Our History
The Human Rights Campaign was founded in 1980, with a goal of raising money for congressional candidates who supported fairness. In the years that followed, the organization established itself as a resilient force in the overall movement for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender civil rights as it strived to achieve fundamental fairness and equality for all.
A Historical Snapshot
In 1980, Steve Endean, an advocate for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality, founded the Human Rights Campaign Fund to raise money for pro-fairness congressional candidates. In that era, several extremist right-wing groups, including the Moral Majority and the National Conservative Political Action Committee, were gaining notoriety, and HRCF was created in part to counter their anti-gay tactics.
Over the decades that followed, the Human Rights Campaign — which dropped the word "Fund" from its name in 1995 — expanded its mission and became a leading player in the pro-equality movement nationwide. It lobbied for fair-minded legislation in Congress, worked alongside corporate America to gain needed protections for GLBT workers and spread the message of equality to every corner of the country.
Some Notable Accomplishments of the Human Rights Campaign:
- In its first major electoral effort in 1982, HRCF donated $140,000 to 118 congressional candidates. Eighty-one percent of those candidates went on to win.
- In 1986, HRCF and its allies stopped right-wing attempts to revoke a law that aided HIV-positive Washington, D.C., residents.
- In 1990, following HRCF’s lobbying, Congress passed the Americans with Disabilities Act, which protects people with HIV and AIDS from discrimination.
- In 1992, HRCF endorsed Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton in the presidential race. After Clinton’s victory, HRCF’s executive director took part in the first meeting between GLBT leaders and a sitting president.
- In 1995, HRC created its Workplace Project, which fights for fair-minded workplace policies in corporate America.
- In 1997, HRC ran public service announcements on GLBT equality during the landmark coming out episode of the sitcom "Ellen."
- In 1998, following the murder of Matthew Shepard, HRC led the national movement supporting hate violence legislation to protect GLBT Americans.
- In 1999, thanks to HRC’s lobbying, the Senate passed a major hate crimes bill.
- After the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, HRC worked to ensure that survivors’ same-sex partners received federal relief funds.
- In 2002, HRC launched its Historically Black Colleges and Universities Program to meet the unique needs of GLBT students of color.
- After a Massachusetts court ruled in favor of marriage equality in 2003, HRC sent staff and funds to the statewide pro-fairness movement.
- Twice — in 2004 and 2006 — HRC led the successful fight against the Federal Marriage Amendment, which would have banned marriage for GLBT families.
- In 2005, HRC launched its Religion and Faith Program to reclaim the faith-based debate over GLBT issues from the radical right.
- In 2006, thanks to HRC’s policy work, two key provisions in the Pension Protection Act ensured financial protections for same-sex couples.
- In the 2006 elections, following HRC’s voter mobilization efforts, more than 200 pro-equality candidates won their races, resulting in a fair-minded majority in the U.S. Congress.
The Human Rights Campaign works each and every day to create a fair environment for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans. To become a part of that movement, join HRC today.