HRC’s New Municipal Equality Index Details the State of LGBT Equality in Three Ohio Cities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 27, 2012
Paul Guequierre 
Kim Welter

HRC’s New Municipal Equality Index Details the State of LGBT Equality in Three Ohio Cities

First of its kind nationwide evaluation of LGBT inclusion in municipal law and policy finds cities need to do more to protect LGBT employees and citizens

WASHINGTON—A new report on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) equality in America’s cities by the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBT civil rights organization, rated 137 cities across the nation, including Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Columbus. The Municipal Equality Index (MEI), the first ever rating system of LGBT inclusion in municipal law, finds that while many U.S. cities lag behind in protections for LGBT people, some of the most LGBT-friendly policies in the country have been innovated and implemented at the municipal level, including in states with laws that are unfriendly to the LGBT community. The MEI was issued in partnership with the Equality Federation Institute and the Gay and Lesbian Victory Institute. The average score for cities in Ohio is 79 out of 100 points, which is in line with the national average. Cincinnati and Cleveland both scored 77 points, and Columbus scored 83.

Key findings from the MEI create a snapshot of LGBT equality in137 municipalities of varying sizes drawn from every state in the nation – these include the 50 state capitals, the 50 most populous cities in the country, and the 25 large, 25 mid-size, and 25 small municipalities with the highest proportion of same-sex couples.

The 100-point cities in the MEI serve as shining examples of LGBT inclusivity, with excellent policies ranging from non-discrimination laws, equal employee benefits, and cutting-edge city services.  As America moves forward in support of LGBT equality, cities across the country are on the forefront of this movement.  Cities in every region of the country are fighting for equality at the most intimate level of government.  At the same time, cities across the country also have room for improvement.  The MEI articulates a path forward and celebrates the success of cities doing this important work. 

MEI at a glance:

·    Eleven of the 137 cities surveyed earned a perfect score of 100 points – these cities came from both coasts and in between, were of varying sizes, and not all are in states with favorable laws for LGBT people; 

·    A quarter of the cities rated scored over 80 points;

·    45 percent of cites surveyed obtained a score of 60 or higher; 

·    Nearly a third of cites scored between 40 and 60 points, showing good intentions on behalf of municipal governments but also opportunity for improvement; and 

·    Just under a quarter of the cities scored less than 20 points, including eight cities that scored under ten points and three that scored zero. 

The MEI rates cities based on 47 criteria falling under six broad categories:

·       Non-discrimination laws;

·       Relationship recognition;

·       The municipality’s employment practices;

·       Inclusiveness of city services;

·       Law enforcement; and

·       Municipal leadership.

In today’s world, cities must compete for business and brain power.   Research shows that to do this, they must treat their LGBT citizens with dignity and respect. Acclaimed Professor Richard Florida authored the forward for the MEI. Professor Florida is a pioneer in research into how the nurturing of a “creative class” (entrepreneurs, artists and architects, researchers, scientists, engineers, and other professionals) creates prosperous, economically competitive cities.

“Equality Ohio has a long history of working with Ohio’s cities, including Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Columbus, providing model policies, examples from other Ohio cities, impact data and help with local organizing around moving municipal ordinances forward,” said Elyzabeth Holford, Executive Director of Equality Ohio. “While the State of Ohio has lagged behind the rest of the country in statewide protections for LGBT Ohioans, Ohio’s major cities understand that for a city to succeed in today’s economy, all its residents need to feel safe, free to bring all of themselves to where they live, work and play.” 

“Our nation is on an irreversible path forward in LGBT equality and local and state-level advocacy ensures our voices are heard in public squares across the country” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “This index gives advocates and municipal lawmakers a potent tool to improve the lives of LGBT people.”

"Advances at the local level are often unheralded, but they are critical to building the momentum we need for statewide and federal victories," said Rebecca Isaacs, Executive Director of Equality Federation Institute. "The Municipal Equality Index not only recognizes the remarkable progress that state equality groups and local partners have made in cities and towns across the country, but is a powerful tool to help push local governments to do better."

