HRC Increases Investment in Marriage Ballot Measure States

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FORIMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 6, 2012

MichaelCole-Schwartz

HRC Increases Investment in Marriage BallotMeasure States
$1 million cash infusion adds to earlierfunding and significant on-the-ground work
Washington – Today theHuman Rights Campaign, the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual andtransgender civil rights organization, announced a further cash investment of$1 million in the four states facing marriage-related ballot measures in November– Maine, Maryland, Minnesota and Washington.  The cash infusion bringsHRC’s contributions to legislative and electoral marriage issues in the2011-2012 cycle to $4.8 million.

“This is atipping point year in the fight for marriage equality that requires significantinvestment,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “We are committed to making surethis is the year that our opponents can no longer claim Americans will notsupport marriage equality at the ballot box.”

Nationally,support for marriage equality is at 54 percent accordingto a June 2012 CNN poll.  Additionally public polls in Maine, Marylandand Washington show majorities of voters favoring marriage for committed gayand lesbian couples and polls in Minnesota also show voters there opposing thediscriminatory constitutional amendment.

HRC hasestablished a special ballot measure PAC to aid funding of all fourstates.  Today’s $1 million contribution will be split evenly among Maine,Maryland, Minnesota and Washington. 

“Bans onmarriage for same-sex couples have sent the devastating message to young peoplethat they cannot grow up to live their dreams and be full and equal citizens,”said Griffin. “This is the year we will change that.”

In Maine,voters will be asked for the first time in the country to affirmatively passmarriage for gays and lesbians at the ballot box. Voters in Maryland andWashington are being asked to affirm legislatively passed marriage equalitylaws. In Minnesota, voters will consider a constitutional amendment to ban gayand lesbian couples from marriage.  

“All ofthese campaigns are winnable but they need resources to educate voters andfight back the lies from groups like the National Organization for Marriage,”said Griffin. “The country is moving in the direction of equality and a win inany of these states will show that marriage equality is quickly becoming amainstream, American value.”

TheHuman Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working toachieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring andengaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizensand realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.
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