HRC Blog

Playing Politics with LGBT Equality

June 20, 2012 by Dan Rafter, Online Campaigns Manager

The man running against Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown has changed his position on benefits for LGBT couples, according to a recent Letter to the Editor in the Cleveland Plain Dealer. From the LTE:

Young people today expect equal rights for LGBT individuals, and when they're not given, they're demanded. Twelve years ago, an Ohio State University student government president called on the university to support domestic-partner benefits. That student was Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel.

Obama has said his stance on gay marriage has evolved over time; Mandel's stance, however, appears to have devolved. As a state representative, Mandel voted against adding protections for sexual orientation to anti-discrimination laws and said he was wrong for supporting domestic-partner benefits in college. Mandel has made it clear he has no true position and his votes are for sale to special interests.

Unlike Mandel, Brown has a solid track record supporting LGBT equality – he has consistently scored a 100 on HRC’s Congressional Scorecard. To support Brown and other fair-minded candidates this election cycle, visit HRC’s 2012 PAC.

Paid for by HRC PAC and authorized by Friends of Sherrod Brown