"The freedom to be ourselves is most important where we live, work and raise our families.  That's why it's so crucial that local and municipal governments understand the need to make life better for LGBT people. We work hard to make sure openly LGBT people participate in government as elected and appointed officials, and the MEI will be a great resource for them," said Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Institute.
The full report, including long form scorecards for every city and a searchable database, is available online at www.hrc.org/mei.

Equality Ohio envisions an Ohio where everyone feels at home and where equality, diversity and inclusiveness are universally valued. The organization is based in Columbus at 61 Jefferson Ave, Columbus, OH 43215. 

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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HRC Airing National Television Ad Following Marriage Equality Victories

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 25, 2012

Paul Guequierre

HRC Airing National Television Ad Following Marriage Equality Victories

Morgan Freeman voices spot touting “a dawn of a new day”

WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, today announced a national television ad campaign following on the historic victories for marriage equality at the ballot box this year.  The ad titled "Dawn of a New Day" and voiced by Academy Award Winner Morgan Freeman, began running today and is available below and online at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdnxMFs8tTk.

“This year proved to be a pivotal turning point in the movement for marriage equality and now we press onward with renewed vigor and public opinion squarely on our side," said HRC President Chad Griffin.  "As we continue the march toward full equality in legislatures and the courts, it is crystal clear that the prospect of an equal future is no longer up for debate; the question now is how soon it will arrive. While we celebrate today, we will keep fighting until full equality has reached every single person in every corner of this vast country.”

More at www.hrc.org/Marriage.

 

Ad script:

America stands at the dawn of a new day.

Freedom, justice and human dignity have always guided our journey toward a more perfect union.

Now across our country, we are standing together for the right of gay and lesbian Americans to marry the person they love. 

And with historic victories for marriage, we’ve delivered a mandate for full equality.

The wind is at our back. But our journey has just begun.

Join us.


  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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Visit the Short North on Black Friday and receive a preferred-shopper BLACK CARD.

BLACK FRIDAY IS THE ONE DAY to get your SHORT NORTH BLACK CARD Visit the Short North on Black Friday and receive   a preferred-shopper BLACK CARD. Once activated, your card will become your key   to accessing a month-long series of   extreme discounts, special offers and exclusive promotions   available only to BLACK CARD holders. From November 23 through December 23,   participating shops, galleries and restaurants   will announce daily specials via email to BLACK CARD holders. Check the specials. Visit the businesses. Show your BLACK CARD. Take advantage of the deals. BLACK CARDS will be available one day only.   Friday, November 23.  Visit any of these participating stores to get yours! Bink Davies Brigade Camelot Cellars The Chamber Cookware Sorcerer Dames Bond Marketplace Fitness Resources, Inc. Flora Home and Garden Fringe The Garden Grid Furnishings High Street Denim Impero Coffee Roasters The Joint Kingsrowe Brand La Fogata Ladybird Lamp Shade Mary Catherines Antiques MiddleWest Spirits Old World New Home pm gallery Phia Salon Reverse Vanity Spa Rivet Rowe Boutique Sherrie Gallerie Sole Classics Substance for Fashion Conscious People T. David Three Dog Bakery Tigertree What the Rock? Whit's Frozen Custard Yoga On High Zoom Room

HRC - National Organization for Marriage Sees One-Third Decline in Contributions for 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 16, 2012
Dan Rafter

National Organization for Marriage Sees One-Third Decline in Contributions for 2011; Two Donors Provided 75 Percent of Funding

Momentum for LGBT equality is taking a steep toll on the financial state of the nation’s leading anti-gay group

Washington – The National Organization for Marriage (NOM) saw a steep decline in the amount of money it raised in 2011 – dropping to $6.2 million from the $9.1 million it raised the previous year. Just two donors were responsible for funding 75 percent of the anti-gay group – the organization reported two donations of approximately $2.4 million each. The information is available in NOM’s 2011 990, which NOM made available this evening after HRC requested the documents in-person at their Washington, D.C. office earlier this morning.

