTON. DO YOUR RESEARCH INTO HER PAST, IT MIGHT SURPRISE YOU. JUST DON’T GO WILLY NILLY INTO THINGS AND BELIEVE THE ADS, DO YOUR RESEARCH BEFORE CASTING your VOTES. HOPEFULLY THE GAY COMMUNITY WILL GET IT RIGHT THIS TIME. THIS COUNTRY DESERVES BETTER THAN THE BULLS**T WE’VE HAD TO ENDURE OVER THE PAST 7 1/2 YEARS, PLAIN AND SIMPLE!
JessPH
Yaaaas!
o.codone
Petraeus’ demotion almost certainly predicts Hillary’s indictment. When they slap her they can say, yeah, nothing to see here, we did it to him too. It will look fair and proportional. I want to see them go into the Chappaqua house and carry out her computers. LGBT supporter, or not, it’s over for her. Here comes Joe Biden.
DCguy
@winemaker: You posted : HOPEFULLY THE GAY COMMUNITY WILL GET IT RIGHT THIS TIME. THIS COUNTRY DESERVES BETTER THAN THE BULLS**T WE’VE HAD TO ENDURE OVER THE PAST 7 1/2 YEARS, PLAIN AND SIMPLE!
Oh REALLY?? Please explain what is the bullshit we’ve had to endure? You mean that we now have Marriage? That Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and DOMA are now gone? That multiple bills supporting bigotry have been struck down?
Please explain why you think that Romney winning would have been better. If you can’t do that, which you couldn’t, then take your phony trolling somewhere else.
girldownunder
I’m no longer a USA citizen, but follow my birth country’s politics as I do my adopted country.
In this US election, the world waits for a change from the USA.
The only change would happen with Bernie Sanders.
It’s the straight-truth (so to speak). Sanders ihe only “clean” one in the game. Say what you want about HRC’s “experience”– & I’ll point out that you mean, “experience lying”.
This, from a lesbian liberal (USA definition).
MY advice is this: Only Sanders is the true grit.
Give Sanders your vote– I guarantee, you won’t go backwards (unless the knuckle-dragging GOP dig heels).
Sanders for Prez– vote him in & feel good about a prez vote for the first time in a very long while!
homosuperior
I’m more than ready for history to bury the Clintons. Didn’t we say goodbye to Clinton-style politics in 2008? But no, here she is again lying about Sanders’ healthcare plan, and her husband and daughter lying right along with her. Unbelievable, but not. Doesn’t anyone remember her 3 AM ad from 2008? She has no shame and will do anything to win.
But just a correction, Bernie Sanders did not have to evolve on marriage equality or LGBT rights. He was in there swinging DECADES before Clinton and DOMA and Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. He’s been on the right side of the issues since he organized with SNCC in the 60s. Clinton only moved when pushed and when it was no longer politically dangerous to do so. Because that’s the kind of politician she is.
After the valuable but baby-steps forward with Obama, it’s time for a real progressive.
1EqualityUSA
Jimmy Carter was so worked over by the GOP.
Giandorko86
TRUMP 2016!
Giandorko86
Why would any of you want a woman for president?