Washington - The Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, announced today the endorsement of Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) in the 2010 U.S. Senate race. Gillibrand is the first U.S. Senator from New York to support full marriage equality for same-sex couples.

"Senator Gillibrand has emerged as one of the strongest advocates in the Senate for full equality for the LGBT community," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. "From her personal lobbying of the New York legislature in support of marriage rights to helping garner support for a Senate hearing on repealing 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' Gillibrand has time and again stood for fairness for all."

"I am very honored to once again have the endorsement of the Human Rights Campaign," said Sen. Gillibrand. "Equality, civil rights, and equal justice for the LGBT community must be a clarion call for our party and our generation. This is the civil rights march of our generation. We must continue to push every day to repeal DADT, repeal DOMA, and provide equal protections in the work place for all Americans. There is far more support for our cause than people realize. Let's continue working together to write a new chapter of equality in this country."

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's record for the LGBT community includes:

Born and raised in upstate New York, Gillibrand won her first Congressional campaign in 2006 and was appointed to the U.S. Senate in January 2009 to fill Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's seat. HRC endorsed Kristen Gillibrand for the U.S. House last year, and sent a full time staff member for the last 12 weeks. Gillibrand will stand for reelection in November 2010 her website is www.kirstengillibrand.com.

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.