High-profile lesbians in the US have launched
a new political action committee in order to campaign on women's
and gay rights in the run-up to the presidential elections.
Supported by Glee star Jane Lynch (pictured) and tennis
legend Billie Jean King amongst others, LPAC aims to raise at least
one million dollars in order to back pro-gay, pro-women candidates
and campaign for same-sex marriage and access to abortion
clinics.
LGBT human rights and women's reproductive health have already
become stand-out issues in the electoral campaign, with President
Obama making history with his pro-equal marriage statements. His
Republican opponent Mitt Romney has stated his lack of support for
same-sex marriage and is strongly against abortion rights.
"This year we have seen politicians repeatedly support policies
that harm women. It is important to me to elect leaders who care
about issues that impact women and their families. That's why I
support LPAC," said Lynch.
LPAC is expected to throw its support behind congresswoman Tammy
Baldwin, who is set to become the first out lesbian senator if she
wins her election campaign in Wisconsin.
Sarah Schmidt, LPAC's chair and a Chicago businesswoman,
commented: "The Republican party is continuing to attack lesbian's
rights and women's rights. I want to wake up the day after the
election and know that I did everything I could to defeat
that."
Other movers and shakers who have pitched their weight behind
LPAC include veteran gay rights activist Urvashi Vaid, the
part-owner of the Chicago Cubs baseball team Laura Ricketts and
public relations expert Valerie Berlin.
