Hillary Clinton Campaign Press Release - Iowans for Hillary Announces LGBT Leadership Council

31 Iowa LGBT leaders unite behind Hillary

DES MOINES, IA – Iowans for Hillary today announced the LGBT leadership council for Hillary, a group of 31 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered (LGBT) Iowa leaders who support Hillary Clinton. These community leaders have joined together to support Hillary because she is the most qualified and experienced candidate to provide equal rights for LGBT Americans, pass federal hate crime legislation and provide every American with health insurance. Across the Hawkeye State, the LGBT leadership council will work to increase LGBT participation in the caucuses for Hillary.

"Senator Clinton has demonstrated the strength and determination to provide a better future for all Americans," said Rich Eychaner of Des Moines. "She has the experience, the competency and the political will to forge a strong economy for while protecting all Americans from unjust social policies."

"I look at Hillary Clinton and I see a real leader who has the courage to fight for change," said Kim Painter of Iowa City. "She has been a staunch advocate for the GLBT community and has the strength and experience to fight for us as president."

"I am so pleased to have the support of these leaders from Iowa's LGBT community," said Senator Clinton. "I've heard from members of the LGBT community across Iowa and they are ready for change and ready for a president who will correct the errors of the Bush administration and rebuild the middle class economy. I will continue to fight for equal rights for all Americans as President."

Hillary has been a longtime friend of the LGBT community. She has fought for policies that promote equality, while taking a strong stand against forces that have tried to marginalize the LGBT community. As President, Hillary will replace the divisive leadership of the past six years and work with the LGBT community and allies in Congress to pass hate crimes legislation and overturn the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. She knows that working together, we can continue to combat hate and stand united for equality.

Iowa's LGBT Leadership Council:

Joe Apel – Waverly, Bremer County

Wartburg Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) member

Pat Brockett – Decorah, Winneshiek County

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) member

Heath Coulson – Waterloo, Black Hawk County

Writing instructor

Don L. Curry – Des Moines, Polk County

Book editor

Jason Dunn – Des Moines, Polk County

Attorney

Barb Ettleson – Decorah, Winneshiek County

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) member

Rich Eychaner – Des Moines, Polk County

Business owner and Philanthropist

John Fitzpatrick – Iowa City, Johnson County

Retired educator

Board of Directors, National Art Educators Association

Justin W. Hancock – Des Moines, Polk County

Senior Garden Editor, Meredith Corporation

Carolyn Jenison – Des Moines, Polk County

River Bend Association resident and neighborhood activist

Jessica Kardon – Iowa City, Johnson County

Psychiatric Nurse

Kasey Kincaid – Des Moines, Polk County

Attorney

Former Chair, Polk County Democratic Party

James Klostermann – Dubuque, Dubuque County

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) member

Gary Lawson – Davenport, Scott County

President of the Board of Directors, AIDS Project Quad Cities

Greg Link – Pella, Marion County

President, Common Ground, Central College

President, Coalition for a Multicultural Campus, Central College

Central College Student Senate

Bridget Malone – Iowa City, Johnson County

Chair, Iowa City Pride

Vice President, Connections

Rich McCarty, ABD – Iowa City, Johnson County

Department of Religious Ethics, University of Iowa

Kim Painter – Iowa City, Johnson County

Johnson County Recorder

Hersh Rodasky – Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County

Associate professor, Iowa Western Community College

Dennis Runde – Dubuque, Dubuque County

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) member

Bob Samon – Essex, Page County

Innkeeper, Railroad Inn

Campbell Spencer – Des Moines, Polk County

Former National LGBT Outreach Director for the Democratic National Committee and Gore-Lieberman 2000

Sandra Stevens – Iowa City, Johnson County

Board of Directors, Connections

David Stewart – Davenport, Scott County

Local activist

Maura Strassberg – Grinnell, Poweshiek County

Professor, Drake University Law School

Michael Terrill – Clinton, Clinton County

President, Clinton County Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

Treasurer, Iowa Chapter of the United States Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association

Mayetta Usher – Charles City, Floyd County

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) member

Renee Usher – Charles City, Floyd County

Vietnam Navy veteran Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) member

Susan E. Webster – Norwalk, Warren County

Realtor-Ecobroker

John Wilson – Waterloo, Black Hawk County

Editor of Accessline

Mike Yowell – Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County

Founder, Council Bluffs Community Alliance