Washington, D.C, June 29, 2017 – Pride Fund to End Gun Violence PAC – America’s only national LGBTQ political organization solely focused on gun violence prevention – today announced its endorsement of five candidates for Virginia’s House of Delegates election. Danica Roem in House District 13, David Reid in House District 32, Kathleen Murphy in House District 34, Karrie Delaney in House District 67, and John Bell in House District 87.

“Danica is running a historic campaign in her lifelong home of House District 13, and is the first out transgender candidate to win a primary for Virginia’s House of Delegates. Pride Fund is proud to support Danica, a long-time local reporter, and help her make history as the first out trans state legislator ever elected and seated,” said Jason Lindsay, Executive Director of Pride Fund to End Gun Violence.

“David Reid is in tune with the needs of the constituents of House District 32, and is the kind of leader Virginians need in the House of Delegates,” said Lindsay, “He is well-versed in the policy of the gun safety debate, and he’s a strong advocate for commonsense gun reform. I know he will continue to be a strong voice in the House of Delegates,” Lindsay said. “Virginia must do more to reduce preventable hate violence that claims the lives of our LGBT brothers and sisters at a disproportionate rate, especially people of color, transgender women, and gay men,” said Reid.

Kathleen Murphy currently represents HD-34 and is running for re-election in this very competitive district. “Kathleen Murphy lost her brother to robbers and knows the tragedy of gun violence first hand. She is a strong supporter of commonsense gun safety reform and has passed two bills barring domestic abusers from getting access to firearms,” Jason Lindsay said. “Every year over 33,000 people in the U.S. die from gun related incidents. It is a public health crisis. I will continue to fight for common sense gun safety reforms to keep Virginians safe, especially our most vulnerable Virginians, like those in the LGBTQ community,” Murphy said.

“Karrie Delaney supports commonsense gun safety reforms like universal background checks and state funding for gun violence research. She’s a strong advocate for LGBTQ equality and Pride Fund is proud to support her campaign in House District 67,” said Jason Lindsay. “I’m proud to have the endorsement of Pride Fund today. It is offensive and irresponsible when Jim LeMunyon votes for bills that allow military grade weapons to be sold in our community and allow businesses to discriminate against the LGBTQ community under the cover of ‘religious freedom.’ I’m running for Delegate to be an advocate for a safe and welcoming Virginia for all,” Delaney said.

“John Bell is running for re-election in HD-87 and has been a consistent supporter of commonsense gun safety laws, and is an ally to the LGBTQ communities,” said Lindsay. “I've carried a gun in combat zones; that's why I know that common sense gun safety legislation like universal background checks is so important to make Virginians safer. I've also stood up for the LGBTQ community by sponsoring legislation that would include gender identity and sexual orientation to non-discrimination clauses in Virginia code. I will always put the safety of all Virginians over the special interests of the corporate gun lobby and groups who wish to put politics over equality," said Delegate John J. Bell.

Pride Fund has thoroughly reviewed the platform and records of these candidates to assess their commitment to protecting the rights of the LGBTQ and improving the safety of all Americans. These candidates represent the kind of leaders 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-LGBT candidates at the national 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

PO Box 32377
Washington, DC 20007
For more information, contact Taylor Houston at (860) 884-8853