“The National Organization for Marriage continues to push the notion that there is some sort of grassroots support for their discriminatory anti-gay agenda,” said HRC Vice President of Communications Fred Sainz. “Last week, that notion was soundly rejected by voters in Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, and Washington State. Now, NOM’s own financial records are serving as the latest proof that support for LGBT equality is common-sense and mainstream. NOM is nothing more than a conduit channeling the anti-gay agenda of a few secretive, wealthy donors.”

The sharp drop in funding is notable also because NOM experienced significant financial growth each year since its founding in 2007, when it was formed to demonize LGBT people in California as part of efforts to pass Proposition 8. 2011 marks the first year in which the anti-gay group’s funding declined.

NOM’s 2011 990 is available here. In addition to illustrating that more than $4.7 million of NOM’s total $6.2 million reported came from just two mysterious mega-donors, the documents also reveal some interesting information about NOM’s closest affiliates. For example, NOM paid $870,000 to CC Advertising – a group HRC recently filed an FCC complaint against for spamming unsuspecting cell phone users with anti-gay, anti-Obama text messages. The organization also paid nearly $375,000 to Frank Schubert, their ad guru who makes his living largely off of promoting anti-LGBT propaganda.

NOM spent upwards of $5.7 million on attempts to prevent marriage equality in Maine, Maryland, and Washington; write discrimination in Minnesota’s constitution; and politicize Iowa’s judicial system. Voters in all five states soundly rejected NOM’s discriminatory messaging. The anti-gay organization remains embroiled in several legal battles over revealing the identities of the few mega-donors who fund their work.

More background on NOM, including information on the organization’s leadership and details on its close financial ties to religious institutions such as the Roman Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus and the Church of Latter Day Saints, is available via HRC’s NOM Exposed project at www.nomexposed.org.

The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender political organization with members throughout the country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and educates the public to ensure that LGBT Americans can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.

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Columbus Dispatch - Radon remedy: Surge in testing fuels modifications to area homes

The story and more valuable information is here

Radon — the odorless, colorless gas found in Ohio soil — isn’t so invisible anymore.
The number of Ohio homes tested for the gas has skyrocketed the past few years after dropping during the recession.

Last year, 23,494 Ohio properties were tested for radon, compared with 1,464 in 2007, according to the Ohio Department of Health.

About half the tests detect radon levels above the Environmental Protection Agency’s safe limit of 4.0 picocuries per liter.

The result: Radon mitigation “stacks” — plastic pipes typically attached to the side of a house to draw the gas away — are appearing throughout the state. During the past two years, almost 11,000 mitigation systems have been installed in Ohio.

Because most radon tests are done for potential buyers when a house is being sold, sellers typically bear the $1,000 cost to install the systems before the deal can go through.

“For the most part, it’s a free radon stack for the buyers,” said Dan Fenters, a Coldwell Banker King Thompson agent in Hilliard.

Radon testing and mitigation have become so common that Fenters and other agents try to brace sellers for the expense.

“When we’re meeting with sellers now during the listing appointment, we’re discussing it with them upfront,” Fenters said. “You can almost guarantee you will put in a radon system.”

To help spread the word, the Ohio Department of Health has started offering radon classes to real-estate agents.

While homeowners and real-estate agents might be frustrated by the cost and appearance of the stacks, health officials are delighted by the increase in testing, which they say could save hundreds or even thousands of lives.

Radon, which derives from the natural breakdown of uranium in the soil, can seep into homes through cracks in the basement.

According to the U.S. surgeon general, the gas is the second-leading cause of lung cancer, behind smoking. The EPA estimates that radon is responsible for 21,000 of the nation’s 160,000 annual lung cancer deaths.

