Human Rights Campaign PAC Endorses Pro-Equality Champion Abdul El-Sayed for U.S. Senate

LANSING, MI - Today the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) PAC, the nation's largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, announced its endorsement of Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan's U.S. Senate race. A victory by El-Sayed in November is essential to securing a pro-equality majority in Congress to combat the discriminatory policies and gross government overreach of the Trump administration.

"Abdul El-Sayed is a doctor, a fighter, and exactly the kind of leader Michigan needs right now," said HRC President Kelley Robinson. "While his opponent has spent his career making life harder for Michiganders, Abdul has spent his making it better - for everyone. He's a proven public servant and champion for equality. The Human Rights Campaign is proud to stand with him and go all in to send him to the Senate this November."

"I'm proud to have the Human Rights Campaign standing with us in this race," said Abdul El-Sayed. "LGBTQ+ Michiganders deserve leaders who will have their backs when it matters most, not just when it's politically convenient. That's the commitment I've carried throughout my career in Detroit and Wayne County, and in the United States Senate, I'll fight to ensure every Michigander can live without discrimination and never have to wonder whether their rights will still be there tomorrow."

Abdul El-Sayed has a history of fighting for equal rights for everyone, including the LGBTQ+ community in Michigan:

• El-Sayed led Detroit's Ryan White HIV program and partnered with LGBT Detroit to make public health services more open and affirming for LGBTQ+ residents;
• Using his public health expertise, he's committed to restoring federal HIV and PrEP funding gutted by the Trump Administration;
• Refuses corporate PAC money while being outspoken on trans rights;
• Vows to be a "lion for LGBTQ+ rights " in the Senate.

On the other hand, El-Sayed is running against anti-LGBTQ+ former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, whose extremist record is clear:

• Called being gay a "lifestyle choice" and said he wouldn't support marriage equality even if his own child were gay;
• Voted against the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act;
• Voted multipletimes against marriage equality;
• Voted against the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," the discriminatory military policy that caused LGBTQ+ service members to be discharged for who they are or who they love;
• Voted against a fully-inclusive Violence Against Women Act (VAWA);
• Voted against the Affordable Care Act, which bans insurance companies from discriminating against people with pre-existing conditions and LGBTQ+ patients;
• Scored 0/100 on every HRC Congressional Scorecard released while he was in office.

HRC's Commitment to Michigan

Equality Voters - including more than 2.4 million in Michigan - are a powerful and diverse voting bloc united by support for LGBTQ+ equality. Equality Voters are younger, more racially diverse, and more female than the general electorate, and they recognize and trust the HRC brand. And according to new HRC Foundation data, LGBTQ+ adults make up nearly 11 percent of Michigan's population. HRC PAC has made significant investments in Michigan over the years, working to mobilize those Equality Voters and elect pro-equality champions up and down the ballot.