Lansing, MICHIGAN — Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) — the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization — condemned co-chairwoman of the Michigan Republican Party, Meshawn Maddock for labeling U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, a "weak little girl." Buttigieg is a former officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve and is openly gay.

Human Rights Campaign Michigan State Director Amritha Venkataraman released the following statement:

“The Human Rights Campaign strongly condemns Meshawn Maddock for her outwardly homophobic comment about Secretary Buttigieg. Secretary Buttigieg has committed his life to serving our country, from being an officer in the U.S. military to the Mayor of South Bend, and now as a member of the U.S. Cabinet. Maddock’s hateful rhetoric only further stigmatizes and endangers LGBTQ+ youth here in Michigan and across the country - youth that are already facing the weight of discrimination and isolation. People like her have no place in Michigan.”

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ+ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.