Gay Rights Group Launches $10M Election Initiative

Gay Rights Group Launches $10M Election Initiative

(Washington) The Human Rights Campaign Wednesday announced a $10 million campaign to elect LGBT-positive politicians this November.

The campaign begins just weeks before the U.S. Senate is expected to take up the Federal Marriage Amendment, the proposed constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

"Equality is on the line and our community is taking this fight to the ballot box," said Cheryl Jacques, HRC president.

"The gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community and our allies will hold Senators who vote for the FMA accountable with our votes in November."

The money will be used both to educate and turn-out gay civil rights supporters, and to fight attempts by conservatives to use marriage rights for same-sex couples as a 'wedge' issue.

Jacques said that the organization plans to endorse over 200 candidates for federal office and will spend over $1.3 million in Political Action Committee funds. It will also run an independent expenditure campaign to educate our community about what is at stake in this election, she said.

In particular the campaign will focus on the proposed constitutional amendment.

"Writing discrimination into the U.S. Constitution is our line in the sand," said Jacques. "This cycle we will employ sophisticated techniques to identify and turnout not only our base, but other fair-minded voters who don't want the Constitution used to discriminate."

Data from Voter News Service and Zogby International consistently measure 4 to 5 percent of the voting population as self-identified gay or lesbian.

Earlier this month the organization endorsed John Kerry for President saying that although he does not support same-sex marriage he opposes the Federal Marriage Amendment and "is one of our strongest advocates".

http://www.365gay.com/newscon04/06/062304hrcVote.htm


Here's to November!

GA