A radon belt stretching from New York to the upper Plains runs through central Ohio, which has some of the state’s highest radon levels.

“In the state of Ohio, more people die of lung cancer than any other cancer,” said Donna Jurden, the Ohio Department of Health’s radon outreach and education coordinator. “We want to focus on what radon is and how it gets in, and ultimately we want to prevent people from dying of lung cancer. That’s the ultimate goal.”

Education, not a rise in radon levels, is driving the huge jump in radon testing, Jurden said.

“There are more people requesting the test in real-estate transactions,” she said. “That’s why it appears to Realtors that levels are increasing. Based on the physics of radon, it can’t increase.”

The percentage of homes testing positive for radon varies from year to year, but for the past 15 years it has stayed between 35 and 58 percent, with no clear trend up or down, according to the Ohio Department of Health, which collects data from testing companies across the state.

Jurden acknowledges, though, that the department has received complaints alleging that testers rig the results to show elevated radon levels, allowing them to then get a contract to install a mitigation system.

She says the department has found no basis for the complaints, but to avoid a conflict of interest, the department strongly recommends that radon tests be performed by a company that does not also install the mitigation systems.

Ken Harrington, owner of Kustom Home Inspection in Delaware, a licensed radon tester, said rigging the test is impossible.“You cannot go in and manipulate those results,” he said. “It is what it is.”

But Harrington and others familiar with radon testing acknowledge that the tests can appear finicky because results can change from room to room and even from hour to hour.

That is why regulators and testers recommend a long-term test of at least 60 days, although they know the two- or three-day test kit is more likely to be used during a real-estate transaction.

“When you do a short-term radon test, you’re taking a snapshot,” said Dan West, owner of Radon Systems in Westerville, one of the state’s oldest radon testers. “Is that indicative of what it will be in a month? No, it has nothing to do with it. It only says what it is during that time frame.”

According to the EPA and a Consumer Reports study in April, the long-term kits are more accurate because radon levels can vary widely from day to day.

After testing 11 kits, the magazine found only two reliable enough to recommend: the AccuStar Alpha Track Test Kit ($28), which requires three to 12 months of testing; and the RTCA 4 Pass Charcoal Canister ($22), which requires two to seven days.

The most common remedy for elevated radon levels is to drill a hole in the basement floor, install a pipe into the ground and run the pipe out of the home along the outside wall. The system is designed to give radon a place to go instead of into the house.

In many cases, a fan is added to the pipe to help draw radon out of the ground.

Such systems typically cost from $800 to $1,200. The cost can escalate dramatically if the homeowner wants to hide the pipe in the home’s walls.

Buyers of new homes in three central Ohio communities don’t need to worry about installing radon mitigation systems. Canal Winchester, Dublin and Pickerington require contractors to install the systems in new homes.

To meet the requirement in new homes, contractors must add a thicker plastic membrane under the basement slab; run a pipe from below the slab through the roof; caulk the seam between the basement floor and basement wall; and install an electrical outlet near the pipe to accommodate a fan if needed. In new homes, the pipes are hidden in the walls.

Jurden, with the state’s health department, would like all new homes to be built with radon mitigation. She would also like to see homes tested more routinely, not simply when a home sells.

“We don’t want that to stop. It’s an excellent time to test. But we want homes tested prior to that, too.”

Fall home sales in Central Ohio show no signs of slowing down

Fall home sales show no signs of slowing down

Central Ohio homes sales in October were up for the tenth consecutive month. There were 1,964 residential sales during the month of October, a 23.2 percent increase from the 1,594 home sales in October 2011, according to the Columbus Board of REALTORS®.

Homes closed during the month of October sold for an average of $163,925, 10.1 percent higher than just one year ago. 

“Even though the inventory isn’t as high as mid-summer, you have more serious buyers and sellers,” said Jim Coridan, President of the Columbus Board of REALTORS®. “Many buyers who had planned to buy before the fall are still out there looking for their dream home.”

