Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Local LGBT Leaders Join HRC to Announce Endorsement of Scott Peters for Congress 

SAN DIEGO – San Diego LGBT leaders joined the The Human Rights Campaign – the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization – today to announce their endorsement of Rep. Scott Peters for re-election to the U.S. House in California’s 52nd district. Peters has a stellar record on LGBT equality and has been steadfast in his support of marriage equality in California and across the country.

"Scott Peters has proved himself to be a leader and a strong advocate for equality," said Fred Sainz, HRC Vice President for Communications. "As the nation moves rapidly to embrace full LGBT equality, Scott’s voice on Capitol Hill will echo those of his fair-minded constituents and Americans across the country."

"I've been proud to work alongside HRC for years in the fight for full equal rights for everyone," Peters said. "My father fought for racial equality during the civil rights movement when I was young, and I'm proud to continue that legacy at the forefront of the battle for full LGBT equality, the most important civil rights issue of our time."

In San Diego, members of HRC San Diego were joined by City Council President Todd Gloria, former State Senator Christine Kehoe, and Stampp Corbin, former Co-Chair of the 2008 Obama for America presidential campaign's National LGBT Leadership Council, and National Board of Directors emeritus for the Human Rights Campaign, 1995-2003, and other community leaders.

"Scott Peters has demonstrated throughout his career the ability to achieve bipartisan progress and the courage to speak out for equal rights," said Council President Gloria. "He has the deeply-held sense of justice and commitment to full equality that San Diegans can count on to move our country closer to achieving the civil rights victory of our generation."

Scott Peters "is a long-time true supporter of full equality for LGBT San Diegans," said former Senator Christine Kehoe, who was the city's first openly gay elected official. "And more than that, he's able to work with all parties to get things done, to move things forward, to avoid gridlock, and to be a strong representative for the people of his congressional district, for our city, and for our state."

"Scott Peters has always been on the side of justice equality and fundamental fairness for all Americans," said Tanner Songer, political co-chair of HRC San Diego, echoing the endorsement of the national organization. "The greatest challenges lie ahead of us, and we can't continue our momentum without allies like Scott on our side."

"For the LGBT community, the choice could not be more clear: One political party that supports our equality and one that doesn't," emphasized Corbin. "So when you cast your vote in November, as I will with all my heart, that vote should be for Congressman Scott Peters' reelection."

County Supervisor Dave Roberts also issued an endorsement statement, saying:

"Congressman Scott Peters deserves the support of the LGBT community. He has been a stalwart supporter of equality. Congressman Peters works hard for all San Diego County residents. It is important to me that elected officials work together, regardless of party affiliation. We agree that the citizens and our region come first."

Peters is a strong supporter of LGBT equality, including marriage equality. He is a cosponsor of the Respect for Marriage Act (RMA) which would repeal the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in its entirety. He also is also a cosponsor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), the Safe Schools Improvement Act, the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act and other key legislation.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

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