Presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton, on Dec. 14, officially launched a new campaign coalition, LGBT for Hillary to raise awareness and increase support in the LGBT community.
In a Dec. 14 conference call with supporters to mark the launch, Clinton outlined LGBT-related issues her campaign would be addressing in the months ahead, among them drumming up support for the Equality Act, allowing transgender individuals to openly serve in the military and combatting increasing incidents of violence against transgender people as well.
"This was the year love trumped hate," Clinton said, referring to the Obergefell v. Hodges U.S. Supreme Court decision. "...[But] even as we celebrate progress, we shouldn't forget how much work lies ahead."
Clinton added, "There are some serious issues at stake. Every top-tier Republican candidate has gone on the record against marriage equality. … Just yesterday, Marco Rubio said he would appoint supreme court justices who would overturn marriage equality."
Clinton was introduced in the call by singer Ricky Martin, who will be campaigning for her. Athlete and activist Billie Jean King also spoke on the call, and said she and her partner, Ilana Kloss, have been active with LPAC ( Lesbian Political Action Committee ) on Clinton's behalf.
"Lesbians have a right to be at the table, and we have the right to use our voice," King said.
LGBT for Hillary is being headed up by Dominic Lowell, who was previously director of strategic partnerships for the Rock the Vote campaign.
"If we take Republicans at their word, all the priorities we've been fighting for could be stalled," Lowell said, adding that Clinton supporters "must make sure that our community shows up in this election."