The number of new listings on the market is up 12 percent (2,764) from last year and actually increased by 1 percent from the previous month. Total inventory of homes (10,717) stands at 31.5 percent less than 2011.

“2012 has been the best year in real estate in central Ohio since 2007,” said Coridan. “Just because their home didn’t sell in the summer doesn’t mean buyers aren’t still out there; homeowners have recognized the advantages of selling in the fall.”

According to the latest Housing Market Confidence Index (by the Ohio Association of REALTORS®), 84 percent of central Ohio REALTORS® describe the current housing market as moderate to strong and 68 percent expect home prices to remain the same or rise in the next year. They also report that the typical client today is looking for a mid-range home purchase.

Full report. 

Equality Ohio Announces Appointment of New Executive Director

Equality Ohio Announces Appointment of New Executive Director

Attorney Will Bring Social Justice and Organizational Development Experience to Ohio

For immediate release
Media Contact: Kim Welter
November 13, 2012 (Columbus, Ohio) - 

Today, the Equality Ohio boards of directors announced the selection of Elyzabeth Joy Holford as the organization’s fourth Executive Director. Ms. Holford was chosen following a national search initiated in July 2012. She will lead Equality Ohio bringing over twenty years of leadership experience as an attorney, an educator and a business professional in both the public and private sectors.

Paul Feeney, Chair of the Board for Equality Ohio Education Fund, said “Elyzabeth’s extensive experience in organizational development will be a valuable asset to Equality Ohio. She is an extremely smart, engaging, energetic and all-around delightful person. I am thrilled that Elyzabeth will be on our team to help create ‘an Ohio where everyone feels at home.’”

Ms. Holford began her career as a trial attorney with Ohio State Legal Services Association. Her leadership expertise was sharpened through various roles during her twelve year career in academics with Virginia Tech as a tenured associate professor, director of the office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action, and director of two separate campuses. Ms. Holford left academics to pursue international organizational consulting in both the nonprofit and profit sectors. Ms. Holford’s work demonstrates consistent commitment to social justice and a proven ability to achieve measurable results. 

About leading Equality Ohio, Ms. Holford said, "I feel fortunate to be returning home to Ohio at this pivotal moment in time. Ohio is poised to provide full rights and recognition to all of its citizens and Equality Ohio has the team and the capacity to lead this effort.”

Ms. Holford will start with the organization November 26, 2012.

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Equality Ohio envisions an Ohio where everyone feels at home and where equality, diversity and inclusiveness are universally valued. The organization is based in Columbus at 61 Jefferson Ave, Columbus, OH 43215.

HRC- Corporate America Stands with the LGBT Community

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 14, 2012
Paul Guequierre

The New Normal: Corporate America Stands with the LGBT Community

 Record numbers of businesses earn top score in HRC’s 2013 Corporate Equality Index

WASHINGTON – On the heels of historic electoral victories for marriage equality last week, corporate America has shown once again it is on the right side of history when it comes to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) equality.  Workplace discrimination protections are the new normal in the business world, while the federal government and many state governments lag behind in addressing discrimination against LGBT workers.

Businesses are also coming out in record numbers in support of marriage equality.  This new reality is reflected in the fierce competition between companies to recruit and retain the best employees and to influence consumer choices, and has resulted in the improved lives of millions of LGBT Americans. That’s according to the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index (CEI), the national benchmarking tool on corporate policies and practices related to LGBT employees.

In the 2013 CEI, released today, a record 252 businesses achieved the top rating of 100 percent, earning the coveted distinction of “Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality.”  As a point of comparison, 13 businesses earned a 100 percent in the inaugural CEI 11 years ago, demonstrating that a new normal has arrived.  The policies, benefits and practices businesses must implement to earn a perfect score are best-in-class demonstrations of corporate commitments to LGBT workers.

