30 Days of Pride!

June 27: Chad Griffin, President, Human Rights Campaign

This month, Chad Griffin became President of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest LGBT lobbying and advocacy organization.  Already, the Arkansas native is addressing head-on the issue of youth bullying with the release of a report, “Growing Up LGBT in America.”  The findings, using survey responses from more than 10,000 young people across the country, provide valuable insight into some of the most pressing issues LGBT teens face in their hometowns and schools.

Before taking the helm at HRC, Griffin was co-founder and president of the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER).  While at AFER, he led the way to bring the landmark federal lawsuit challenging California’s Proposition 8, which stripped marriage equality from gay and lesbian couples through an amendment to the state’s constitution. In the case, Perry v. Brown, formerly Perry v. Schwarzenegger, Prop 8 was ruled unconstitutional by the Ninth Circuit in California. A stay is currently in effect, and it is expected that opponents will appeal the case to the Supreme Court.

Among the many tasks before him at HRC, Griffin is committed to the work of ensuring full LGBT military equality in the U.S and said recently,“Repealing 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' was a landmark accomplishment for the community, but we know too well that our work to ensure equality in the military is not over.  From the lack of equal benefits to the categorical exclusion of transgender service members, we must continue our work just as the brave men and women fighting for our country continue theirs.”

SLDN welcomes Griffin as he takes the reigns at HRC and thanks him for his commitment to ensuring  full LGBT military equality in the U.S. armed forces.