Washington - Today the Human Rights Campaign announced the endorsement of Lynn Nunes for the New York State Senate. Nunes, a strong supporter of marriage equality, is running in Queens, NY to unseat State Senator Shirley Huntley who voted against marriage equality.

"With equality hanging in the balance, Lynn Nunes is the leader New York needs to ensure every family is treated equally," said HRC President Joe Solmonese. "LGBT people and our allies remember the sting of last year's marriage equality loss and are determined to elect leaders who won't back down when equality is at stake."

Last month, the Human Rights Campaign launched the HRC Campaign for New York Marriage with the message to anti-marriage state senators: "we're coming to get you." For information on the previously endorsed candidates, or to get involved in these critical races, go to: visit www.hrc.org/NYMarriage.

"Equal marriage is part of my vision for New York and I'm proud to have the support of the Human Rights Campaign to make that vision a reality," said Nunes. "It's time we shake things up in Albany and get our state back on track."

Empire State Pride Agenda also announced their endorsement of Nunes today. ESPA Executive Director Ross Levi said: "The LGBT community is uniting around pro-equality candidates and working together to ensure equality for same-sex couples. ESPA and HRC will continue to work in partnership with our coalition to put us over the finish line on marriage and all our LGBT equality issues."

The HRC Campaign for New York Marriage is working closely with allies and key campaigns to deliver the help they need such as fundraising, campaign workers, door to door canvassing and phone banks. In addition, the Campaign for New York Marriage is strengthening and building coalitions of community, business and faith leaders and mobilizing HRC's 70,000 New York members, supporters and donors.

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.