The top rated businesses span across industries, geographies, and size.  View the full report at www.hrc.org/cei. 
“Corporate America continues to raise the bar in workplace fairness,” said HRC President Chad Griffin.  “LGBT-inclusive workplace policies are not only the right thing to do and good business practices, they are the new normal.  Americans have spoken, and as we celebrate our victories at the ballot box, we hope Congress will follow corporate America’s lead and create a level playing field – including passing fully-inclusive workplace non-discrimination legislation.” 

This year’s report at a glance:

• A record 74 major businesses and law firms publicly supported pro-equality legislation at the state and federal levels – including those that took an active role in the marriage campaigns this fall.
• The 2013 CEI saw the largest growth in the survey’s history with 54 new businesses participating.  The number of employers officially rated in the CEI has skyrocketed from 319 in 2002, to 688 this year, a jump of 116 percent.     
• This year’s CEI marks the first time a majority of Fortune 500 companies have nondiscrimination policies that cover gender identity (from 50 percent to 57 percent), while an astonishing 84 percent of overall CEI participants cover gender identity.  
• Transgender-inclusive healthcare coverage continues to rise. Now in its second year as a mandatory criterion for a company to earn 100 percent, 287 (42 percent) participating companies offer comprehensive healthcare coverage to their transgender workers, up from 19 percent last year.

While basic protections for LGBT employees have become the norm, record numbers of American businesses have also updated their larger benefits packages, adding “soft benefits” for LGBT workers, including things like retirement benefits to domestic partners and relocation assistance.  With benefits accounting for roughly 20 percent of an employee’s compensation, companies recognize this as a matter of equal pay for equal work.

Over the past 11 years, the CEI has become the gold standard for corporate policies and practices related to LGBT employees and their families.  The CEI rates companies on 40 such policies and practices.  A total of 889 businesses have been rated in the 2013 CEI, including the entire Fortune 500. This year a record 293 of the Fortune 500-ranked businesses have an official CEI rating, with the other 201 rated based upon publicly-available data.

View the full report at www.hrc.org/cei.

As the CEI has proven over the last decade, such a project can propel equality forward by sparking competition and raising awareness about what inequalities persist.  On December 3, HRC will release the inaugural Municipal Equality Index, which rates 137 cities on how inclusive their laws, policies, and city services are. 

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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HRC - LGB and Allied Voters Critical to 2012 Electoral Successes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 13, 2012

LGB and Allied Voters Critical to 2012 Electoral Successes

President’s marriage equality support a net political boon;

HRC post-election poll shows LGBT cultural sea-change

WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, today released results of a post-election poll showing a cultural sea-change on LGBT equality reflected in voters’ attitudes.

“Last week’s results make clear that equality was a winner at the polls and confirms the inherent fairness of the American people,” said HRC President Chad Griffin.  “The President proved that support for marriage equality is not just the right thing to do but also a path toward electoral success.”

Whereas in 2004, LGBT issues – and marriage in particular – were used as wedge issues to drive conservative turnout, 2012 is remarkable in that the opposite has happened.  In only eight years, marriage has gone from a wedge for the right, to a motivator for progressives, youth and even independents.

President Obama’s national popular vote margin was 3,305,710 votes.  As 5 percent of the electorate, 6,043,599 lesbian, gay and bisexual people voted overall, favoring the president with 76 percent of their votes, equaling 4,593,136 people.  Had the LGB population voted the same as the national average, President Obama would have only received 3,082,235 LGB votes.  In other words, because the LGB community swung so significantly to President Obama, he received 1,510,901 more LGB votes – an astounding 45.7% of the President’s total popular vote margin.

