FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 18, 2008

Brad Luna | Phone: 202/216.1514 | Cell: 202/812.8140

Trevor Thomas | Phone: 202/216.1547 | Cell: 202/250.9758

Video Release

 Video from Human Rights Campaign, Florida Red and Blue Training Aimed at Stopping Anti-Gay Marriage Amendment

Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese kicked off series of educational trainings across Florida

WASHINGTON – Video from the first in a series of educational trainings to be held throughout Florida in advance of the January 29^th primary is now available. The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, is partnering with Florida Red and Blue to organize the trainings to mobilize and empower volunteers to engage voters while campaigning for fair-minded candidates and working against a proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage—already illegal in Florida. The amendment could appear on the November ballot. HRC President Joe Solmonese attended the first training in Orlando, held on January 15, and the second training in Ft. Lauderdale on January 16.

The educational trainings are a part of HRC’s comprehensive efforts to elect fair-minded candidates to office this election year. Following work in Iowa and New Hampshire, members of HRC’s national field team are now on the ground in Nevada and Minnesota as well as Florida. By maintaining a visible and sustained presence in these early states, issues important to the GLBT community will continue to be on the forefront of national political dialogue.

Additional trainings are being planned in Palm Beach, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Gainesville and Pensacola. A Miami training is also being planned by GLBT group SAVE Dade for January 17.

To view the video of the training, please visit: http://www.youtube.com/v/Q3ehCbFYa_U

Additional coverage is available on the HRC blog, www.HRCBackStory.org

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against GLBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.