WASHINGTON-Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, gave the following statement today on the death of retired U.S. Sen. Howard Metzenbaum of Ohio.

Solmonese said:

"With Sen. Metzenbaum's death, the GLBT community has lost a stalwart friend and dedicated ally. Sen. Metzenbaum was always ready to stand and fight for equality for all Americans. The GLBT community will be forever grateful for Sen. Metzenbaum's dedication to GLBT civil rights."

Sen. Metzenbaum served in the U.S. Senate for 19 years, where he was an early GLBT ally. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Sen. Metzenbaum fought against discriminatory HIV/AIDS legislation proposed by Sen. Jesse Helms, and was an outspoken supporter of Ryan White AIDS care funding. Following his retirement from the Senate in 1994, Sen. Metzenbaum served as chairman of the Consumer Federation of America, a post he held until his death.

The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against GLBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.