Total Americans voting	120,871,984
Total LGB voters (5% of electorate)	6,043,599
President Obama’s national popular vote (51% of all voters)	62,088,847
President Obama’s national popular vote margin over Mitt Romney	3,305,710
LGB votes for President Obama (76% of total LGB votes)	4,593,136
President Obama’s LGB votes if the demographic group only voted for him at the national average of 51%	3,082,235
Additional LGB votes President Obama received above the 51% national average	1,510,901
Percent of President Obama’s national popular vote margin due to LGB voters	45.7%

Among the findings in the poll conducted for HRC by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research:

·         Obama voters were twice as likely to say that the marriage issue was important to their vote (42 percent) than Romney voters (23 percent)

o   However, in an open ended question where voters were asked the most important reason to vote against the President’s re-election, only 2 percent cited "gay marriage."

·         Marriage equality supporters have more intensity than marriage equality opponents:

o   Among supporters of marriage equality, 40 percent said the issue was important to them compared to 33 percent among opponents of marriage equality

·         There is no evidence that this issue mobilized base Republican voters:

o   There are more Romney voters that support marriage equality (27 percent) than Obama voters that oppose marriage equality (18 percent)

·         Marriage equality support maintains a national majority – including among diverse demographics:

o   Consistent with pre-election surveys, half of 2012 voters favor marriage equality

o   This position reflects strong support among Democrats (71 percent) and a solid majority among Independents (53 percent), as well as support among African Americans (55 percent) and Latinos (58 percent)

“Both parties should be vying for the votes of the LGBT community and our allies,” said Griffin.  “With the growing breadth and depth of our electoral power, no one should take our votes for granted.”

This fair-minded majority resulted in landslide victories up and down the ballot for LGBT Americans.  Aside from President Obama’s reelection, voters sent the first openly gay U.S. Senator to Washington in Tammy Baldwin, increased the number of openly gay and bisexual members of Congress, affirmed marriage equality at the ballot in Maine, Maryland and Washington, defeated a discriminatory marriage amendment in Minnesota, retained an Iowa Supreme Court Justice who decided for marriage equality, and built up state legislative majorities for relationship recognition in states like Colorado and Minnesota.

The full memo on the survey is available at: www.hrc.org/files/assets/resources/Election2012_memo.pdf
More on HRC’s electoral victories is available at: www.hrc.org/election

The survey, commissioned by the Human Rights Campaign and conducted by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research, was of 1,001 voters nationally who participated in the 2012 election. It was conducted between November 5th and 7th, 2012 among those who had already voted or were almost certain they would vote in the 2012 election and carries an overall margin of error of +/- 3.10.

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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HRC - Washington State Votes for Full Equality

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 7, 2012
Paul Guequierre 

Washington State Votes for Full Equality

Marriage win rounds out landslide sweep of ballot measures

 WASHINGTON -- Upon news that Washington State voters affirmed marriage equality at the ballot box, Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin issued the following statement:

“Washington voters sent a resounding message that nothing less than marriage is full equality for gay and lesbian couples. This victory rounds out a landslide sweep of all four marriage ballot measures this November.

“We stood with Washingtonians in passing and protecting Domestic Partnerships and we could not be more proud to have stood with them every step of the way in this campaign.  This win is a sure sign that momentum is on our side, and with the growing majority of Americans supporting marriage equality, more states will soon join Washington in protecting all families.

“This win would not have been possible without Governor Gregoire’s steadfast commitment and the leadership of the business community in the state, putting themselves squarely on the right side of history.

“Washington United for Marriage ran a remarkable campaign under the leadership of Zach Silk and HRC’s steering committee and board member Lacey All were in the fight from the very beginning.”

HRC is proud to have contributed more than $1.4 million to advance marriage equality in Washington.  The organization also sent 600,000 emails to supporters of marriage equality and we’ve helped recruit nearly 1,000 volunteers and sent staff to work on the campaign.

