WASHINGTON, DC, May 15, 2017 -- Pride Fund to End Gun Violence PAC – America’s only national LGBTQ political organization focused solely on gun violence prevention – announced today its endorsement of Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam for Governor of Virginia. Pride Fund endorsed Northam based on his longstanding commitment to championing LGBTQ equality and his support of common sense gun safety reform.
“Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam has been a consistent and strong advocate for commonsense gun safety laws and LGBTQ equality,” said Jason Lindsay, Executive Director of Pride Fund to End Gun Violence. “He supported marriage equality long before it became the politically correct thing to do, and he stood up to the NRA when it mattered most. Virginians deserve a Governor like Ralph Northam who will stand up for what’s right and keep all Virginians safe.”
“I’m honored to receive this endorsement from Pride Fund to End Gun Violence,” said Northam. “It is vital that we pass common sense gun safety laws and reject bigotry and hate here in Virginia. Pride Fund has turned tragedy into action, and I am proud to stand with them in this fight to keep all Americans safe. My record on these issues is clear – we must keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people, and there is no excuse to discriminate against Virginians based on whom they love – we must cherish and promote all Virginia families across the commonwealth.”
“Ralph Northam’s likely Republican opponent has dedicated himself to lining the pockets of gun manufacturers through his support of the radical gun lobby,” added Lindsay. “The majority of Virginians support common sense gun safety policies like comprehensive background checks. Virginia needs a leader like Lieutenant Ralph Northam who, as a state senator, voted for legislation to close the gun show loophole and voted to keep guns out of bars.”
Northam cosponsored bills as a state senator banning discrimination in public employment on the basis of sexual orientation or gender equality. He also cast the tie-breaking vote in favor of protecting LGBT public employees from discrimination in the workplace. For Ralph Northam’s entire career in elected office, he has supported marriage equality, and he will continue to defend the rights of all Virginians as Governor, regardless of their race, sex, gender identity or sexual orientation.
Pride Fund has thoroughly reviewed the platform and records of this candidate to assess Northam’s commitment to protecting the rights of the LGBTQ community and improving the safety of all Virginians. Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam represents the kind of leader we need, who won’t prioritize the special interests of the gun lobby over the safety of the American people.
About the Pride Fund to End Gun Violence
Pride Fund to End Gun Violence (Pride Fund) is a Political Action Committee (PAC), organized for the purpose of raising and spending money to elect pro-LGBTQ candidates at the national and state level who support sensible gun reforms.
To learn more visit www.pridefund.org. Like on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/pridefund and follow on Twitter: @Pride_Fund