HRC Statement on the Death of Nelson Mandela

by Charles Joughin

Griffin: “Nelson Mandela tore down oppression, united a rainbow nation”

 WASHINGTON – Today the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, mourned the passing of Nelson Mandela and celebrated his legacy.  HRC President Chad Griffin issued the following statement:

 “Nelson Mandela tore down oppression, united a rainbow nation, and always walked arm-in-arm with his LGBT brothers and sisters—and with all people—toward freedom. Though every man, woman and child who seeks justice around the world mourns this loss, his vision of an equal future lives on undimmed.”

 Mandela, who was South Africa’s first post-Apartheid president, was an outspoken advocate for LGBT equality.  He appointed an openly-gay judge to South Africa's High Court of Appeal and during his presidency, South Africa became the first nation in the world to constitutionally prohibit sexual orientation-based discrimination.  Mandela will be remembered for his social justice activism and commitment to equality for all people. 

 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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International