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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HRC - Landslide Victory for LGBT Equality Up and Down the Ballot

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 7, 2012
Paul Guequierre 

Landslide Victory for LGBT Equality Up and Down the Ballot

From marriage campaigns to reelecting President Obama and other priorities, LGBT Americans were the big winners on election night

WASHINGTON – Today the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender civil rights organization, reacted to the overwhelming electoral victories for LGBT people, calling it a milestone year with a clear mandate for equality moving forward.  For the past two years, HRC has been laying the groundwork for our largest mobilization effort ever to ensure 2012 is a turning point year for LGBT equality.  HRC and our energetic supporters have raised and contributed more than $20 million to reelect President Obama and to advance marriage equality and other electoral priorities this cycle.  On marriage equality, HRC invested $8.4 million this cycle to include $5.5 million in the four marriage ballot measure states.

HRC President Chad Griffin released the following statement:

“When the history books are written, 2012 will be remembered as the year when LGBT Americans won decisively at the ballot box.  The dreams of millions of fair-minded Americans were realized as discrimination crumbled and equality prevailed.”

Marriage Wins at Ballot Box for First Time

“For the first time, voters in Maine and Maryland voted to allow loving couples to make lifelong commitments through marriage – forever taking away the right-wing talking point that marriage equality couldn’t win on the ballot.  No amount of well-funded lies about our families could deceive Mainers and Marylanders.  We await results in Minnesota and Washington State but remain optimistic that they will be successful as well.  The momentum for marriage equality has never been stronger, and with poll after poll showing a growing majority of support, we have a renewed certainty that we will win this fight.

Pro-Marriage Equality President Wins Reelection

“As millions of Americans celebrate President Obama’s reelection tonight, the LGBT community is particularly elated to return the most pro-equality President ever to a second term.  There is no doubt that we will continue to see tremendous strides forward like we’ve made during his first four years with our Ally-in-Chief back in office.  While some pundits predicted the President’s support for marriage equality would hinder his campaign, we know the opposite is true.  His historic and heartfelt declaration that all loving and committed couples should be able to marry further motivated millions of voters and sparked conversations that led to wins for marriage at the ballot box.  His win is further proof of the marriage equality movement’s momentum.

First Openly Gay Senator

“Another milestone was celebrated as Senator-elect Tammy Baldwin has again earned her spot in the history books. As the first openly gay person elected to the United States Senate, she is a role model for LGBT youth and all young women across the country. With a relentless focus on the issues that matter most to Wisconsin voters – economic security, access to healthcare, and fairness and inclusion for all – Senator-elect Baldwin earned the respect of all her constituents, gay and straight.

Pickup of Fair-Minded and Openly LGB Members of Congress

“For LGBT youth who aspire to public service, we have shattered a glass by sending Tammy Baldwin to the Senate and increasing the number openly LGB members of Congress.  In the Senate we have at least three new marriage equality supporters who proudly declared their support for marriage for gay and lesbian couples on the campaign trail.

Voters Retain Iowa Justice Who Decided for Marriage

“It appears that Iowans have made a strong statement for judicial independence and refused to let politics get in the way of judges doing their duty to uphold the law. Anti-gay groups trying to exact political retribution on judges should learn their lesson.  Marriage equality remains the law of the land in Iowa and judges like Justice Wiggins will continue to do their jobs.

LGBT Voters Flex Political Muscle, Break for President

“Our community has flexed our political muscle with exit polls showing an increase from 4 percent of the vote in 2008 to 5 percent this year.  And the President gained many more supporters among lesbian, gay and bisexual voters – jumping seven points to garner 77% of our vote.

Moving Forward

“Tonight we celebrate, but tomorrow morning we get up and get back to work so that the victories we hail tonight are felt everywhere across this great country.  Too many people are denied the ability to marry.  Too many people go to their jobs without workplace protections.  Too many young people go to bed at night and stare at the ceiling, sleeplessly wondering what awaits them the next day at school or at church or in their own home.  Thanks to all the hard work in achieving tonight’s victories, we finally have momentum on our side and we will not rest until the promise of equal justice under the law is realized for every single person living in every single corner of this vast country.”

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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